RESUMEN
Cane toads (Rhinella marina) were introduced worldwide and have become invasive in multiple locations, representing a major driver of biodiversity loss through competition (food, shelter, territory), predation, and the poisoning of native species. These toads have been used in Australia as a model for studies concerning invasion biology and ecoimmunology, as longer-established (core) and invasion front (edge) populations show altered stress and immune response profiles. Although cane toads were also introduced into the United States in the 1950s, these patterns have yet to be evaluated for the populations spanning Florida. Toads introduced into Florida have dispersed primarily northward along a latitudinal gradient, where they encounter cooler temperatures that may further impact stress and immune differences between core and edge populations. In this study, we sampled cane toads from nine different locations spanning their invasion in Florida. Cane toads from southern populations showed higher plasma bacterial killing ability and natural antibody titers than the toads from the northern populations, indicating they have a better immune surveillance system. Also, southern toads were more responsive to a novel stressor (1 hr restraint), showing a higher increase in corticosterone levels. These results indicate that possible trade-offs have occurred between immune and stress responses as these toads have become established in northern cooler areas in Florida.
Asunto(s)
Bufo marinus/inmunología , Estrés Fisiológico/inmunología , Animales , Actividad Bactericida de la Sangre , Bufo marinus/sangre , Bufo marinus/fisiología , Corticosterona/sangre , Femenino , Florida , Pruebas de Hemaglutinación , Especies Introducidas , Linfocitos/fisiología , Masculino , Neutrófilos/fisiología , Estrés Fisiológico/fisiología , TemperaturaRESUMEN
Contamination with pesticide residues affects the environmental health of agroecosystems, especially the amphibian fauna that lives in these environments. The objective of the present study was to determine pesticides concentrations in sediments of agroecosystems and to evaluate genetic damage in Rhinella marina populations living in these zones. A total of 91 individuals were collected, 51 in the group exposed in different areas of the middle region of the Sinú River (Irrigation District of Mocari 16, Irrigation District of Aguas Negras 21, Irrigation District of Cerete 14) and 40 in a control group; at the same time, 36 subsamples of sediments were taken at each sampled station to determine pesticides organochlorine by means of chromatography coupled with ISQ Thermo Scientific mass spectrometer. The micronucleus test was applied in erythrocytes of the individuals collected. Results showed the presence of persistent organochlorine pesticides (POPs) in the sediment samples (p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, and p,p'-DDD) of agricultural soils. Two individuals were registered with abnormalities in their limbs at the Mocari station, representing 12.5% of the morphological malformations to this sector. Micronucleus analysis revealed statistically significant genetic damage in exposed individuals (Mocari 9.87 ± 5.1, Cerete 7.7 ± 1.7, Aguas Negras 5.6 ± 3.6) with respect to the control group (2.4 ± 1.9) (p < 0.05). Spearman correlation analysis revealed a positive association between genetic damage and POP concentrations (p < 0.05). In addition, cellular alterations such as nuclear buds, and pyknosis (cell death), were statistically significant in the exposed group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). This study suggests that there is evidence for morphological and genotoxic effects in R. marina populations inhabiting areas influenced by agriculture, possibly associated with the presence of p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDD, and p,p'-DDE.
Asunto(s)
Agricultura/métodos , Bufo marinus/genética , Monitoreo del Ambiente/métodos , Residuos de Plaguicidas/análisis , Ríos/química , Contaminantes del Suelo/análisis , Animales , Bufo marinus/anomalías , Bufo marinus/sangre , Colombia , Ecosistema , Humanos , Micronúcleos con Defecto Cromosómico/efectos de los fármacos , Micronúcleos con Defecto Cromosómico/estadística & datos numéricos , Residuos de Plaguicidas/toxicidad , Estaciones del Año , Suelo/química , Contaminantes del Suelo/toxicidadRESUMEN
The Coatzacoalcos Region in Veracruz, Mexico houses one of the most important industrial complexes in Mexico and Latin America. Lead is an ubiquitous environmental pollutant which represents a great risk to human health and ecosystems. Amphibian populations have been recognized as biomonitors of changes in environmental conditions. The purpose of this research is to measure exposure to lead and evaluate hematological and biochemical effects in specimens of giant toads (Rhinella marina) taken from three areas surrounding an industrial complex in the Coatzacoalcos River downstream. Lead levels in toads' blood are between 10.8 and 70.6 µg/dL and are significantly higher in industrial sites. We have found a significant decrease in the delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (δ-ALAD) activity in blood from 35.3 to 78 % for the urban-industrial and industrial sites, respectively. In addition, we have identified a strong inverse relationship between the δ-ALAD activity and the blood lead levels (r = -0.84, p < 0.001). Hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin levels, as well as the condition factor, are found to be lower at industrial sites compared with the reference sites. Our results suggest that the R. marina can be considered a good biomonitor of the δ-ALAD activity inhibition and hematological alterations at low lead concentrations.
Asunto(s)
Bufo marinus/sangre , Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales/estadística & datos numéricos , Contaminantes Ambientales/sangre , Hemoglobinas/metabolismo , Plomo/sangre , Porfobilinógeno Sintasa/sangre , Animales , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Contaminación Ambiental/estadística & datos numéricos , Industrias , México , Porfobilinógeno Sintasa/antagonistas & inhibidoresRESUMEN
Resting respiratory behavior of Bufo marinus in minimally instrumented toads is described for a period of 24 hours in which the animals are left undisturbed. Torpor-related long apneas are described and their implications for blood gas levels are investigated. Results show that the resting ventilation rate of Bufo marinus is much lower than that reported so far. Levels of arterial oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH are monitored during artificial long apneas induced by anesthesia. The toads showed an unexpected ability to unload carbon dioxide by non-respiratory means, even while being kept on dry plastic box with no access to water. Oxygen arterial partial pressure dropped to very low levels after one hour of apnea. This suggests that these animals may endure very well severe hypoxia for long periods of time while in torpor.