ABSTRACT
The ingestion of debris by marine fauna is a growing threat to biodiversity. This study aimed to evaluate and characterize litter ingestion by odontocetes from the Western South Atlantic. Between 2018 and 2022, 154 stomachs from six species were collected from stranded individuals and incidental captures. Stomach contents were analyzed with the naked eye and items of anthropic origin found were counted and physically/chemically characterized. Generalized Linear Models were used to evaluate the influence of biological factors on the presence/absence of litter in stomachs, and for Pontoporia blainvillei only, the influence of these factors on the number of ingested items was also tested; additionally, a temporal analysis of ingestion was done for this species (1994-2022). A total of 156 items, mainly macro-sized plastics made of polypropylene, were found in 52 stomachs of four species: Tursiops spp. (FO% = 3.3%), Steno bredanensis (10.0%), Delphinus delphis (28.6%) and P. blainvillei (47.5%). The presence/absence of litter was explained only by species (χ2 = 28.29 and p < 0.001). For P. blainvillei, a threatened species in the region, the number of items was positively influenced by individual size (χ2 = 6.01 and p = 0.01) and sex (χ2 = 7.93 and p = 0.005). There was an increase in plastic ingestion by this species over the years (χ2 = 121.6 and p < 0.001) and it was estimated that 75% of P. blainvillei stomachs will contain plastic by 2040. The ingestion of litter by odontocetes from the Western South Atlantic was confirmed and the potential risks posed by this type of pollution were evidenced, especially since these species also face other anthropic pressures. These results further demonstrate the increasing threat of litter in the ocean and highlight the importance of circularity of plastics and proper waste management.
ABSTRACT
Concerning the impact of organic contamination, most studies focus on the main river courses, which are affected by large wastewater plants and intensively urbanized areas, while a large part of a river's catchment area is made up of small streams flowing through rural or forested areas. As a result, the impact of even small sources of organic load on small systems is often not analysed. This study investigated the impact of a small sewage source on the aquatic environment of the Caramagna Creek (NW Italy). At the study site, the creek receives an effluent sewer from a small cluster of houses. To evaluate the impact of this point source of pollution, we estimated macroinvertebrate community composition and abundance monthly from January 2005 to March 2006 in two stations, located respectively 50 m upstream and 50 m downstream of the sewer pipe. At the same time, main physicochemical parameters, microbiological data, and chlorophyll-a concentration were assessed. These data aim to inspire additional research, particularly in addressing the implications of often overlooked small impacts occurring in small rivers, which can have an enormous impact given the dendritic organisation of the hydrographic network and the multiplicative effect along the river system. These results are especially relevant in the context of evolving river dynamics influenced by decreasing flows, resulting in a diminution in dilution capacity and thus greater fragility of river ecosystems. Moreover, if we consider only the upstream site, this dataset holds important potential related to non-impacted macroinvertebrate communities, constituting an important reference because it integrates macroinvertebrate community data with different environmental data, from granulometry to in-stream productivity, from chemical-physical to microbiological data.
ABSTRACT
The present study aims to document the community composition, abundance, and species richness of saprophytic fly species (Mesembrinellidae, Neriidae, Ropalomeridae, and Sarcophagidae) of the Volta Grande region of the Xingu River, a poorly sampled area impacted by the Belo Monte hydroelectric dam. Five collecting trips were carried out between 2014 and 2016, when traps baited with fermenting bananas were used. A total of 154 specimens, three genera, and six species were collected of Mesembrinellidae; 196 specimens, three genera, and seven species of Neriidae; 272 specimens, three genera, and six species of Ropalomeridae; and 624 specimens, 22 species and 10 genera of Sarcophagidae. Species accumulation curves for all families except Sarcophagidae demonstrated a strong tendency towards stabilization, showing that sampling efforts were sufficient to record most of the targeted species. Laneela perisi (Mariluis, 1987) (Mesembrinellidae) is a new record for the state of Pará. Among Ropalomeridae, Apophorhynchus amazonensis Prado, 1966, is a new record for Pará. Among Sarcophagidae, Helicobia aurescens (Townsend, 1927) is newly recorded from the Brazilian Amazon, and Ravinia effrenata (Walker, 1861) and Titanogrypa larvicida (Lopes, 1935) are new records for Pará.
