Assessing the impact of urban landfills as feeding sites on physiological parameters of a generalist seabird species.

The increasing human population and associated urban waste pose a significant threat to wildlife. Our study focused on the Kelp gull (Larus dominicanus), known for opportunistic feeding in anthropogenic areas, particularly urban landfills. We assessed the physiological status of Kelp gulls at a landfill and compared it with gulls from a protected natural site. Results indicate that gulls from the anthropogenic site exhibited lower levels of key physiological parameters linked to diet, including triglycerides, total proteins, uric acid, plasmatic enzyme activity, body condition index, and leukocyte count, in comparison to their counterparts from the natural site. These findings suggest that Kelp gulls experience inferior physical and nutritional conditions when utilizing anthropogenic sites like landfills governmentally managed.

Living in a challenging environment: Monitoring stress ecology by non-destructive methods in an Antarctic seabird.

How Antarctic species are facing historical and new stressors remains under-surveyed and risks to wildlife are still largely unknown. Adélie penguins Pygoscelis adeliae are well-known bioindicators and sentinels of Antarctic ecosystem changes, a true canary in the coal mine. Immuno-haematological parameters have been proved to detect stress in wild animals, given their rapid physiological response that allows them tracking environmental changes and thus inferring habitat quality. Here, we investigated variation in Erythrocyte Nuclear Abnormalities (ENAs) and White Blood Cells (WBCs) in penguins from three clustered colonies in the Ross Sea, evaluating immuno-haematological parameters according to geography, breeding stage, and individual penguin characteristics such as sex, body condition and nest quality. Concentrations of mercury (Hg) and stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen (as proxies of the penguin's trophic ecology) were analysed in feathers to investigate the association between stress biomarkers and Hg contamination in Adélie penguins. Colony and breeding stage were not supported as predictors of immuno-haematological parameters. ENAs and WBCs were respectively ∼30 % and ∼20 % higher in male than in female penguins. Body condition influenced WBCs, with penguins in the best condition having a ∼22 % higher level of WBCs than those in the worst condition. Nest position affected the proportion of micronuclei (MNs), with inner-nesting penguins having more than three times the proportion of MNs than penguins nesting in peripheral positions. Heterophils:Lymphocytes (H:L) ratio was not affected by any of the above predictors. Multiple factors acting as stressors are expected to increase prominently in Antarctic wildlife in the near future, therefore extensive monitoring aimed to assess the health status of penguin populations is mandatory.

Urbanity as a source of genotoxicity in the synanthropic Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus).

Increases in human population lead to an increase in urban wastes, which could affect wildlife in several ways. Urban pollutants can affect erythrocytes of birds generating morphological membrane and nuclear anomalies. The Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus) is an opportunistic species, which take advantage of urban environments, thus being highly exposed to environmental pollution. In northeastern Patagonia, the dynamic of the waste management was transformed in the last decade and consequently, gulls changed their movements in response to changes in waste management systems. The food available to the seagulls went from being a mixture of urban/fishing discards until 2015, when this landfill closures, to being domestic urban offerings. In order of evaluating genotoxicity and changes in pollutants exposition due to these changes, we analyzed the frequencies of erythrocytes nuclear abnormalities and micronuclei (ENAs and MN respectively) in 58 blood smears from adults extracted during the non-breeding season in two periods in landfills with different waste compositions: a mixed landfill (ML) in 2013 before closure (n = 24) versus an urban landfill (UL) (n = 34) in 2021. We found that the Kelp Gull showed high values of abnormalities with an average of 151.5 /10,000 RBC in comparison with other seabird species. The bud and notched types of ENAs were the most prevalent abnormalities in both sites. We did not find significate differences in the overall abnormality frequency between sites, however we found significant higher frequencies in displaced and tailed types of ENAs in ML. We also found poikilocytosis, as seen previously in other animals exposed experimentally to pollutants such as metals and crude oil. Cellular abnormalities found in the Kelp Gull suggest an exposition of individuals to pollutants in foraging areas. The hemispheric distribution and the synanthropic characteristics of the species denote its importance as a suitable global monitor of genotoxicity.

