Bottled &amp; canned – Anthropogenic debris as an understudied ecological trap for small animals

Kolenda, Krzysztof; Kuśmierek, Natalia; Kujawa, Krzysztof; Smolis, Adrian; Wiśniewski, Konrad; Salata, Sebastian; Maltz, Tomasz K.; Stachowiak, Mieczysław; Kadej, Marcin

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155616

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 59 publications

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“…However, recent studies in invertebrates have confirmed the ingestion of microplastics and subsequent effects in earthworms (less growth, behaviour and gut microbiota alterations, differences in oxidative responses and gene expression) (Cui et al, 2022) and springtails (inhibition of reproduction, changes in avoidance behaviour and gut microbial community) (Ju et al, 2019), and also how the aquatic insect Chironomus riparius (Meigen, 1804) (Diptera: Chironomidae) can suffer physiological stress and gene expression alteration after the consumption of microplastics (Carrasco‐Navarro et al, 2021). Furthermore, in recent years it has been shown how bottles and cans act as a trap for invertebrates (Kolenda et al, 2022). The entanglement of individuals with lethal and sublethal effects is one of the main threats associated with plastics, as shown in marine mammals, sea turtles and seabirds (Gregory, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plastics and insects: Records of ants entangled in synthetic fibres

Luna,

Rausell‐Moreno,

Vidal‐Cordero

2023

Ecological Entomology

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Plastic pollution is an emerging environmental risk, as it may negatively impact many species. However, much remains to be studied in terrestrial invertebrates, since the information in which this pollutant interacts with insects and soil fauna in natural environments is still limited. Here, we present records of two ant species, Lasius grandis (Forel, 1909) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and Monomorium sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), found entangled in synthetic fibres at the summit broom shrubland and canary pine forest in the island of La Palma (Spain), respectively. To our knowledge, this is one of the first reports of ants and other insects being entangled in plastics. Despite our small sample size, this interaction could be more widespread. Among other effects, ants could be transporting small plastic fragments to different soil horizons, but a greater knowledge of ants and other soil invertebrates interacting with plastics would help to improve our understanding of the relationship of this emerging pollutant with soil fauna in ecosystems with different degrees of human use.

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