Parasitic monogenoideans of Sciades herzbergii as bioindicators of environmental quality in amazonian estuarines ecosystems

This study evaluated the use of gill parasitic monogenoideans from Sciades herzbergii (Siluriformes: Ariidae) as bioindicators of environmental quality in Amazonian estuarine ecosystems. Fish were caught in the tidal channels in an impacted area - IA, near the port of São Luís and a reference area - RA, in the Caeté estuary, Bragança. The influence of the capture site and seasonality on parasite abundance, environmental variables and biometric data of hosts were verified. A total of 416 S. herzbergii specimens were analyzed. The weight and total length of fish from the RA were greater than those of the IA. The relative condition factor was influenced by seasonality. A total of 4,265 monogenoidean specimens from the following species were identified: Chauhanellus boegeri, C. susamlimae, C. velum, Calceostomella herzbergii and Dactylogyridae gen. sp. The seasonal mean parasitic abundance of C. susamlimae was significantly different, with the highest values recorded during the dry season. The mean abundance of C. herzbergii was influenced by seasonality and by the capture site. During the rainy period, the parasite indices in the RA were higher than those of IA. C. herzbergii is a bioindicator sensitive to low water quality, especially in relation to water turbidity in Amazon estuaries.

Intrinsic Markers Reveal Breeding Origin and Geographically-Structured Migration Timing of Two Songbird Species at a Coastal Stopover Site

We used stable hydrogen isotope markers to identify geographic provenance of Blackpoll Warblers (Setophaga striata) and Red-eyed Vireos (Vireo olivaceus) passing through a coastal stopover area in the Gulf of Maine on fall migration, and supplemented δ2 H signatures from feathers with wing length data as an additional proxy for migration origin, since geographic size variation has been documented for this species. We captured migrant blackpolls with putative origins from as close as the Adirondacks, New Brunswick, and northwestern Maine, and potentially as far as Alaska. We captured vireos with putative origins from as close as Maine and Nova Scotia, and potentially as far as British Columbia and Alberta. We found a significant relationship between blackpoll wing length and capture date indicating that birds with longer wings– and thus likely from more western and northern breeding regions – passed through the capture site earlier in the season than more local breeders. In contrast, vireos from more distant breeding latitudes passed through the capture site later in the season. These results demonstrate that mid-coast Maine serves as a catchment area for both Blackpoll Warblers, and Red-eyed Vireos, and provides some evidence that connectivity between breeding areas and stopover sites may be strong for blackpolls; however, additional study linking breeding and stopover sites across the migratory range of both species is necessary to understand more fully how strong connectivity is between breeding and stopover areas for these species.

Plasma cholinesterase activity as an environmental impact biomarker in juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas)

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate the enzymatic activity of plasma cholinesterase in Chelonia mydas marine turtles belonging to two populations, according to their capture sites, under the absence and probable influence of anthropic effects. A total of 74 animals were used and later divided into two groups, based on the capture site. Blood samples were collected from all captured animals, which were then released into the sea at the site of capture. A descriptive statistical analysis of the plasma cholinesterase activity values and an analysis comparing these values based on the capture site were performed. Samples of heparinized plasma from animals captured at the two different sites were analyzed. Plasma cholinesterase activity ranged from 121 to 248U/L, with a mean and standard deviation of 186.1±30.68U/L. When comparing plasma cholinesterase activity values in individuals based on the capture site, a significant difference was observed. Establishing reference values for different sea turtle populations is necessary to interpret future sampling results and to allow sea turtles to be used as sentinels of ecosystem health. Future studies are needed to evaluate other populations and the activity of plasma cholinesterase in juvenile marine turtles, in relation to environmental contamination.

Utilizing DNA metabarcoding to characterize the diet of marine-phase Arctic lamprey (Lethenteron camtschaticum) in the eastern Bering Sea

To understand the marine feeding ecology of Arctic lamprey (Lethenteron camtschaticum) in the eastern Bering Sea, visual observations and DNA metabarcoding of gut contents (N = 250) were used to characterize Arctic lamprey diet composition in 2014 and 2015. Differences among individual diets were evaluated by collection year, capture site, and fish size. Hard structures and tissues were observed during visual examinations of gut contents, and 10 ray-finned fish taxa were identified by DNA metabarcoding. The most frequently observed taxa included capelin (Mallotus villosus), Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii), Pacific sand lance (Ammodytes hexapterus), and gadids. Six taxa were reported for the first time as prey for Arctic lamprey. Individual diets differed between collection years, among capture sites, and among size classes; however, both collection year and size class explained only a small portion of diet variability (R2 = 0.01 and 0.04, respectively) relative to capture site (R2 = 0.49). These study results indicate that Arctic lamprey is a flesh-feeding species and highlight the value of DNA metabarcoding to characterize the diet of a poorly understood lamprey species.