O presente estudo teve como objetivo documentar a composição, abundância e riqueza das espécies de moscas saprófitas (Mesembrinellidae, Neriidae, Ropalomeridae e Sarcophagidae) da Volta Grande do rio Xingu, uma área pouco amostrada e impactada pela Hidrelétrica Belo Monte. Foram realizadas cinco expedições de coleta entre 2014 a 2016, quando foram utilizadas armadilhas contendo banana em fermentação como isca. Foram coletados 154 espécimes, três gêneros e seis espécies de Mesembrinellidae; 196 espécimes, três gêneros e sete espécies de Neriidae; 272 espécimes, três gêneros e seis espécies de Ropalomeridae; e 624 espécimes, 22 espécies e 10 gêneros de Sarcophagidae. As curvas de acumulo de espécies para todas as famílias, exceto Sarcophagidae, demonstraram uma forte tendência à estabilização, mostrando que o esforço amostral foi suficiente para registrar a maioria das espécies-alvo. Laneela perisi (Mariluis, 1987) (Mesembrinellidae) é um novo registro para o estado do Pará. Entre os Ropalomeridae, Apophorhynchus amazonensis Prado, 1966, é um novo registro para o Pará. Em relação aos Sarcophagidae, Helicobia aurescens (Townsend, 1927) é um novo registro para a Amazônia Brasileira e Ravinia effrenata (Walker, 1861) e Titanogrypa larvicida (Lopes, 1935) são novos registros para o Pará.
ABSTRACT
ResumenLa laguna costera de La Mancha, en el Golfo de México, tiene una boca que se cierra y abre estacionalmente, lo que ocasiona importantes fluctuaciones en los niveles de inundación y que la zona intermareal se exponga frecuentemente a una alta radiación solar, altas temperaturas y su consecuente desecación. Se llevó a cabo un experimento de campo de Noviembre-2000 a Septiembre-2001 para evaluar el efecto acumulado de la variación en el nivel de inundación sobre la colonización y supervivencia de los invertebrados intermareales sésiles sobre substratos artificiales en el bosque de manglar de borde. Un total de 72 tubos de PVC de 2 m de largo fueron recubiertos con cemento para semejar rizóforos (raíces aéreas) de Rhizophora mangle. Luego fueron encajados en el fango en cuatro estaciones de muestreo (18 por estación: 9 en sitio sombreado y 9 en sitio soleado), y fueron retirados en grupos de 6 de cada estación de muestreo (3 de cada sitio sombreado y 3 de cada sitio soleado), sin reemplazo, al término de cada época climática (nortes, seca y lluvias). Además, se monitoreó la condición abierta-cerrada de la boca estuarina y el nivel de inundación durante el período de 308 días que duró el experimento. Se registró la distribución temporal, espacial y vertical de la Riqueza específica (S) y de la abundancia de individuos vivos y muertos, y los datos fueron analizados mediante ANDEVA. Únicamente siete especies colonizaron los substratos, la mayoría de ellas se registraron todo el año y en todas las estaciones de muestreo. No se observó una sucesión estacional de las especies. Al final del experimento, se obtuvo una supervivencia del 20 % de los epibiontes. El poliqueto Ficopomatus miamiensis fue la especie más abundante pero presentó una supervivencia significativamente menor que las otras especies encontradas (0 - 14 %). Los epibiontes prefirieron establecerse en sitios sombreados que en sitios soleados sin importar la estación de muestreo ni la época climática. En conclusión, la colonización de los substratos artificiales fue exitosa pero la mayoría de los individuos murieron debido a la prolongada exposición y desecación después de que la boca estuarina fue abierta por los pescadores locales.Las maniobras de excavación de la barrera arenosa por los pescadores locales interrumpen los ciclos naturales de inundación de la laguna, lo cual puede tener consecuencias futuras sobre el desarrollo de las comunidades del manglar.