Impact of Oncoplastic Breast Surgery on Rate of Complications, Time to Adjuvant Treatment, and Risk of Recurrence.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the risk of complications and recurrence between oncoplastic and conventional breast surgery. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of 436 patients with stage I-III breast cancer who underwent surgery at the University Hospital of Basel between 2011 and 2018. RESULTS: The nipple/skin-sparing mastectomy (NSM/SSM) group showed significantly more delayed wound healing (32.7 vs. 5.8%, p < 0.001) and skin necrosis (13.9 vs. 1.9%, p = 0.020) compared to conventional mastectomy (CM), which corresponded to significantly higher odds of short-term complications (OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.02-5.35, p = 0.044). The incidence rate of long-term morbidity in oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery (OBCS) was significantly higher compared to conventional breast-conserving surgery (CBCS; 25.5 vs. 11.3 per 100 patient years [PY], p < 0.001), in particular concerning chronic pain (13.3 vs. 6.6, p = 0.011) and lymphedema (4.1 vs. 0.4, p = 0.003). Seroma as a long-term morbidity occurred more often in the CM group compared to the NSM/SSM group (5.8 vs. 0.5 per 100 PY, p = 0.004). Patients received adjuvant treatment earlier after CM compared to NSM/SSM (HR 1.83, 95% CI 1.05-3.19, p = 0.034). There were no significant differences in the incidence of positive margins nor in the odds of recurrence after OBCS versus CBCS and after NSM/SSM versus CM. CONCLUSIONS: Even though the present study confirmed expected differences in complications and morbidity, it suggested that oncoplastic surgery is oncologically safe. Patients undergoing NSM/SSM should be followed closely to allow early detection and treatment of frequently associated complications and ensure timely start of adjuvant therapy.

A new species of Maritrema (Trematoda: Microphallidae) parasitizing the Baird's sandpiper Calidris bairdii, and comments about diversity of Microphallidae in two Nearctic shorebirds at Patagonian sites in Argentina.

Birds are hosts of a wide diversity of trematodes. Between them, the Microphallidae is a common family with a cosmopolitan distribution. Nevertheless, only 10 Maritrema species have been recorded previously in South America. The aim of the present paper is to describe a new species of Maritrema parasitizing the Nearctic Baird's sandpiper, Calidris bairdii in its wintering areas in Patagonia, Argentina. We also analyze and compare the microphallid diversity in two host species. We collected 44 C. bairdii and 50 Calidris fuscicollis in search of helminths. Trematodes were found only in C. bairdii. A total of 694 trematodes belonging to 4 microphallid species were found parasitizing the intestine and caeca. Four microphallid species were found: Maritrema formicae, Odhneria odhneri, Levinseniella cruzi and Maritrema pichi n. sp. M. formicae showed the highest prevalence, while M. pichi n. sp. was the species with the highest mean intensity and mean abundance. The new species M. pichi n. sp. differs from congeners by the position of the acetabulum that is included within the vitellarium ring, the ovary is anterior to the acetabulum, and the testes are lateral to it. We discuss the parasitological results in relation with the biological and ecological characteristics of both different host species.

Ecotourism effects on health and immunity of Magellanic penguins at two reproductive colonies with disparate touristic regimes and population trends.

