Lead Levels in Eurasian Otters Decline with Time and Reveal Interactions between Sources, Prevailing Weather, And Stream Chemistry

Chadwick, Elizabeth Anna; Simpson, V. R.; Nicholls, Abigail E. L.; Slater, Frederick Maurice

doi:10.1021/es1034602

Cited by 29 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…However, accurate comparisons between studies are difficult because trace element levels can dramatically differ among different types of feathers (Burger, 1993;Dauwe et al, 2003, see Scheifler et al, 2006 for some comparisons in the blackbird). Since the establishment of new environmental policies in the 2000′s (e.g., reduction of unleaded petrol use), Pb emissions and burdens have, respectively, decreased in urban areas and wildlife (Berglund et al, 2012;Chadwick et al, 2011). However, our study shows that this urban-related contamination remains in wild birds, even in moderately urbanized areas.…”

Section: Urbanization and Trace Element Contaminationmentioning

confidence: 54%

Corticosterone levels in relation to trace element contamination along an urbanization gradient in the common blackbird (Turdus merula)

Meillère

Brischoux

Bustamante

et al. 2016

Science of The Total Environment

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In a rapidly urbanizing world, trace element pollution may represent a threat to human health and wildlife, and it is therefore crucial to assess both exposition levels and associated effects of trace element contamination on urban vertebrates. In this study, we investigated the impact of urbanization on trace element contamination and stress physiology in a wild bird species, the common blackbird (Turdus merula), along an urbanization gradient (from rural to moderately urbanized areas). Specifically, we described the contamination levels of blackbirds by 4 non-essential (Ag, Cd, Hg, Pb) and 9 essential trace elements (As, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Se, Zn), and explored the putative disrupting effects of the non-essential element contamination on corticosterone levels (a hormonal proxy for environmental challenges). We found that non-essential trace element burden (Cd and Pb specifically) increased with increasing urbanization, indicating a significant trace element contamination even in medium sized cities and suburban areas. Interestingly, the increased feather non-essential trace element concentrations were also associated with elevated feather corticosterone levels, suggesting that urbanization probably constrains birds and that this effect may be mediated by trace element contamination. Future experimental studies are now required to disentangle the influence of multiple urban-related constraints on corticosterone levels and to specifically test the influence of each of these trace elements on corticosterone secretion.

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Section: Urbanization and Trace Element Contaminationmentioning

confidence: 54%

Corticosterone levels in relation to trace element contamination along an urbanization gradient in the common blackbird (Turdus merula)

Meillère

Brischoux

Bustamante

et al. 2016

Science of The Total Environment

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“…Opportunistic collection of wildlife provides a valuable opportunity to monitor a wide range of pathogens and contaminants (e.g. [21,22]), including T. gondii , and thereby offers a valuable opportunity to assess changing risk to human and animal health . …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) in England and Wales

et al. 2013

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BackgroundToxoplasma gondii is found on all continents and can infect all endothermic vertebrates. Toxoplasmosis is a globally important zoonosis with potentially devastating health impacts both for humans and a range of domestic and wild species. The World Health Organisation have repeatedly recommended the collection of accurate epidemiological data for T. gondii, yet despite recognised links between infection of wildlife, domestic animals and humans, seroprevalence in wild species is rarely monitored. Here, serological investigation using the Gold Standard Sabin-Feldman Dye Test was used to test for T. gondii in Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) found dead, mainly as road-kill, in England and Wales. This is the first spatially widespread study of T. gondii in UK wildlife, and the first extensive survey of T. gondii in Eurasian otters, a sentinel species of fresh waters.FindingsInfection was both common (39.5% prevalence, n = 271) and widespread, with significantly more infection in the east than the west of the UK. There was an increase in seroprevalence with age, but no sex bias.ConclusionsThe relatively high prevalence of T. gondii in a predominantly piscivorous freshwater mammal suggests widespread faecal contamination of freshwater ecosystems with oocysts. Continued surveillance of the Eurasian otter for T. gondii is valuable because of conservation concerns due to the otter’s ‘near threatened’ status on the IUCN Red List and because of the host’s role as a sentinel for freshwater health.

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“…The Eurasian otter, Lutra lutra , is a top predator in the UK and a sentinel of freshwater health [27]. Otters are wide ranging opportunistic predators that feed in terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats [28].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Abiotic and Biotic Factors Associated with Tick Population Dynamics on a Mammalian Host: Ixodes hexagonus Infesting Otters, Lutra lutra

2012

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The Eurasian otter, Lutra lutra, hosts several parasites with zoonotic potential. As this semiaquatic mammal has large ranges across terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats, it has the capacity for wide dispersion of pathogens. Despite this, parasites of otters have received relatively little attention. Here, we examine their ectoparasite load and assess whether this is influenced by abiotic or biotic variables. Climatic phenomena such as the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) affect weather conditions in northern Europe. Consequently parasite distributions, particularly species with life stages exposed to the external environment, can be affected. We assessed the extent to which inter-annual variations in large-scale weather patterns (specifically the NAO and Central England (CE) temperatures) and host characteristics influenced tick prevalence and intensity. Ectoparasites consisted of a single species, the nidiculous tick Ixodes hexagonus (prevalence = 24.3%; mean intensity = 7.2; range = 1–122; on n = 820 otter hosts). The prevalence, but not intensity of infestation, was associated with high CE temperatures, while both prevalence and intensity were associated with positive phases of the NAO. Such associations indicate that I. hexagonus are most abundant when weather conditions are warmer and wetter. Ticks were more prevalent on juvenile than sub-adult or adult otters, which probably reflects the length of time the hosts spend in the holt where these ticks quest. High tick number was associated with poor host condition, so either poor condition hosts are more susceptible to ticks, or tick infestations negatively impact on host condition. Otters are clearly an important and common host for I. hexagonus, which has implications for vector-borne diseases. This work is the first to consider the impacts of long-term weather patterns on I. hexagonus and uses wild-animal cadavers to illustrate the importance of abiotic and biotic pressures impacting parasitic populations.

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Lead Levels in Eurasian Otters Decline with Time and Reveal Interactions between Sources, Prevailing Weather, And Stream Chemistry

Cited by 29 publications

References 43 publications

Corticosterone levels in relation to trace element contamination along an urbanization gradient in the common blackbird (Turdus merula)

Corticosterone levels in relation to trace element contamination along an urbanization gradient in the common blackbird (Turdus merula)

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) in England and Wales

Abiotic and Biotic Factors Associated with Tick Population Dynamics on a Mammalian Host: Ixodes hexagonus Infesting Otters, Lutra lutra

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