State of the art, gaps and future perspectives on common kestrel ecotoxicology

Anthropogenic activities have caused a steady decline of common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) since the 1980 s. Effects, especially sublethal effects of contaminants, need to be investigated to ensure the conservation of this species. Data about countries, biological material, contaminants classes, and methodological approaches were collected from scientific publications to highlight gaps on common kestrel toxicology and ecotoxicology. We found that most studies have been conducted in Europe and in the field, underlining a lack of in vitro studies. The studies investigated mainly contaminant levels, while sublethal effects, evaluation of emerging contaminants and use of non-invasive or low-invasive samples were scarce. This work shows important gaps on toxicological status of the common kestrel, highlighting the importance of developing a non-lethal approach that combines responses at different levels of biological organization, as well as data on chemical contamination and on the environment in which the different populations inhabit

Investigation of mechanisms underlying chaotic genetic patchiness in the intertidal marbled crab Pachygrapsus marmoratus (Brachyura: Grapsidae) across the Ligurian Sea

Abstract Background Studies on marine community dynamics and population structures are limited by the lack of exhaustive knowledge on the larval dispersal component of connectivity. Genetic data represents a powerful tool in understanding such processes in the marine realm. When dealing with dispersion and connectivity in marine ecosystems, many evidences show patterns of genetic structure that cannot be explained by any clear geographic trend and may show temporal instability. This scenario is usually referred to as chaotic genetic patchiness, whose driving mechanisms are recognized to be selection, temporal shifts in local population dynamics, sweepstakes reproductive success and collective dispersal. In this study we focused on the marbled crab Pachygrapsus marmoratus that inhabits the rocky shores of the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and East Atlantic Ocean, and disperses through planktonic larvae for about 1 month. P. marmoratus exhibits unexpectedly low connectivity levels at local scale, although well-defined phylogeographic patterns across the species’ distribution range were described. This has been explained as an effect of subtle geographic barriers or due to sweepstake reproductive success. In order to verify a chaotic genetic patchiness scenario, and to explore mechanisms underlying it, we planned our investigation within the Ligurian Sea, an isolated basin of the western Mediterranean Sea, and we genotyped 321 individuals at 11 microsatellite loci. Results We recorded genetic heterogeneity among our Ligurian Sea samples with the occurrence of genetic clusters not matching the original populations and a slight inter-population divergence, with the geographically most distant populations being the genetically most similar ones. Moreover, individuals from each site were assigned to all the genetic clusters. We also recorded evidences of self-recruitment and a higher than expected within-site kinship. Conclusions Overall, our results suggest that the chaotic genetic patchiness we found in P. marmoratus Ligurian Sea populations is the result of a combination of differences in reproductive success, en masse larval dispersion and local larval retention. This study defines P. marmoratus as an example of marine spawner whose genetic pool is not homogenous at population level, but rather split in a chaotic mosaic of slightly differentiated genetic patches derived from complex and dynamic ecological processes

A blood-based multi-biomarker approach reveals different physiological responses of common kestrels to contrasting environments

The increase of urbanization and agricultural activities is causing a dramatic reduction of natural environments. As a consequence, animals need to physiologically adjust to these novel environments, in order to exploit them for foraging and breeding. The aim of this work was to compare the physiological status among nestling common kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) that were raised in nest-boxes located in more natural, rural, or urban areas in a landscape with a mosaic of land uses around Rome in Central Italy. A blood-based multi-biomarker approach was applied to evaluate physiological responses at multiple levels, including antioxidant concentrations, immunological functions, genotoxicity, and neurotoxicity. We found lower concentrations of glutathione and GSH:GSSG ratio values and higher proportions of monocytes in urban birds compared to the other areas. We also found higher DNA damage in rural compared to urban and natural krestels and inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase activity in urban and natural birds compared to rural area. Finally, we found similar values among study areas for respiratory burst, complement system, bactericidal capacity, and plasma non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity. These results suggest that (i) city life does not necessarily cause physiological alterations in kestrels compared to life in other habitats, and (ii) environmental pressures are likely to differ in typology and intensity across habitats requiring specific responses that a multi-biomarker approach can help to detect. Further studies are needed to assess which factors are responsible for the physiological differences among city, rural, and natural birds, and whether these differences are consistent across time and space

El contacto entre las zonas de Ossa Morena y Sudportuguesa. Características y significado de la banda metamórfica de Aracena, en su sector central entre Aroche y Aracena (Huelva)