Negative effects of ecotourism on wildlife are rising worldwide. Conservation physiology can play a major role in protecting wildlife by providing early alerts on changes in the status of individuals exposed to tourist activities. We measured an integrated set of immune and health-state indices to evaluate the effects of ecotourism on Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus). We studied two reproductive colonies that differed in the intensity of tourism and population trends: Punta Tombo (higher tourism intensity, declining population) and San Lorenzo (lower tourism intensity, growing population). Within each colony, we compared individuals from an area that was exposed to tourists and a control area where tourism was excluded. Adult penguins exposed to tourism at Punta Tombo, but not at San Lorenzo, showed physiological alterations indicative of chronic stress (higher heterophil to lymphocyte ratios) and parasitic infection (elevated heterophil and eosinophil counts). Penguin chicks exposed to tourism at Punta Tombo, but not at San Lorenzo, also showed physiological alterations indicative of poor immune and general-health condition: lower humoral innate immunity, haematocrit, and glucose levels and higher inflammatory responses likely due to increased prevalence of fleas. Our results indicate that individuals of a declining population exposed to high levels of tourism express physiological indicators of chronic stress and poor health that could make adults and juveniles vulnerable to disease. These effects are expressed despite a long history of exposure and behavioural habituation to human visitation. In contrast, individuals of a growing population exposed to more recent and lower levels of tourism showed no effect. Our study demonstrates how a diverse physiological toolkit within a conservation physiology approach can provide important information for a better comprehension of anthropogenic effects on wild animals in our changing world.

Exposure of red knots (Calidris canutus rufa) to select avian pathogens; Patagonia, Argentina.

As part of the shorebird surveillance, Red Knots (Calidris canutus rufa) were sampled in two Patagonian sites in Argentina, Río Grande and San Antonio Oeste, during 2005-2006. Cloacal swabs and serum samples were collected from 156 birds and tested by virus isolation (Newcastle disease virus), polymerase chain reaction (PCR; avian influenza virus and Plasmodium/Hemoproteus), and for antibodies to St. Louis encephalitis virus. All test results were negative.

PHYSIOLOGIC PARAMETERS AND THEIR RESPONSE TO HANDLING STRESS IN A NEOTROPICAL MIGRATORY SHOREBIRD DURING THE NONBREEDING SEASON.

Physiologic traits are promising indicators of population health in the face of rapidly changing environments. We obtained values of diverse physiologic parameters for Two-banded Plovers (Charadrius falklandicus) in coastal sites in Patagonia, Argentina, with the objectives of determining the timeline in which these parameters become affected by the stress of capture and handling and of obtaining reference values for future monitoring of these populations. We analyzed packed cell volume, white blood cell profile, heterophil/lymphocyte ratio, bacterial agglutination titer, and total protein, glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels in apparently healthy birds. Glucose, total white blood cell count, lymphocytes, and eosinophil levels showed changes with handling times >60 min after capture. The remaining parameters did not manifest significant alterations in response to capture and handling of up to 232 min (average=105.2, SD=56.7). Therefore, although researchers should attempt to obtain blood samples as soon as possible after capture, inclusion of physiologic parameters in monitoring studies of species not easily sampled in a few minutes, such as Two-banded Plovers and other shorebird species during migration, should not be discouraged. Here we provide a physiologic report for the species that can be considered as reference values during the nonbreeding season at Patagonian coastal sites.

Phylogenetic analyses reveal that Schellackia parasites (Apicomplexa) detected in American lizards are closely related to the genus Lankesterella: is the range of Schellackia restricted to the Old World?