AbstractLa Mancha coastal lagoon, in the Gulf of Mexico, has an inlet that opens and closes seasonally, causing important fluctuations in flood-levels and exposing the intertidal zone to high solar radiation, high temperatures and desiccation. With the aim to examine the accumulated effect of variation in flood-levels on colonization and survival of sessile intertidal invertebrates on artificial substrates in a fringe mangrove forest, a field experiment was conducted from November-2000 to September-2001. A total of 72 PVC-stakes 2 m long were encased with cement to resemble rhizophores (prop roots) of Rhizophora mangle. They were then embedded in mud at four sampling stations (18 per station: 9 in a shaded site and 9 in a sunny site), and groups of 6 were collected from each sampling station (3 from each shaded site and 3 from each sunny site) without replacement at the end of each climatic period (Eastern winds, dry and rainy). The open-closed condition of the inlet and the flood-level were monitored during different days throughout the 308-day experiment period. Temporal, spatial and vertical distribution of Species richness (S) and abundance of living and dead individuals were registered, and the data was analyzed by ANOVA. Only seven species colonized the substrates, the majority of them were recorded throughout the year and in all sampling stations. There was no seasonal succession of species. At the end of the experiment, only 20 % of the epibionts had survived. The polychaete Ficopomatus miamiensis was the most abundant, but had significantly lower survival than the other species (0-14 %). Epibionts preferred to settle in shaded sites rather than sunny ones regardless of the sampling station and the climatic season. In conclusion, artificial substrate colonization was successful but the majority of epibionts died because of long exposure and desiccation after the inlet was opened by local fishermen. Manual digging of the sand-barrier by local fishermen, disrupts the natural flooding cycles of the lagoon, and could severely impact the future development of mangrove communities.
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to assess the diet of Poecilia reticulata in rural (RS) and urban stream (US) and under seasonal influence. We hypothesized that rainfall have a strong negative impact on the diet of the species in the US, due to its abrupt effect on food resources; in RS this effect is less apparent. Both streams belong to Pirapó River sub-basin, Paraná River basin. Fishes were sampled bimonthly, between July 2007 and June 2008 in three sample sites along the longitudinal gradient of the streams, using electrofishing. According to the Feeding Index, in both streams the population consumed almost exclusively detritus associated with aquatic organisms (>95%), regardless of the hydrological period. The main taxa explored by fish were Simuliidae in RS and Chironomidae in US. The diet was significantly different between streams; however, the seasonal factor was not significant, showing that the results were partially consistent with the suggested proposal. In US stream the diet of the fish followed an ordinarily pattern found in urban environments. Thus, P. reticulata can be used as a tool to assess environmental conditions due to its ability to reach bioindicator organisms, such as Chironomidae species.
Este estudo objetivou investigar a dieta de Poecilia reticulata, em riacho rural (RR) e urbano (RU), sob influência sazonal. Foi hipotetizado que a chuva tem forte impacto negativo na dieta da espécie no RU, devido ao efeito abrupto sobre os recursos alimentares disponíveis, sendo este menos aparente em RR. Os riachos pertencem à sub-bacia hidrográfica do rio Pirapó, bacia do rio Paraná. Os peixes foram amostrados bimestralmente entre julho de 2007 e junho de 2008 em três pontos ao longo do gradiente longitudinal dos riachos, usando pesca elétrica. De acordo com o Índice alimentar, em ambos os riachos as populações consumiram quase que exclusivamente detrito associado com organismos aquáticos (>95%) independente do período hidrológico, sendo os principais: Simuliidae no RR e Chironomidae no RU. Houve diferença significativa na dieta entre os dois riachos, porém o fator sazonal não foi significativo, mostrando que os resultados foram parcialmente consistentes com a proposta sugerida. No RU a dieta mostrou um padrão comumente encontrado em ambientes urbanos. Dessa forma, P. reticulata pode ser usada como ferramenta para avaliar condições ambientais devido à sua habilidade em consumir organismos bioindicadores, tais como espécies de Chironomidae.
Subject(s)
Rain , Rivers , FishesABSTRACT
This study was carried out in the Base Operacional Geólogo Pedro de Moura (BOGPM) in the Urucu River Basin, Coari, state of Amazonas, Brazil, during April, June, and October 2007, in 16 areas, 4 in primary forests (environment MT) and 12 in gaps (environments C1, C2, and C3) at different stages of vegetation recovery, with different plant cover height. We collected 3,547 specimens of flesh flies. The 3,525 individuals identified to species level included 10 genera, 6 subgenera, and 23 species. Sarcodexia lambens (Wiedemann) (47.1 percent) and Peckia (Peckia) chrysostoma (Wiedemann) (19.1 percent) were the most abundant species. The abundance patterns and estimated richness differed between the environments, and were separated in two groups, one of the gaps (C1, C2, and C3) and another of forests (MT). Both abundance and estimated richness were higher in the gaps (C1, C2, and C3) than in the forest (MT).