El contacto entre las zonas de Ossa Morena y Sudportuguesa está subrayado por la banda metamórfica de Aracena. Las características principales de esta región del macizo Ibérico pueden considerarse desde distintos puntos de vista: litológico, estructural, metamórfico, magmático, geoquímica, isotópico y experimental, y así se presentan en este artículo. La banda metamórfica de Aracena está dividida en dos dominios principales: el dominio oceánico está formado por metabasitas derivadas de un MORB (las metabasitas de Acebuches) y por un antiguo prisma de acrección. El dominio continental incluye gneises y migmatitas alumínicos, rocas de silicatos cálcicos, gneises leucocráticos, mármoles, anfibolitas, intrusiones sin/post-tectónicas de noritas ricas en Mg (con afinidad boninítica), así como rocas intrusivas post-tectónicas de composición ácida a básica. Las metabasitas de Acebuches sufrieron, en primer lugar, un metamorfismo de alta temperatura/baja presión que, en la actualidad, presenta un gradiente metamórfico invertido, y que estaba relacionado con un cabalgamiento vergente al SO. El pico térmico asociado a este evento metamórfico muestra un gradiente de edad, de forma que las edades más antiguas han sido obtenidas en el extremo oeste. La mitad inferior de la pila metabasítica de Acebuches fue afectada posteriormente por una deformación milonítica y un retrometamorfismo asociados a la zona de cizalla Sudibérica. Cuatro fases de deformación dúctil han sido definidas en el dominio continental: la fase CD-D1 estuvo relacionada con la generación de pliegues recumbentes de escala kilométrica. La fase CD-D2 se puede asociar a un colapso extensional, y es contemporánea con un metamorfismo de alta temperatura/baja presión que afectó al dominio continental y generó diversos complejos migmatíticos. La fase CD-D3 produjo pliegues simétricos verticales, mientras que la fase CD-D4 dio lugar a cabalgamientos vergentes al sur a los que se asociaron pliegues de propagación.Las principales características de la banda metamórfica de Aracena se interpretan como el resultado de la evolución de un punto triple de tipo fosa-fosa-dorsal. De acuerdo con el modelo propuesto, la interacción entre la dorsal y la zona de subducción dio como resultado la formación de una ventana astenosférica bajo el margen continental cabalgante, lo cual provocó el ascenso de la astenosfera y el consecuente rebote térmico. Esta unión triple migro a lo largo del margen continental hacia el este, lo que generó un cinturón metamórfico de alta temperatura/baja presión en el contacto entre las zonas de Ossa Morena y Sudportuguesa

Multi-biomarker approach and IBR index to evaluate the effects of different contaminants on the ecotoxicological status of Apis mellifera

The honeybee, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), a keystone pollinator of wild plant species and agricultural crops, is disappearing globally due to parasites and diseases, habitat loss, genetic constraints, beekeeper management issues and to the widespread use of pesticides. Besides insecticides, widely studied in this species, honeybees are also exposed to herbicides and fungicides and heavy metals whose lethal and sublethal effects need to be investigated. In this context, our study aimed to evaluate the effects of fungicides and of heavy metals on honeybees and to develop and apply a multi-biomarker approach that include an Integrated Biological Index (IBRv2) to assess the toxicological status of this species. Biomarkers of neurotoxicity (AChE and CaE), metabolic alteration (ALP, and GST) and immune system (LYS, granulocytes) were measured, following honeybees’ exposure to cadmium or to a crop fungicide, using the genotoxic compound EMS as positive control. A biomarker of genotoxicity (NA assay) was developed and applied for the first time in honeybees. At the doses tested, all the contaminants showed sublethal toxicity to the bees, highlighting in particular genotoxic effects. The data collected were analyzed by an IBRv2 index, which integrated the seven biomarkers used in this study. IBRv2 index increased with increasing cadmium or fungicide concentrations. The IBRv2 represents a simple tool for a general description of honeybees ecotoxicological health status. Results highlight the need for more in-depth investigations on the effects of fungicides on non-target organisms, such as honeybees, using sensitive methods for the determination of sublethal effects. This study contributes to the development of a multi-biomarker approach to be used for a more accurate ecotoxicological environmental monitoring of these animals

A multibiomarker approach to evaluate the impact of anthropogenic contaminants on the ecotoxicological status of honey bees, Apis mellifera

A rapid decline of Apis mellifera, a keystone pollinator of wild plant species and agricultural crops, was recorded worldwide in recent years. The massive use of insecticides and fungicides in agriculture associated with pollution generated by other human activities and presence of parasites can cause toxicological effects in bees including a decrease of the immune defences, leading to the collapse of the colonies. Effective assessment of the ecotoxicological impacts of anthropogenic contaminants requires an approach that combines different biomarkers that enable a more precise diagnosis of exposure to environmental stressors through a combination of different biological responses. The aim of this study was to develop and apply a set of biomarkers to study the ecotoxicological status of honey bees. In the first phase, we investigated in the laboratory the effects of EMS, cadmium and a commercial fungicide (azoxistrobin 18.2% and ciproconazole 7.3%) in adult honey bees, evaluating eventual variation in glutathione S-transferase (GST), carboxylesterase (CaE), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lysozyme, erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities (ENA) assay and differential haemocytes count (DHC). Genotoxic effects, as well as alteration of the immune system, were found in bees treated with EMS, cadmium or the fungicide. Cadmium and the fungicide also inhibited AChE and CaE activities, GST was induced by all the compounds investigated. In the second phase, adult honey bees were collected from apiaries located in four environments characterized by different chemical input: a wooded environment (low input), an urban site, an orchard and a cultivated countryside site. Honey bees from the urban site were also collected and analyzed before and after treatment for parasites. ENA assay showed that bees taken from the countryside and the orchard had a greater number of abnormalities compared to the forest, confirming the presence of genotoxic substances in agricultural environments compared to control environments. GST activity was induced in bees from the urban environment, AChE was inhibited in the countryside compared to the forest, suggesting the presence of substances with neurotoxic effect in this environment. ALP activity was induced in all sites in comparison to wooded one. The bees collected after the parasites treatment showed an increase for GST activity as well as AChE inhibition

