European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis persica) as a biomarker of environmental pollution in Golestan and Mazandaran provinces, Iran

Anthropogenic environmental changes are hypothesized as main reasons for animal species population declines. Heavy metals contamination is one of the worst threats to animals among human-caused threats. As most of the heavy metals bioaccumulate in organisms, analyzing concentrations of heavy metals in long living animals, such as turtles, would be very useful for biomonitoring of environmental quality. The European pond turtle is classified as a Near Threatened in the red list of International Union for Conservation of Nature. The objective of this study was to obtain information on heavy metals contamination in this species, as a sentinels, to evaluate the overall health of both the European pond turtles and their ecosystem in Golestan and Mazandaran provinces. Biological samples of 10 living and 15 dead European pond turtles were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer for Zn, Pb, Cu, and Cd contaminations. Highest concentration of Zn (202.6 \ub1 58.5 \u3bcg g-1), Cd (4.4 \ub1 1.3 \u3bcg g-1) and Cu (3.8 \ub1 1.7 \u3bcg g-1) was detected in livers and the highest accumulation of Pb (45.6 \ub116.3 \u3bcg g-1) occurred in kidneys. Positive correlations were detected among Zn, Pb and Cd tissue concentrations and carapaces curve length. Heavy metal levels were higher in males than females. Heavy metals contamination of sampled turtles stood in high degree. However, there is clearly a need to evaluate heavy metals physiologic effects on European pond turtles

Induced Reproduction of Aphanius fasciatus by Ecophysiological Conditioning and Hormonal Treatment in Fresh and Marine Water

The Mediterranean toothcarp (Aphanius fasciatus) can be used to biologically control mosquito larvae. The reproductive performance of 234 Mediterranean toothcarp (180 females and 54 males) was investigated. Reproductive factors were determined in fish kept in fresh or saline water (males and females together), and in fish kept separately by sex in saline water and hormonally-treated with carp pituitary extract (CPE). In the hormonally-treated group, the combined effect of temperature, photoperiod, and hormonal treatment induced the best ovary maturation and larvae production rates. The rate of reproduction was very high (average eggs/female: 5.9-10.5) compared to natural reproduction in the wild (average eggs/female: 2-4). Additionally, the hatching rate was 97-100%. The results of this study show that reproduction of Mediterranean toothcarp can be controlled in an artificial environment: the lack of mortality in adults during acclimation and conditioning in fresh and marine waters indicates good domestication and plasticity in reproductive parameters

Toksikološko istraživanje divlje populacije srne (Capreolus capreolus) i jelena (Cervus elaphus) ispitivanjem zuba

Heavy metal content was evaluated in the teeth of roe deer and red deer. No differences in heavy metal concentrations between sampling areas or species were observed. A similar deposition process can be considered for the two species, as well as a similar chronic exposure levels.U zubima srne i jelena mjeren je sadržaj teških metala. Nije primijećena razlika u koncentracijama metala ni između različitih područja prikupljanja uzoraka, niti između vrsta. Za obje vrste može se pretpostaviti sličan proces taloženja metala, kao i slična razina kronične ekspozicije

Gonadal Development in European Eel Populations of North Adriatic Lagoons at Different Silvering Stages

The European eel (Anguilla anguilla, Linnaeus 1758) is a catadromous fish with significant cultural, scientific, and commercial value. The protection of this species is particularly difficult because the biology of the eel life cycle remains unknown in many aspects. The European eel (A. anguilla) population has declined alarmingly over the past 30 years; this condition has led to questions about the long-term welfare of this species. This work aims to perform a histological analysis on gonad samples from European eels coming from four different lagoons of the North Adriatic at different stages of silvering, and to evaluate the maturation of the gonads. For this study, a total of 859 wild eels were captured from four different lagoons using the “lavoriero”. Subsequently, the biometric parameters were collected. Seventy-nine female eels were randomly selected, dissected, and the gonads were removed for histological analysis. Sections of 4 m were cut and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Histological observations of germ cells at the light microscopy level allowed for the characterization of six steps of oocyte maturation. Valle di Comacchio had the highest levels of oocyte maturation, while Valle Ca’ Pasta had the lowest. Eels with silver index III had an oocyte maturation nearly equal to that of eels at stages IV and V of silvering. Considering the results, we can affirm that eels from North Adriatic lagoons have high oocyte maturation levels and high GSI value indices at silvering stage III. The following experimental work shows that the levels of oocyte maturation are higher even at lower silver index levels. It can be hypothesized that in these eels, the transition from yellow to silver eel occurs faster in relation to the high trophic availability in North Adriatic lagoons

Distinguishing personal belief from scientific knowledge for the betterment of killer whale welfare – a commentary