BACKGROUND: Species of Schellackia Reichenow, 1919 have been described from the blood of reptiles distributed worldwide. Recently, Schellackia spp. detected in European and Asian lizards have been molecularly characterised. However, parasites detected in American lizard hosts remain uncharacterised. Thus, phylogenetic affinities between the Old and New World parasite species are unknown. METHODS: In the present study, we characterised morphologically and molecularly the hemococcidian parasites (sporozoites) that infect three lizard hosts from North America and two from South America. RESULTS: In total, we generated 12 new 18S rRNA gene sequences of hemococcidian parasites infecting New World lizard hosts. By the microscopic examination of the smears we identified Schellackia golvani Rogier & Landau, 1975 (ex Anolis carolinensis Voigt) and Schellackia occidentalis Bonorris & Ball, 1955 (ex Uta stansburiana Baird & Girard and Sceloporus occidentalis Baird & Girard) in some samples, but the phylogenetic analysis indicated that all 18S rDNA sequences are distant from Schellackia species found in Old World lizards. In fact, the hemococcidian parasites detected in the New World lizards (including S. occidentalis and S. golvani) were closely related to the genus Lankesterella Labbé, 1899. Consequently, we suggest these two species to be included within the genus Lankesterella. CONCLUSIONS: Life history traits of hemococcidian parasites such as the type of host blood cells infected, host species or number of refractile bodies are not valid diagnostic characteristics to differentiate the parasites between the genera Schellackia and Lankesterella. Indeed, lankesterellid parasites with a different number of refractile bodies had a close phylogenetic origin. Based on the phylogenetic results we provide a systematic revision of the North American hemococcidians. Our recommendation is to include the species formerly described in the genus Schellackia that infect American lizards into Lankesterella (Lankesterellidae) as Lankesterella golvani (Rogier & Landau, 1975) n. comb and L. occidentalis (Bonorris & Ball, 1955) n. comb.

MODE OF ATTACHMENT AND PATHOLOGY CAUSED BY PARORCHITES ZEDERI IN THREE SPECIES OF PENGUINS: PYGOSCELIS PAPUA, PYGOSCELIS ADELIAE, AND PYGOSCELIS ANTARCTICA IN ANTARCTICA.

We identified and compared gross and microscopic lesions associated with the cestode, Parorchites zederi, in the digestive tracts of three species of penguins (Spheniscidae): the Chinstrap ( Pygoscelis antarctica ), Gentoo ( Pygoscelis papua ), and Adélie penguins ( Pygoscelis adeliae ). The gastrointestinal tracts of 79 recently dead individuals (71 chicks and eight adults) were collected in locations throughout the Antarctic Peninsula during summer field trips in 2006-09. Parorchites zederi was found in the small intestine of 37 animals (47%), and 23 (62%) of these had parasite-associated lesions. The cestodes were either free in the intestinal lumen, clustered within mucosal ulcers, or deeply embedded in the intestinal wall. Histopathologic changes were most severe in adult Gentoo Penguins and included transmural fibrogranulomatous enteritis, hemorrhage, and edema. This report of pathology associated with P. zederi in the digestive tracts of penguins can serve as reference to monitor health in Antarctic birds associated with environmental changes.

Distribution of metals and trace elements in adult and juvenile penguins from the Antarctic Peninsula area.

The presence of metals in the Antarctic environment is principally a natural phenomenon caused by geochemical characteristics of the region, although some anthropogenic activities can increase these natural levels. Antarctic penguins present several of the characteristics of useful sentinels of pollution in Antarctica such as they are long-lived species situated at the top of food web. The concentrations of Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, and Pb were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry in samples of liver, kidney, muscle, bone, feather, and stomach contents of gentoo, chinstrap, and Adélie penguin (12 adults, five juveniles) from carcasses of naturally dead individuals collected opportunistically in the Antarctic Peninsula area. The obtained results showed that accumulation and magnification of several elements can be occurring, so that Cd and Se reached levels potentially toxic in some specimens. The presence of human activities seems to be increasing the presence of toxic metals such as Mn, Cr, Ni, or Pb in penguins.

Parámetros hematológicos y de estrés oxidativo en pingüinos de Magallanes rehabilitados por contaminación con petróleo / Blood and oxidative stress parameters of oil-spill rehabilitated magallanic penguins