Effects of copper on larvae of the marbled crab Pachygrapsus marmoratus (Decapoda, Grapsidae): toxicity test and biochemical marker responses

The importance of trace elements in ecotoxicological investigations is a well-known issue when monitoring polluted areas such as commercial harbors. Copper represents one of the most common metal contaminants, often detected in these areas as it is widely employed in various fields and has many sources of inflow in the marine environment. Pachygrapsus marmoratus is a widespread intertidal crab species that has been extensively studied in ecology, ethology and population genetics. Ecotoxicological studies have also been performed, exclusively on the adult stage. In the present study we investigated the mortality and biochemical (oxidative stress and neurotoxicity) responses of P. marmoratus larvae exposure to environmental relevant concentration of copper. Results showed dose-dependent responses in terms of larval mortality, with a calculated LC50 value of 0.5 mg/L of Cu2+. The LC50 concentration was used as the starting point for subsequent biochemical response evaluation. Results also demonstrated dose-dependent activation of antioxidant systems assuming a compensatory antioxidant activity to prevent higher cellular damage when larvae were exposed to the highest concentrations of copper. Moreover, a significant enhancement of neurotransmitter activities was observed, assuming a possible direct interaction of copper with the enzymes or an increase of free copper ion aliquot into the cells.publishe

Enrichment of trace elements in the clay size fraction of mining soils

Reactive waste dumps with sulfide minerals pro- 14 mote acid mine drainage (AMD), which results in water and 15 soil contamination by metals and metalloids. In these systems, 16 contamination is regulated by many factors, such as mineral- 17 ogical composition of soil and the presence of sorption sites 18 on specific mineral phases. So, the present study dedicates 19 itself to understanding the distribution of trace elements in 20 different size fractions (<2-mm and <2-μm fractions) of min- 21 ing soils and to evaluate the relationship between chemical 22 and mineralogical composition. Cerdeirinha and Penedono, 23 located in Portugal, were the waste dumps under study. The 24 results revealed that the two waste dumps have high degree of 25 contamination by metals and arsenic and that these elements 26 are concentrated in the clay size fraction. Hence, the higher 27 degree of contamination by toxic elements, especially arsenic 28 in Penedono as well as the role of clay minerals, jarosite, and 29 goethite in retaining trace elements has management implica- 30 tions. Such information must be carefully thought in the reha- 31 bilitation projects to be planned for both waste dumps

Potential toxic elements in stream sediments, soils and waters in an abandoned radium mine (central Portugal)

The Alto da Várzea radium mine (AV) exploited ore and U-bearing minerals, such as autunite and torbernite. The mine was exploited underground from 1911 to 1922, closed in 1946 without restoration, and actually a commercial area is deployed. Stream sediments, soils and water samples were collected between 2008 and 2009. Stream sediments are mainly contaminated in As, Th, U and W, which is related to the AV radium mine. The PTEs, As, Co, Cr, Sr, Th, U, W, Zn, and electrical conductivity reached the highest values in soils collected inside the mine influence. Soils are contaminated with As and U and must not be used for any purpose. Most waters have pH values ranging from 4.3 to 6.8 and are poorly mineralized (EC = 41-186 µS/cm; TDS = 33-172 mg/L). Groundwater contains the highest Cu, Cr and Pb contents. Arsenic occurs predominantly as H2(AsO4)- and H(AsO4)2-. Waters are saturated in goethite, haematite and some of them also in lepidocrocite and ferrihydrite, which adsorbs As (V). Lead is divalent in waters collected during the warm season, being mobile in these waters. Thorium occurs mainly as Th(OH)3(CO3)-, Th(OH)2(CO3) and Th(OH)2(CO3) 22- , which increase water Th contents. Uranium occurs predominantly as UO2CO3, but CaUO2(CO3) 32- and CaUO2(CO3)3 also occur, decreasing its mobility in water. The waters are contaminated in NO2-, Mn, Cu, As, Pb and U and must not be used for human consumption and in agricultural activities. The water contamination is mainly associated with the old radium mine and human activities. A restoration of the mining area with PTE monitoring is necessary to avoid a public hazard.Thanks are due to Prof. Joao Coutinho for the determination of organic matter and cation exchange capacity in samples of stream sediments and soils and A. Rodrigues for the water analyses, EDM for some information on the Alto da Varzea mine area. This study had the support of Portuguese Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT), through the strategic projects UID/GEO/04035/2013 and UID/MAR/04292/2013 (MARE).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio