Sublethal ecotoxicity assays of an emergent psychoactive substance in Daphnia magna

Abstract

Resumonot planned [1]. Poisoning events (either acute or chronic; accidental or intentional) affect the health of every species, compromising the life of an intoxicated individual and the stability of a population. Direct exposure to some these substances (as diclofenac) may lead to the sudden death of the affected animals (as birds of prey). Recovery centres, researchers, veterinary professionals, and authorities must be permanently aware of this health concern [2]. Objectives: The aim of this review is to provide information regarding poisoning events of wildlife species in Portugal and highlight its importance in a health and nature conservation perspective. Methods: Different search tools (Science Direct®, Scopus® and Google Scholar®) were used to perform this review with the keywords: intoxication; toxic; toxicant; xenobiotic; poison; poisoning; wild; wildlife; fauna; Portugal. The search was also done in Portuguese to include reports in this language. Articles unrelated to the subject or regarding other countries were excluded.Results: Poisoning has been reported as cause of admission and death in Portuguese rescue centres in both mammals and birds [3,4]. Strychnine, insecticides, anticoagulants rodenticides, molluscicides, heavy metals have all been reported in wildlife poisoning events in Portugal. Clinical cases of accidental and intentional poisoning have been reported in carnivorous mammals and birds of prey (4,5). Iberian wolfs, Iberian lynxes, red foxes, vultures, kites, eagles and rooks are among the most frequently reported species. Stomach contents, blood, urine, liver and kidneys are the most used samples to detect these substances and perform the forensic diagnosis [1,5]. Conclusions: Poisoning may represent a threat to some Portuguese fauna, since some of the affected species are endangered and essential to the ecosystem stability. New regulations, monitoring programs and better resources are crucial to quickly intervene in suspicious cases in rehabilitation centres; and minimize the impact of this threat to wild species.