Biological responses to environmental contamination. How can metal pollution impact signal honesty in avian species?

Abstract Toxoplasma gondii infections are common in humans and animals worldwide. Wild and domestic avian species are important in the epidemiology of T. gondii infections because felids prey on them and excrete millions of oocysts in the environment, disseminating the infection. Herbivorous birds are also excellent sentinels of environmental contamination with T. gondii oocysts because they feed on the ground. Toxoplasma gondii infections in birds of prey reflect infections in intermediate hosts. Humans can become infected by consuming undercooked avian tissues. Here, the authors reviewed prevalence, persistence of infection, clinical disease, epidemiology and genetic diversity of T. gondii strains isolated from turkeys, geese, ducks, ratites and avian species (excluding chickens) worldwide 2009–2020. Genetic diversity of 102 T. gondii DNA samples isolated worldwide is discussed. The role of migratory birds in dissemination of T. gondii infection is discussed.

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Apis mellifera ligustica, Spinola 1806 as bioindicator for detecting environmental contamination: a preliminary study of heavy metal pollution in Trieste, Italy

Environmental Science and Pollution Research ◽

10.1007/s11356-016-7862-z ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 659-665 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Anita Giglio ◽

Anna Ammendola ◽

Silvia Battistella ◽

Attilio Naccarato ◽

Alberto Pallavicini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metal ◽

Apis Mellifera ◽

Environmental Contamination ◽

Metal Pollution ◽

Heavy Metal Pollution ◽

Apis Mellifera Ligustica ◽

Preliminary Study

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Combination of beehive matrices analysis and ant biodiversity to study heavy metal pollution impact in a post-mining area (Sardinia, Italy)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research ◽

10.1007/s11356-012-0921-1 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 19 (9) ◽

pp. 3977-3988 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Alberto Satta ◽

Marcello Verdinelli ◽

Luca Ruiu ◽

Franco Buffa ◽

Severyn Salis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metal ◽

Metal Pollution ◽

Heavy Metal Pollution ◽

Mining Area ◽

Pollution Impact

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Biological responses in gills and hepatopancreas of Ucides cordatus (Crustacea, Decapoda, Ocypodidae) as indicative of environmental contamination in mangrove areas in Maranhão State, Brazil

Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research ◽

10.3856/vol48-issue2-fulltext-2374 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 48 (2) ◽

pp. 226-236 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Wanda Batista de Jesus ◽

Suelen Rosana Sampaio De Oliveira ◽

Ticianne De Sousa de Oliveira Mota Andrade ◽

Jucimary Braga Machado Sousa ◽

Débora Batista Pinheiro-Sousa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

B Cells ◽

Environmental Contamination ◽

Reference Area ◽

Biometric Data ◽

Ucides Cordatus ◽

Histological Technique ◽

Biological Responses ◽

Port Area ◽

Standard Deviations

This study aimed to identify alterations in gills and hepatopancreas of the crab Ucides cordatus as indicative of environmental contamination in mangrove areas subject to chemical effluents from port activities in Maranhão, Brazil. Samples of gills and hepatopancreas were removed from each animal and fixed in Davidson's solution until the procedure of histological technique. The biometric data (means and standard deviations) of the specimens collected in the study areas indicated that the crabs in the reference area are significantly (P < 0.05) higher and heavier than the crabs collected in the potentially impacted area (port area). Gill alterations (rupture of pilaster cells, dilation of the marginal channel, cuticle rupture and necrosis) and hepatopancreas alterations (abnormal lumen, vacuolized B cells, pycnotic nuclei and necrosis) were significantly (gbn < 0.05) more frequent in crabs collected in the port area than crabs collected in the reference area. These data indicate that the health of crabs is compromised due to the pollutants present in the mangroves that surround the port area in São Marcos’ Bay.

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