We contest publication of Marino et al. regarding captive killer whale (Orcinus orca) welfare because of misrepresentations of available data and the use of citations that do not support assertions. Marino et al. misrepresent stress response concepts and erroneously cite studies, which appear to support Marino et al.’s philosophical beliefs regarding the cetacean hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. To be clear, these misrepresentations are not differences of scientific opinion, as the authors’ conclusions lack any scientific basis. More extensive review of Marino et al.’s citations reveal a dearth of empirical evidence to support their assertions. Further, Marino et al.’s approach to animal welfare is not consistent with conventional veterinary approaches to animal welfare, including their apparent opposition to use of preventative and therapeutic veterinary interventions. While Marino et al. argue that killer whales’ cognitive and spatial needs preclude management of this species under human care, misrepresentation of the citations used to support this opinion invalidates their arguments. Misleading interpretations of data relative to killer whales’ cognitive and emotional needs and specious and unsubstantiated comparisons with states experienced by humans with posttraumatic stress disorder and other conditions, represent a number of strategies used to misrepresent knowledge regarding killer whale welfare. These misrepresentations and fallacies are inconsistent with scientific ethical standards for credible, peer-reviewed journals (ICMJE, 2018), and are barriers to rigorous discourse and identification of strategies for optimizing killer whale welfare. Assertions in the paper amount to nothing more than a compilation of conclusory, philosophical statements. We would also like to mention that manuscripts such as Marino et al.’s do great damage to the fields of comparative psychology and to behavioral science as a whole

Accumulation of As, Cd, Pb, and Zn in sediment, chironomids and fish from a high-mountain lake: First insights from the Carnic Alps

Though mountain lakes are generally much less influenced by human activities than other habitats, anthropogenic threats can still alter their natural condition. Amajor source of global environmental pollution inmountain ecosystems is trace element contamination. For this studywe investigated for the first time the accumulation of As, Cd, Pb, and Zn in sediment, Diptera Chironomidae (prey), and bullhead Cottus gobio (predator) in a typical high-mountain lake (Dimon Lake) in the Carnic Alps. Significant differences in trace element levels were observed between sediment, Diptera Chironomidae, and C. gobio liver and muscle samples (Kruskal-Wallis test; p b .03 for all elements). As and Pb levels were highest in sediment, Cd and Zn levels were highest in Diptera Chironomidae, and the lowest values for all elementswere measured in C. gobio muscle and liver. Bioaccumulation factor values weremuch higher in Diptera Chironomidae than fish muscle and liver, with the highest values recorded for Cd (5.16) and Zn (4.37). Trophic transfer factor valueswere very lowfor all elements in fish muscle and liver, suggesting a biodilution effect along the food chain. Further studies are needed to expand on these first findings that provide useful insights to inform environmental monitoring and policy in remote high-mountain lakes

Distinguishing personal belief from scientific knowledge for the betterment of killer whale welfare \u2013 a commentary

We contest publication of Marino et al. regarding captive killer whale (Orcinus orca) welfare because of misrepresentations of available data and the use of citations that do not support assertions. Marino et al. misrepresent stress response concepts and erroneously cite studies, which appear to support Marino et al.\u2019s philosophical beliefs regarding the cetacean hypothalamic\u2013pituitary\u2013adrenal axis. To be clear, these misrepresentations are not differences of scientific opinion, as the authors\u2019 conclusions lack any scientific basis. More extensive review of Marino et al.\u2019s citations reveal a dearth of empirical evidence to support their assertions. Further, Marino et al.\u2019s approach to animal welfare is not consistent with conventional veterinary approaches to animal welfare, including their apparent opposition to use of preventative and therapeutic veterinary interventions. While Marino et al. argue that killer whales\u2019 cognitive and spatial needs preclude management of this species under human care, misrepresentation of the citations used to support this opinion invalidates their arguments. Misleading interpretations of data relative to killer whales\u2019 cognitive and emotional needs and specious and unsubstantiated comparisons with states experienced by humans with posttraumatic stress disorder and other conditions, represent a number of strategies used to misrepresent knowledge regarding killer whale welfare. These misrepresentations and fallacies are inconsistent with scientific ethical standards for credible, peer-reviewed journals (ICMJE, 2018), and are barriers to rigorous discourse and identification of strategies for optimizing killer whale welfare. Assertions in the paper amount to nothing more than a compilation of conclusory, philosophical statements. We would also like to mention that manuscripts such as Marino et al.\u2019s do great damage to the fields of comparative psychology and to behavioral science as a whole

Postmortem Health and Pollution Investigations on Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina) of the Islands Helgoland and Sylt

Helgoland and Sylt are important centers of tourism in the North Sea. Harbor and grey seals are one reason for the attraction of these islands. However, little is known about these local seal groups. The present postmortem health and pollution study describes a multiparameter investigation of five ill harbor seals which were shot for animal welfare reasons. Firstly, results of pathology and blood investigations support the bad prognosis of survival made in the field. Signs of inflammation in organs, malnutrition, a high-stress level, and reduced thyroid activity were found. Secondly, metal and organic contaminants were investigated. Metal pollutants in blood, liver, muscle, and kidney tissue were not elevated. Lead and mercury concentrations showed a decreased level compared to former studies. Additionally, interesting insights were found for several organic contaminants in comparison with other studies. The Helgoland seals may be influenced by the contaminants of the Elbe plume