Chlorinated pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls and potentially toxic heavy metals in organs of white-tailed eagles and northern goshawks

Die gesamte Dissertation können Sie als gezippten tar-File oder als zip-File laden. Durch Anklicken der Kapitelüberschriften können Sie das Kapitel in PDF-Format laden: Titelblatt und Inhaltsverzeichnis Vorwort Kapitel 1: Einleitung und Überblick Kapitel 2: Heavy metals in soft tissue of white-tailed eagles found dead or moribund in Germany and Austria from 1993 to 2000 Kapitel 3: Organochlorine contaminants in body tissue of free-ranging white- tailed eagles from northern regions of Germany Kapitel 4: Environmental contaminants in organs of free-ranging northern goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) from three regions of Germany Synthese Summary Publikationen, Vorträge, PosterIn dieser Studie wurden Organproben, sowohl von 145 Seeadlern (Haliaeetus albicilla) aus Deutschland und z.T. aus Österreich, als auch von 62 Habichten (Accipiter gentilis) aus regional unterschiedlichen Populationen auf chlororganische Pestizide, polychlorierte Biphenyle (PCB) und potentiell toxische Schwermetalle analysiert. Eine signifikante Abnahme von Hexachlorbenzol und für DDT, und dessen Metabolit DDE, in Leberproben von 127 Seeadlern von 1990 bis 2001 konnte gezeigt werden. Diese Abnahme der DDT- Konzentrationen, nach dem Verbot von DDT in der DDR im Jahre 1988, wird mit der aktuell verbesserten Reproduktion der Seeadler diskutiert. Die Organ- Konzentrationen von gamma-Hexachlorcylohexan, PCB 28 und PCB 52 sind vernachlässigbar gering, insbesondere die höher chlorierten Biphenyle (PCB 118, PCB 138, PCB 153, PCB 180) akkumulieren in der Leber und im Fettgewebe. Die Interpretation der Konzentrationen der chlorierten Kohlenwasserstoffe (CKW) ist durch die starke Abhängigkeit von dem individuellen Ernährungszustand des Vogels erschwert. Mit der Metabolisierung von Fettreserven werden die lipophilen CKW mobilisiert und über das Blut im Organismus verteilt, dabei kommt es zu einer Akkumulation von CKW in metabolisch stark aktiven Organen, wie z.B. der Leber. Dadurch haben Vögel mit abnehmenden Fettreserven höhere Organwerte für CKW. Während nur ein Seeadler aus dem Jahre 1979 extrem hohe Leberkonzentrationen für DDT hatte, die eine letale Intoxikation vermuten lassen, konnte eine weiterhin bestehende starke Gefährdung für Seeadler gezeigt werden. Von 57 Seeadlern aus Deutschland und Österreich hatten 28% der Vögel Bleikonzentrationen in der Leber, die eine Bleiintoxikation anzeigen. Die Quellen einer Bleiexposition bei Greifvögeln sind das Erbeuten von angeschossenen und dadurch gehandicapter Wildtiere, z.B. von Wasservögel, der Verzehr von angeschossenen und anschließend verendeter Wildtiere oder von bleihaltigem Wildaufbruch. Die Organkonzentrationen von Quecksilber (Hg) sind deutlich niedriger als zu Zeiten, als Hg-Verbindungen als Saatgutbeizmittel in der Landwirtschaft verwendet wurden. Die Konzentrationen von Cadmium sind in der Regel in der Niere zwei- bis zehnfach höher als in der Leber und im Bereich der natürlichen Hintergrundkonzentrationen bei Wildvögeln. Eine akute Bleivergiftung konnte bei einem Habicht diagnostiziert werden. Zwei weitere hatten Bleikonzentrationen in den Organen, die eine Bleiexposition anzeigen. Alle weiteren Schwermetallkonzentrationen lagen im Bereich der natürlichen Hintergrundkontamination. Die Organkonzentrationen für Cadmium entsprechen der Verteilung, die bereits bei den Seeadlern beschrieben wurde. Signifikant höhere Leberkonzentrationen für DDT hatten Habichte aus Berlin und Brandenburg im Vergleich mit Habichten aus Niedersachsen. Diese hohen DDT-Werte werden durch die verstärkte DDT-Applikation in den Jahren 1983/84 und das späte Verbot von DDT in der DDR, als auch die ehemalige Herstellung von DDT innerhalb Berlins diskutiert. Stark kontaminierte Stadttauben als Hauptbeutetier der Berliner Habichte werden als Vektor für deren hohe CKW- Belastung vermutet. Wie bei Seeadlern besteht ein signifikanter Zusammenhang zwischen dem Ernährungszustand und den Organkonzentrationen der CKW.In the present study, we examined organs of 145 white-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) from Germany and 5 specimen from Austria, as well as 62 northern goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) from different regions of Germany for their organ concentrations of chlorinated pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and potentially toxic heavy metals. We proved a significant decline of DDT concentrations in livers of 127 white-tailed eagles (WTE) collected between 1990 and 2001. Considering the final ban of DDT in the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) in 1988, the decline of DDT concentrations in organs of WTE and the improved reproduction and the population increase in northern Germany in recent years are discussed. The concentrations for gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane, PCB 28 and PCB 52 were negligible. The penta-, hexa-, heptachlorinated biphenyls (PCB 118, PCB 138, PCB 153, PCB 180) accumulate in hepatic and adipose tissue, respectively. Interpretation of these organ concentrations was difficult, because individual body condition revealed a strongly negative relationship with hepatic contaminant concentrations. During catabolic metabolism the stored body fat is metabolized and the lipophilic organochlorines (OC) are mobilized and distributed through the blood stream to highly metabolic active organs, e.g. the liver. Therefore birds with decreasing fat deposits had elevated concentrations of the OC in the liver. One adult WTE, found dead in the year 1979, had hepatic concentrations for DDT that were assumed for a lethal intoxication. However, we proved that WTE are at high risk for metal toxicosis. Twenty-eight percent (28%) out of 57 free-ranging WTE from Germany and Austria had elevated lead concentrations in their liver, indicating lethal lead exposure. Birds of prey are exposed to lead ammunition through foraging of shot-crippled and therefore handicapped prey, e.g. waterfowl, and scavenging of shot game or gut piles. We measured mercury concentrations in organs, which were far below the concentrations reported in studies conducted during the period when mercury compounds were used as seed dressings. The concentrations for cadmium were in general two up to ten magnitudes higher in kidneys than in liver tissue. All cadmium concentrations were considered to be harmless for birds. One out of 62 examined goshawks was diagnosed for lethal lead poisoning. Two further goshawks had lead concentrations in their organs, which were indicative for acute lead exposure. Goshawks from Berlin and Brandenburg had significantly higher hepatic concentrations for DDT than birds from Lower Saxony. These higher DDT concentrations in goshawks from regions of the former GDR were assumed to result from application of DDT in the years 1983 and 1984 in Brandenburg and the overall late ban of DDT in these regions. Furthermore, we discuss the manufacturing of DDT in Berlin during the past as a local source for the extraordinary high DDT concentrations in some "urban" goshawks from Berlin. Highly contaminated feral pigeons as main prey were suspected as vectors for these high levels of chlorinated contaminants in the livers of goshawks in Berlin. Similar to the WTE we proved a strong relationship between individual body condition and organ concentrations for the OCs. Beside the three goshawks with high lead concentrations, all other metal concentrations in organs were harmless and in the range of background contaminations. The organ distributions for cadmium is similar to those described for the WTE