Subject(s)
Animals , Sarcophagidae , Brazil , Population Density , TreesABSTRACT
Ichthyofauna of karstic wetlands under anthropic impact: the "petenes" of Campeche, Mexico. "Petenes" are small springs and associated streams that drain into wetlands near the coast in karstic areas. We studied composition, distribution, and abundance of the ichthyofauna in Los Petenes region (northwest Campeche). Two petenes displaying different degrees and types of anthropic impact were selected, Hampolol and El Remate. Hampolol has a smaller area but a longer derived stream; it is located within a protected area, but has been invaded by tilapia. El Remate is a popular spa, with no tilapia; it has a larger area but a shorter derived stream. At each "petén", several sites in the main spring, the associated stream, and secondary (temporary) springs were sampled in the rainy and dry seasons. Fishing gear was variable (throw net, gill net, small and large seine nets), but effort was uniform. We recorded temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity, and depth at each site and season; also, we noted the different types and intensities of anthropic impact (channelization, presence of exotic species, recreational use, etc.) at each petén. We compared the petenes in terms of their environmental quality and fish fauna (composition, distribution, abundance, biomass); we also tested for effects of season and site within each petén. The study found 27 species of fishes, included in 18 genera and eight families, 24 species in Hampolol and 20 in El Remate. The geographical range of Cichlasoma salvini, Rivulus tenuis, Phallichthys fairweatheri, Xiphophorus hellerii, and X. maculatus is extended. The dominant species in both seasons was Astyanax (probable hybrids A. aeneus × altior at Hampolol, pure A. altior at El Remate), which contributed most of the abundance and biomass, together with Vieja synspila and Poecilia velifera. A significantly greater overall diversity (Hn=3.31) was recorded in Hampolol compared to El Remate (Hn=2.10). Cluster analysis of sites by species presence allowed distinction of two groupings within each petén: permanent waters (i.e., main spring, stream) vs. temporary sites (secondary springs, which dry out in winter). Environmental parameters (except salinity) presented significant differences by site and season; a canonical correspondence analysis indicated that the distribution of fish assemblages was influenced by the environmental parameters in both seasons. In terms of composition, historical factors play a role in the differences between the fish assemblages of the two petenes, especially concerning the presence of Astyanax hybrids and Xiphophorus spp. in the southern petén (Hampolol) and Poecilia velifera in the northern petén (El Remate). Rev. Biol. Trop. 57 (1-2): 141-157. Epub 2009 June 30.
Los petenes son pequeños manantiales y arroyos asociados que drenan a sistemas palustres en áreas cársticas costeras. Se estudió la composición, distribución y abundancia de la ictiofauna en dos petenes del noroeste de Campeche, en el manantial principal, el arroyo asociado, y pequeños ojos de agua secundarios (temporales), en dos épocas del año. Se registraron variables ambientales y tipos de impacto antrópico en cada petén. Se encontraron en total 27 especies de peces, con extensiones de ámbito de Cichlasoma salvini, Rivulus tenuis, Phallichthys fairweatheri, Xiphophorus hellerii y X. maculatus. La especie dominante en ambas épocas fue Astyanax (probables híbridos A. aeneus × altior en Hampolol, A. altior en El Remate). Hubo diferencia significativa en diversidad entre ambos petenes. El análisis de conglomerados diferenció dos agrupaciones dentro de cada petén: aguas permanentes y sitios temporales. Las variables ambientales (excepto salinidad) presentaron diferencias significativas por sitio y época; un análisis de correspondencia canónica indicó que la distribución de los conjuntos de peces tuvo influencia de las variables ambientales en ambas temporadas. En términos de composición, los factores históricos juegan un papel en las diferencias ictiológicas entre ambos petenes, sobre todo por lo que concierne a la presencia de híbridos de Astyanax, así como Xiphophorus hellerii en el petén del sur (Hampolol) y de Poecilia velifera en el petén del norte (El Remate).