Los pingüinos de Magallanes son entre las aves marinas, la especie más afectada por la contaminación con petróleo en Chubut y Santa Cruz. Una de las consecuencias adversas de la exposición a hidrocarburos y otros contaminantes es el aumento de los niveles celulares de especies reactivas del oxígeno o estrés oxidativo, considerados herramientas útiles como biomarcadores del impacto de la exposición a contaminantes químicos peligrosos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar parámetros hematológicos y marcadores de estrés oxidativo durante la rehabilitación de tres pingüinos empetrolados provenientes del Área Natural Protegida Punta Tombo, Chubut, Argentina. Se tomaron tres muestras de sangre por individuo: la primera muestra al arribo de los pingüinos al centro de rehabilitación, la segunda una semana después y una última muestra antes de ser liberados. Se obtuvieron la cantidad total de leucocitos, la razón heterófilos/linfocitos, el hematocrito y las concentraciones de glucosa y de proteínas totales. Se analizó la actividad de la enzima catalasa, responsable de la degradación del peróxido de hidrógeno, los niveles de tioles totales no proteicos y el daño a lípidos evaluando las especies reactivas al ácido tiobarbitúrico, como indicadores de estrés oxidativo. El estudio se complementó con la obtención del peso de los pingüinos. En general, los parámetros medidos, aumentaron o se mantuvieron constantes desde la primera toma de muestra hasta la última. Si bien algunas de las variables para cada pingüino se comportaron diferentes durante el tratamiento, en general se observó una tendencia a normalizarse hacia el momento de su liberación. Se concluye que los pingüinos se liberaron en buen estado físico luego de la rehabilitación.

Magellanic penguins are among the most affected seabirds by oil contamination in Patagonia. Hydrocarbons and other pollutants cause an increase in the cellular levels of reactive oxygen species that lead oxidative stress and in this way, the evaluation of oxidative stress parameters could be useful tools as biomarkers to evaluate the exposure to hazardous chemical contaminants. The aim of the present work was to evaluate hematological parameters and oxidative stress biomarkers during the rehabilitation of three oil-spill penguins from Punta Tombo Natural Protected Area in Chubut, Argentina. Three blood samples were taken from each individual, the first sample was obtained at arrival of penguin to the rehabilitation center, the second one was the following one week and last sample was taken before animals were freed. Hematocrit, white blood cell count, heterophil/ lymphocyte ratio as a measure of stress, and concentrations of glucose and total proteins were determined. The thiobarbituric acid reactive species, a well-established method for monitoring lipid peroxidation, the activity of catalase enzyme (involved in the catabolism of hydrogen peroxide) and the thiol levels were evaluated as oxidative stress indicators. In general, the measured parameters remained constant or increased their values from the first to the last blood sampling. While some of the variables for each penguin behaved differently during treatment, generally they tended to normalize when penguins were released. We conclude that penguins were released in good physical condition after rehabilitation.

Hematologic and plasma biochemistry values for endangered red knots (Calidris canutus rufa) at wintering and migratory sites in Argentina.

We obtained hematologic and plasma biochemistry values for adult, long-distance migrant Red Knots at their southernmost wintering site in Río Grande (Tierra del Fuego, Argentina) and at the first stopover site in San Antonio Oeste (Río Negro, Argentina). Lymphocytes (L) followed by heterophils (H) were the most abundant leukocytes. H/L ratio and glucose levels were significantly higher at Río Grande, possibly because of the stress of migration and molting. Packed cell volume results ranged widely, probably in response to increased oxygen demand for migration. Protein profiles and lipids were higher at the stopover site and attributable to birds storing reserves for subsequent flights.

Assessing pollution in coastal ecosystems: a preliminary survey using the micronucleus test in the mussel Mytilus edulis.

Mussels Mytilus edulis were sampled at increasing distances from urban effluents in two very different locations, Gijon (northern Spain, Europe, 43 degrees N) and Puerto Madryn (Argentina, South America, 43 degrees S), and from an industry effluent in Puerto Madryn. The micronucleus test was performed on branchial cells. For the three situations, a statistically significant negative association was found between the distance of sampling site from the effluent and the mean number of micronuclei per 1000 cell counts, in a range of distances as short as 300m. The micronucleus test in Mytilidae, here revealed to be sensitive enough to monitor urban pollution, is proposed for routine surveys of pollution as a bioindicator of choice for coastal ecosystems.