To get sick or not to get sick—Trichomonas infections in two Accipiter species from Germany

Trichomonosis caused by the flagellate Trichomonas gallinae is one of the most important avian diseases worldwide. The parasite is localised in the oesophageal area of its host and mainly infects pigeon and dove species. During the last decade, a host expansion to passerine birds occurred, making the disease a potential threat for passerine predators as naïve host species. Here, we investigated the effect of the parasite on two Accipiter species in Germany which show a comparable lifestyle but differ in prey choice, the Northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) mainly hunting pigeons and the Eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) mainly feeding on passerines. We genetically identified the parasite strains using the Fe-Hydrogenase gene as marker locus and compared the incidence of parasite presence and clinical signs of trichomonosis between nestlings of the two Accipiter species. In total, we identified 14 strains, with nine strains unknown so far. There was a higher strain diversity and prevalence of Trichomonas spp. in goshawks than sparrowhawks (42.4% vs. 21.2%) whereas sparrowhawks when being infected more often displayed clinical signs of trichomonosis than goshawks (37.1% vs. 6.1%). Even though sparrowhawks were mainly infected with the finch epidemic strain and genetic data indicated some variation between isolates, no correlation with virulence could be detected. All in all, goshawks seem to be better adapted to Trichomonas infections, whereas to sparrowhawks, this is a novel disease with more severe manifestations, from individual morbidity to a higher risk of population decline caused by trichomonosis

Mitochondrial DNA and nuclear microsatellites reveal high diversity and genetic structure in an avian top predator, the white-tailed sea eagle, in central Europe

