Effects of sublethal application of Deepwater Horizon oil to bird eggs on embryonic heart and metabolic rate

Following large crude oil spills, oil from feathers of brooding birds and oiled nesting material can transfer to eggs, resulting in reduced embryonic viability for heavily oiled eggs. Eggs may also be subjected to trace or light oiling, but functional teratogenic effects from sublethal crude oil exposure have not been examined. We assessed whether sublethal application of weathered Deepwater Horizon crude oil to the eggshell surface alters heart rate and metabolic rate in Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata) embryos. We first determined sublethal applications with a dosing experiment. Embryo viability for eggs exposed to 5 μL or more of crude oil decreased significantly. We conducted a second experiment to measure heart rate and metabolic rate (CO₂ production) 5 and 9 d after 1 sublethal application of crude oil to eggshells on day 3 of incubation. One application of 1.0 or 2.5 µL of crude oil reduced embryonic heart rate and metabolic rate on day 12 of incubation. Using unfertilized eggs, we measured the transfer of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from the eggshell surface to egg contents 9 d after a single application of sublethal crude oil. Our results suggest avian eggs externally exposed to small amounts of crude oil may exhibit protracted embryonic development and impaired postnatal cardiac performance.     

Differential swimming performance of two natricine snakes exposed to a cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticide

Environmental contaminants have direct effects on organisms at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels, but the net results of these sub-organismal effects are only consequential to exposed populations if they alter organism-level traits that ultimately influence fitness (e.g., growth, locomotor performance, reproduction, and survival). Here, we explore the possibility that the swimming performance of neonate black swamp snakes (Seminatrix pygaea) and diamondback water snakes (Nerodia rhombifer) may be affected by exposure to carbaryl (2.5 and 5.0 mg/L). The highest concentration of carbaryl caused greater reductions in swim velocity in S. pygaea than in N. rhombifer. Most individuals recovered from the effects of carbaryl on swimming performance within 96 h, but recovery was significantly slower in S. pygaea than in N. rhombifer. We hypothesize that the sensitivity of S. pygaea may arise from its highly permeable integument compared to other natricines. Our findings suggest that performance can serve as an ecologically relevant response to contaminant exposure in reptiles and warrants further study.     

盐池湾国家级自然保护区景观格局演变分析

景观格局演化是土地利用/覆盖变化和景观破碎化在时空上的直接表现,其时空演变过程和影响因素分析,对了解区域生态环境变化、维持生态系统平衡及可持续发展具有重要意义。该文基于1996、2006和2017年3期遥感影像,结合景观格局分析方法,对盐池湾国家级自然保护区近20年景观格局时空演变及影响因素进行分析。结果表明:1996-2017年盐池湾国家级自然保护区沼泽草地、沼泽地、冰川及永久积雪和沙地面积增幅分别为42.05%、63.24%、259.03%和87.62%,天然牧草地、河流水面和裸岩石砾地面积降幅分别为20.15%、24.33%和22.39%;斑块密度、最大斑块指数减小,斑块形状趋于简单,连通性增强,景观的破碎化程度降低;降水与冰川及永久积雪和裸岩石砾地呈显著相关(P<0.05),气温与各土地覆被类型之间关系不显著(P>0.05)。在自然和人为活动共同作用下,盐池湾国家级自然保护区的景观格局向连通性高、破碎化程度降低的方向演变。     

Impaired terrestrial and arboreal locomotor performance in the western fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis) after exposure to an AChE-inhibiting pesticide

We examined the effects of a commonly used AChE-inhibiting pesticide on terrestrial and arboreal sprint performance, important traits for predator avoidance and prey capture, in the western fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis). Lizards were exposed to carbaryl (2.5, 25, and 250 microg/g) and were raced before and 4, 24, and 96 h after dosing. In the terrestrial setting, exposure to low concentrations of carbaryl had stimulatory effects on performance, but exposure to the highest concentration was inhibitory. No stimulatory effects of carbaryl were noted in the arboreal environment and performance in lizards was reduced after exposure to both the medium and highest dose of carbaryl. Our findings suggest that acute exposure to high concentrations of carbaryl can have important sublethal consequences on fitness-related traits in reptiles and that arboreal locomotor performance is a more sensitive indicator of AChE-inhibiting pesticide poisoning than terrestrial locomotor performance.