Heavy metals in the habitat and throughout the food chain of the Neotropical otter, Lontra longicaudis, in protected Mexican wetlands |
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Authors: | Nadia N Ramos-Rosas Carolina Valdespino Jaqueline García-Hernández Juan P Gallo-Reynoso Eugenia J Olguín |
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Institution: | 1. Red de Biologia y Conservacion de Vertebrados, Instituto de Ecologia A. C., Carretera Antigua a Coatepec No. 351, El Haya, 91070, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico 2. Laboratorio de Ciencias Ambientales, Centro de Investigacion en Alimentacion y Desarrollo A. C., Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico 3. Laboratorio de Ecofisiologia, Centro de Investigacion en Alimentacion y Desarrollo A. C., Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico 4. Red de Manejo Biotecnologico de Recursos, Instituto de Ecologia A. C., Veracruz, Mexico
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Abstract: | Top predators like the Neotropical otter, Lontra longicaudis annectens, are usually considered good bioindicators of habitat quality. In this study, we evaluated heavy metal contamination (Hgtot, Pb, Cd) in the riverine habitat, prey (crustaceans and fish), and otter feces in two Ramsar wetlands with contrasting upstream contamination discharges: Río Blanco and Río Caño Grande in Veracruz, Mexico, during the dry, the wet, and the nortes seasons. Most comparisons revealed no differences between sites while seasonal differences were repeatedly detected for all of the compartments. Higher concentrations of Pb during the dry season and of Cd during the wet season in otter feces mirrored differences detected in the most seasonally consumed prey. Compared with fecal methylmercury values reported for the European otter (0.25–0.75 mg kg?1) in unprotected areas, the Hgtot levels that we measured were lower (0.02–0.17 mg kg?1). However, Pb (117.87 mg kg?1) and Cd (9.14 mg kg?1) concentrations were higher (Pb, 38.15 mg kg?1 and Cd, 4.72 mg kg?1) in the two Ramsar wetlands. Protected areas may shelter species, but those with water-linked diets may suffer the effect of chemicals used upstream. |
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