Introduction: Recognition of the variety of ecosystem services that biodiversity performs in agroecosystems is one of the basic principles of agroecology. Because indices of functional diversity may be directly related with ecosystem... more
Introduction: Recognition of the variety of ecosystem services that biodiversity performs in agroecosystems is one of the basic principles of agroecology. Because indices of functional diversity may be directly related with ecosystem services, an assessment of functional diversity can be useful for evaluating ecosystem services provided under agroecological management. Objective: We compared functional diversity of birds found in rice fields under conventional and agroecological management in the rice zone of Santa Fe Province, Argentina. Our objective was to determine whether agroecological management of rice is associated with a higher functional diversity and a different functional composition of birds than conventional management. Methods: We surveyed birds eight times, roughly every 15 days between November 2017 and March 2018, from beginning of sowing to before harvest, in both types of rice fields. Birds were sampled by a combined technique of line transects and point counts ...
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Monoculture tree plantations reduces landscape heterogeneity and the number and diversity of habitats available for species. Physical-chemical changes in soil may affect the ponds where tadpoles develop. This work aimed to study the... more
Monoculture tree plantations reduces landscape heterogeneity and the number and diversity of habitats available for species. Physical-chemical changes in soil may affect the ponds where tadpoles develop. This work aimed to study the effect on tadpoles of two species of frogs, Leptodactylus luctator (Ll) and Odontophrynus reigi (Or) exposed to soils from a pine plantation (PP), which were compared to tadpoles exposed to soils from Atlantic Forest, the native forest (NF). The impact of soils from both places on growth, development, antioxidant system and genetic damage of Ll and Or tadpoles were observed. A composite sample (5 kg) of soil was taken from the top 10 cm stratum in a 200 m transect in each site, with random plots of 50x50cm. In collected soil samples Organic Matter (OM), Organic Carbon (OC), and Total Nitrogen (TN) were determined. We conducted laboratory experiments, from 23 until 38 Gosner stages. During the experiment, pH and ammonium in the water were determined. Soil from NF presented higher content of OM, OC and TN, and water pH in PP was 0.2 units lower than in NF. Both species showed ≈60 % increase of catalase activity in PP, and ≈40 % increase of lipid peroxidation in NF. Ll tadpoles presented 10 times higher protein oxidation in PP than in NF, but Gosner stage was higher in NF. In NF the higher OM and OC in both species causes the increase of lipid peroxidation; and Ll responds to a stressor in PP that in Or is not observed. Or presented lower stress response towards PP soils, which indicates a tolerance towards this soil. The changes observed in soil chemistry, although not big from a physical-chemical point of view, affects the growth, development and oxidative stress of two species of anuran tadpoles from the NF, which can affect future populations and anuran diversity.
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The lower Salado River basin receive agricultural, industrial and domestic waste water. So, the aim was to evaluate the quality of three sampling sites that belong to the Salado River basin (S1: Cululú stream; S2: Salado River, at... more
The lower Salado River basin receive agricultural, industrial and domestic waste water. So, the aim was to evaluate the quality of three sampling sites that belong to the Salado River basin (S1: Cululú stream; S2: Salado River, at Esperanza City, S3: Salado River at Santo Tomé City) based on physicochemical parameters, metals and pesticides analyses and ecotoxicity on Rhinella arenarum larvae. R. arenarum larvae (Gosner Stage-GS-25) were chronically exposed (504h) to complex matrixes of surface water and sediment samples of each site for the determination of the survival rate. Biomarkers of oxidative stress, neurotoxicity and genotoxicity were analyzed in R. arenarum larvae (GS. 25) after exposure (96h) to the complex matrix of water and sediment. The water quality index showed a marginal quality for all sites, influenced mainly by low dissolved oxygen, high total suspended solid, phosphate, nitrite, conductivity, Pb, Cr and Cu levels. Metal concentrations were higher in sediment than in water samples (̃34-35000 times). In total, thirty different pesticides were detected in all water and sediment samples, S1 presented the greatest variety (26). Glyphosate and AMPA were detected in sediments from all sites, being higher in S3. N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) and atrazine were detected in all water samples. Greatest mortality was observed in larvae exposed to samples from S1 from 288h (43.3%), reaching a maximum value of 50% at 408h. Oxidative stress and genotoxicity were observed in larvae exposed to S1 and S3 matrix samples. Neurotoxicity was observed in larvae exposed to all matrix samples. The integrated biomarker response index showed that larvae exposed to S1 and S3 were the most affected. According to the physicochemical data and the ecotoxicity assessment, this important river basin is significantly degraded and may represent a risk to aquatic biota, especially for R. arenarum larvae.
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Agroecology and Crop
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Fil: Cabagna Zenklusen, Mariana Cristina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquimica y Ciencias Biologicas. Laboratorio de Saneamiento Ambiental. Catedra de Ecotoxicologia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones... more
Fil: Cabagna Zenklusen, Mariana Cristina. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquimica y Ciencias Biologicas. Laboratorio de Saneamiento Ambiental. Catedra de Ecotoxicologia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Santa Fe; Argentina
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Fil: Attademo, Andres Maximiliano. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquimica y Ciencias Biologicas. Laboratorio de Saneamiento Ambiental. Catedra de Ecotoxicologia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas... more
Fil: Attademo, Andres Maximiliano. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquimica y Ciencias Biologicas. Laboratorio de Saneamiento Ambiental. Catedra de Ecotoxicologia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas; Argentina
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Tadpoles detect chemical signals released from predators and conspecifics, and those present in the environment, and adjust their behavioral responses. This study evaluated the swimming activity of Rhinella dorbignyi (Duméril and Bibron,... more
Tadpoles detect chemical signals released from predators and conspecifics, and those present in the environment, and adjust their behavioral responses. This study evaluated the swimming activity of Rhinella dorbignyi (Duméril and Bibron, 1941) tadpoles exposed to chemical signals, including cues from a predator fish Synbranchus marmoratus Bloch, 1975 and an injured conspecific; sublethal concentration of insecticide cypermethrin; and their combination. Swimming behavior (total distance moved, average speed, global activity, number of contacts between tadpoles) was evaluated in an individual (1) and groups of different size (3, 5, 7 and 10 tadpoles) using a video-tracking software tool. Predator exposure modified behavioral parameters, reducing encounters with predators and, therefore, mortality. Total distance moved and average speed increased in trials involving 1 tadpole and 3 interacting tadpoles exposed to injured conspecifics, whereas global activity increased in all group size...
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The effects of glyphosate (GLY)-based and glufosinate ammonium (GA)-based herbicides (GBH and GABH, respectively) and polyethylene microplastic particles (PEMPs) on Scinax squalirostris tadpoles were assessed. Tadpoles were exposed to... more
The effects of glyphosate (GLY)-based and glufosinate ammonium (GA)-based herbicides (GBH and GABH, respectively) and polyethylene microplastic particles (PEMPs) on Scinax squalirostris tadpoles were assessed. Tadpoles were exposed to nominal concentrations of both herbicides (from 1.56 to 100 mg L-1) and PEMPs (60 mg L-1), either alone or in combination, and toxicity evaluated at 48 h. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), carboxylesterase (CbE), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities were analyzed at the three lowest concentrations (1.56, 3.12 and 6.25 mg L-1, survival rates >85%) of both herbicides alone and with PEMPs. Additionally, the thermochemistry of the interactions between the herbicides and polyethylene (PE) was analyzed by Density Functional Theory (DFT). The median-lethal concentration (LC50) was 43.53 mg L-1 for GBH, 38.56 mg L-1 for GBH + PEMPs, 7.69 for GABH, and 6.25 mg L-1 for GABH+PEMPs. The PEMP treatment increased GST but decreased CbE activity, whereas GBH and GABH treatments increased GST but decreased AChE activity. In general, the mixture of herbicides with PEMPs increased the effect observed in the individual treatments: the highest concentration of GBH + PEMPs increased GST activity, whereas GABH+PEMP treatments decreased both AChE and CbE activities. DFT analysis revealed spontaneous interactions between the herbicides and PE, leading to the formation of bonds at the herbicide-PE interface, significantly stronger for GA than for GLY. The experimental and theoretical findings of our study indicate that these interactions may lead to an increase in toxicity when pollutants are together, meaning potential environmental risk of these combinations, especially in the case of GA.
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Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a broad spectrum pesticide commonly used for insect control, has great affinity for lipids and is thus a potential for bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of CPF... more
Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a broad spectrum pesticide commonly used for insect control, has great affinity for lipids and is thus a potential for bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicity of CPF using the common toad Rhinella arenarum via dermal uptake in plastic bucket to simulate their natural exposition in ponds. R. arenarum toads were exposed individually to solutions containing a nominal concentration of a commercial formulation of CPF insecticide (5 and 10 mg/L). Different enzyme biomarkers (BChE: butyrylcholinesterase, CbE: carboxylesterase, and CAT: catalase) were measured in blood tissue after exposition. The capacity of pyridine-2-aldoxime methochloride (2-PAM) to reverse OP-inhibited plasma BChE and the ratio of heterophils and lymphocytes (H/L) as hematological indicators of stress were also determined. The normal values of plasma B-sterases (BChE and CbE) were highly inhibited (until ≈ 70%) in toads 48 h after exposure to CPF. T...
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Amphibians have complex life cycles with aquatic and terrestrial life and uncovered skins; therefore, they are exposed to chemical contamination, where dermal exposure is a significant route for pesticide uptake in both habitats. In this... more
Amphibians have complex life cycles with aquatic and terrestrial life and uncovered skins; therefore, they are exposed to chemical contamination, where dermal exposure is a significant route for pesticide uptake in both habitats. In this study, measurements in blood samples such as levels of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), carboxylesterase (CbE), glutathione S-transferases (GST), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), modified alkaline comet assay (ACA) for detection of oxidized bases (FPG and Endo III sites), as well as the ratio of heterophils and lymphocytes (H/L), were evaluated as non-destructive biomarkers to monitor dermal pesticide exposure in male toads of Rhinella arenarum. Toads were exposed to a solution containing a nominal concentration of commercial formulations of the insecticide chlorpyrifos (CPF, 10 mg/L), and herbicides 2,4-D and glyphosate (GLY) (20 mg/L, respectively). After 48 h of exposure, the levels of plasma B-sterases (BChE and CbE) were inhibited (55 and 43 %, respectively) in toads exposed to CPF. Also, the activity of GST was inducted for dermal exposure to 2,4-D, as well as the levels of TBARS due to CPF exposure. Besides this, CPF and 2,4-D exposure induced oxidative DNA damage, and the H/L ratio decreased for the both herbicide exposures. Our results showed that exposure via dermal uptake to CPF, 2,4-D, and GLY in the common toad R. arenarum induced neurotoxicity, oxidative stress, and immunological depression. Thus, some blood biomarkers employed in our study (B-esterases, GST, levels of TBARS, ACA, and H/L ratio) might be used as predictors in health and ecological risk assessment of amphibian populations exposed to OP insecticides and herbicides.
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SERVATION).-The focus of this chapter are the biology diversity, ecotoxicology, and conservation of anurans of the Santa Fe and Entre Ríos Provinces of Argentina. Riparian areas of the Paraná River offer favorable conditions for the... more
SERVATION).-The focus of this chapter are the biology diversity, ecotoxicology, and conservation of anurans of the Santa Fe and Entre Ríos Provinces of Argentina. Riparian areas of the Paraná River offer favorable conditions for the existence and distribution of ...
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Through the participation of nine specialists from different institutions from all over Argentina and after more than a decade from the first Red List of threatened herpetofauna proposed by Asociacion Herpetologica Argentina in 2000, we... more
Through the participation of nine specialists from different institutions from all over Argentina and after more than a decade from the first Red List of threatened herpetofauna proposed by Asociacion Herpetologica Argentina in 2000, we assessed the conservation status of the argentine Testudines taxa, adding the new taxonomic, biological and ecological knowledge progresses made since then as well as applying methodological changes in the former assessment. As a result from the 14 turtles taxa recognized as present in Argentina, nine were included in the actual Red List under some degree of risk (three Critically Endangered, three Endangered, three Vulnerable). From the remaining ones, three were classified as Insufficiently Known and two as Not Threatened. In the classification of the three marine turtles that are frequently found in argentine coasts we adopted the IUCN (2011) Red List criteria. In relation with the former categorization, we included a new species registered in Arg...
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Geography, Humanities, Argentina, Ecology, Endangered Species, and 14 moreEvaluación, Wetland, Reptiles, Herpetología, Red List, Conservación, IUCN Red List, Ciencias Biológicas, Anfibios, Ciencias Naturales, Zoología, Enseñanza - Aprendizaje Ciencias Naturales Y Exactas, Serpientes, and Cuadernos de Herpetologia
Alimentacion de la lagartija colilarga Psammodromus algirus (L) (Sauria, Lacertidae), en el litoral de Huelva (SO Espana
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Amphibians´ skin produces a diverse array of antimicrobial peptides that play a crucial role as the first line of defense against microbial invasion. Despite the immense richness of wild amphibians in Argentina, current knowledge about... more
Amphibians´ skin produces a diverse array of antimicrobial peptides that play a crucial role as the first line of defense against microbial invasion. Despite the immense richness of wild amphibians in Argentina, current knowledge about the presence of peptides with antimicrobial properties is limited to a only few species. Here we used LC-MS-MS to identify antimicrobial peptides with masses ranging from 1000 to 4000 Da from samples of skin secretions of Leptodactylus latrans (Anura: Leptodactylidae). Three novel amino acid sequences were selected for chemical synthesis and further studies. The three synthetic peptides, named P1-Ll-1577, P2-Ll-1298, and P3-Ll-2085, inhibited the growth of two ATCC strains, namely Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. P3-Ll-2085 was the most active peptide. In the presence of trifluoroethanol (TFE) and anionic liposomes, it adopted an amphipathic α-helical structure. P2-Ll-1298 showed slightly lower activity than P3-Ll-2085. Comparison of the MI...
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Microbiology, Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Antimicrobial Peptides, Medicine, and 13 moreSynthesis, Escherichia coli, FROGS, Peptides, Peptide, Antimicrobial, Antibacterial activity, Molecules, Peptidomics, Amino Acid Profile, Enseñanza - Aprendizaje Ciencias Naturales Y Exactas, Química Orgánica, and Ciencias Químicas
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Se estudio la dieta y se determino la tactica trofica de nueve especies de leptodactilidos (Anura: Leptodactylidae) en un remanente fluvio-forestal asociado al rio Parana Medio (Parque General San Martin, La Picada, Entre Rios). Ademas,... more
Se estudio la dieta y se determino la tactica trofica de nueve especies de leptodactilidos (Anura: Leptodactylidae) en un remanente fluvio-forestal asociado al rio Parana Medio (Parque General San Martin, La Picada, Entre Rios). Ademas, se analizo la correlacion entre el tamano de las presas y la morfometria de los taxones estudiados. Finalemente, se determino el solapamiento de la dieta entre las nuevas especies de anuros. En 104 especimenes analizados se encontraron 792 presas, 628 (79%) en los estomagos y 164 (21%) en los intestinos. Las especies de anuros consumieron una amplia variedad de artopodos, principalmente insectos y aracnidos, siendo Coleoptera y Araneae los ordenes mas importantes. Dentro del espectro trofico se reconocieron, principalmente, artopodos de habitos terrestres, edaficos (habitantes del mantillo), habitantes de la vegetacion baja, frecuentadores de flores y frutos, y algunos acuaticos. Ademas, se verifico una correlacion del tamano medio de las presas con el ancho de la boca y largo del cuerpo de las distintas especies de anfibios. Por ultimo, los resultados del analisis del solapamiento mostraron que las dietas de las nueve especies tienen en general un bajo grado de solapamiento.
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Most studies on biological invasions are performed when populations attain high densities and successful controlling measures are difficult to implement. However, if detection is early and basic aspects of distribution, dispersion, and... more
Most studies on biological invasions are performed when populations attain high densities and successful controlling measures are difficult to implement. However, if detection is early and basic aspects of distribution, dispersion, and habitat use are known, it is possible to develop control strategies and prevent further spread. The European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus Linneaus, 1758, is a species native to southern Europe and northern Africa, and was introduced successfully in all continents except Antarctica and Asia (Smith and Boyer 2008). Rabbits are considered ecosystem engineers because their activities produce marked ecosystem-level effects. Construction of burrows alters soil structure and composition while selective feeding modifies richness and diversity of plant species (Eldridge and Myers 2001). Although rabbits have been extensively studied in their native and introduced ranges, in Patagonia the spread and effects of this herbivore on vegetation and wildlife remain un...
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Retinoids are known to regulate important processes such as differentiation, development, and embryogenesis of vertebrates: Alteration in endogenous retinoids concentration is linked with teratogenic effects. Retinol (ROH), retinoid acid... more
Retinoids are known to regulate important processes such as differentiation, development, and embryogenesis of vertebrates: Alteration in endogenous retinoids concentration is linked with teratogenic effects. Retinol (ROH), retinoid acid (RA), and isoform 13-Cis-retinoic acid (13-Cis-RA), in plasma of a native adults frog, Leptodactylus chaquensis from a rice field (RF) and a forest (reference site; RS) were measured. ROH did not vary between treatment sites. RA and 13-Cis-RA activities were higher (93.7±8.6μgmL(-1) and 131.7±11.4μgmL(-1), respectively) in individuals collected from RF than in those from RS (65.5±8.6μgmL(-1) and 92.2±10.2μgmL(-1), respectively). The ratios retinoic acid-retinol (RA/ROH) and 13-Cis-RA/ROH revealed significantly higher values in RF than in RS. RA and 13-Cis-RA concentrations in plasma on wild amphibian's species such as L. chaquensis would be suitable biomarkers of pesticide exposure in field monitoring. Finally, the mechanism of alteration in ret...
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The description of amphibian hematology is scarce and most of these studies have been done in species from North America, Asia and Europe. With the purpose to obtain basic hematological information of Rhinella fernandezae, 23 blood... more
The description of amphibian hematology is scarce and most of these studies have been done in species from North America, Asia and Europe. With the purpose to obtain basic hematological information of Rhinella fernandezae, 23 blood samples from Santa Fe and Entre Rios natural reserves were studied. Blood of each individual was extracted by cardiac puncture and hemograms were carried out. Morphological and cytochemical description of blood cells were analyzed in slides and were inspected for extra and intra cellular parasites. Five leucocytes types were observed, being lymphocytes the predominant ones followed by basophiles. Heterophils and eosinophils were positive to PAS, Sudan B and peroxidase. The erythrocytes and its precursors were negative for cytochemical reactions. Micronuclei and nuclear alterations frequencies were scarce. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed between sexes neither in hemograms nor in blood cells morphology. Microfilarias were the only hem...
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We determined the levels of brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and tail butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activities in tadpoles of Odontophrynus americanus exposed to a commercial formulation of fenitrothion. The mean brain AChE activities in... more
We determined the levels of brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and tail butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activities in tadpoles of Odontophrynus americanus exposed to a commercial formulation of fenitrothion. The mean brain AChE activities in the controls tadpoles varied from 6.91 to 6.39 micromol min(-1) mg(-1) protein, whereas tail BChE activities ranged among 0.26 to 0.17 micromol min(-1) mg(-1) protein; the two sublethal concentrations of fenitrothion assayed produced AChE and BChE inhibition (p < 0.01). Brain AChE recovered a substantial level of activity with a maximum of 93.2%; after the transference of tadpoles to a free-pesticide solution, whereas tail BChE recovery showed a smaller increase (39%) in the activity at 168 hr after to transference to clear water. According with our results, we suggest that tadpole's tail BChE presents higher sensibility than brain AChE.