We analysed 123 white-tailed sea eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) from (primarily central) Europe with respect to variability and differentiation based on 499 bp of the mitochondrial control region and genotypes at seven unlinked nuclear microsatellites. Variability was high (overall expected heterozygosity, haplotype and nucleotide diversity being 0.70, 0.764 and 0.00698, respectively) and both marker systems showed a subdivision into two main genetic clusters (microsatellites) or haplogroups (mtDNA). In line with earlier analyses focusing on populations from northern and eastern Europe, as well as from Asia, we found a high level of admixture in Europe and no signs of a bottleneck – despite a severe decline of white-tailed sea eagle populations during the 20th century. Europe is thus a global stronghold for this species not only with respect to the number of breeding pairs but also regarding the proportion of species-wide genetic diversity. Our dense sampling revealed a possibly clinal variation within central Europe from north-west to south-east that was reflected by the distribution of mtDNA haplotypes as well as the two microsatellite-based clusters. This population differentiation in central Europe probably originated from a geographically structured postglacial colonization and was later enhanced by recent demographic fluctuations

Phantom of the forest or successful citizen? Analysing how Northern Goshawks (<i>Accipiter gentilis</i>) cope with the urban environment

By 2040, roughly two-thirds of humanity are expected to live in urban areas. As cities expand, humans irreversibly transform natural ecosystems, creating both opportunities and challenges for wildlife. Here, we investigate how the Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) is adjusting to urban environments. We measured a variety of behavioural and ecological parameters in three urban and four rural study sites. City life appeared related to all parameters we measured. Urban female goshawks were overall 21.7 (CI95.13-130) times more likely to defend their nestlings from humans than rural females. Urban goshawks were 3.64 (CI95.05-6.66) times more likely to feed on pigeons and had diets exhibiting lower overall species richness and diversity. Urban females laid eggs 12.5 (CI95.12-17.4) days earlier than rural individuals and were 2.22 (CI95.984-4.73) times more likely to produce a brood of more than three nestlings. Nonetheless, urban goshawks suffered more from infections with the parasite Trichomonas gallinae, which was the second most common cause of mortality (14.6, after collisions with windows (33.1. In conclusion, although city life is associated with significant risks, goshawks appear to thrive in some urban environments, most likely as a result of high local availability of profitable pigeon prey. We conclude that the Northern Goshawk can be classified as an urban exploiter in parts of its distribution

Phantom of the forest or successful citizen? Analysing how Northern Goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) cope with the urban environment

M.M. was part of the Graduate School IMPact-Vector funded by the Senate Competition Committee grant (SAW-2014-SGN-3) of the Leibniz Association. M.M. is also an associated doctoral student of the GRK2046 from the German Research Foundation (DFG). We are grateful for additional funding (Jagdabgabe) from the ‘Stiftung Naturschutz Berlin' (J0056 & J0088), the ‘Ministerium für ländliche Entwicklung, Umwelt und Landwirtschaft des Landes Brandenburg' (35-21340/7+5-51/16), the ‘Behörde für Wirtschaft, Verkehr und Innovation der freien Hansestadt Hamburg' (title: ‘Gesundheitsstatus und Ausbreitungsverhalten von Habichtnestlingen in Hamburg') and the ‘Ministerium für Energiewende, Landwirtschaft, Umwelt und ländliche Räume des Landes Schleswig-Holstein’ (V 542–42902/2016).By 2040, roughly two-thirds of humanity are expected to live in urban areas. As cities expand, humans irreversibly transform natural ecosystems, creating both opportunities and challenges for wildlife. Here, we investigate how the Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) is adjusting to urban environments. We measured a variety of behavioural and ecological parameters in three urban and four rural study sites. City life appeared related to all parameters we measured. Urban female goshawks were overall 21.7 (CI95.13-130) times more likely to defend their nestlings from humans than rural females. Urban goshawks were 3.64 (CI95.05-6.66) times more likely to feed on pigeons and had diets exhibiting lower overall species richness and diversity. Urban females laid eggs 12.5 (CI95.12-17.4) days earlier than rural individuals and were 2.22 (CI95.984-4.73) times more likely to produce a brood of more than three nestlings. Nonetheless, urban goshawks suffered more from infections with the parasite Trichomonas gallinae, which was the second most common cause of mortality (14.6, after collisions with windows (33.1. In conclusion, although city life is associated with significant risks, goshawks appear to thrive in some urban environments, most likely as a result of high local availability of profitable pigeon prey. We conclude that the Northern Goshawk can be classified as an urban exploiter in parts of its distribution.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe