In contrast to marine organisms, the presence of microplastics (MPs) in freshwater animals remains insufficiently studied. The aim of this study was to identify the occurrence of MPs in the digestive tracts of two fish species from a small lowland river (Widawa R., SW Poland). In total, 202 gudgeons and 187 roaches were collected, of which 54.5% and 53.9% had ingested MPlike particles, respectively. Feeding type and behaviour, sex and capture site (above or below the dam reservoir) did not affect the number of fish with MP-like particles.
Microplastics (MPs) are one of the major threats to aquatic ecosystems. Surprisingly, our knowledge of its occurrence and its impact on the organisms that dwell in small water bodies is still scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and chemical composition of MPs in tadpoles of pond-breeding amphibians. In total, 201 tadpoles belonging to 5 species were collected from 8 ponds located in southwestern Poland. MPs were found in all examined sites and in all studied species. Among those tested, 53 (26%) tadpoles ingested a total of 71 MPs. IR-ATR analysis revealed that particles were of anthropogenic origin and included nylon, polyurethane, polyisoprene and 1,2 polybutadiene.
The purpose of this review was to summarise the current species richness of helminths in the reptiles from Poland and to provide a hostparasite list along with studied localities. Between 1926 and 2018 the occurrence of at least 37 taxa of helminths were observed; of these, 19 belong to Trematoda, 14 to Nematoda, two to Cestoda, and two to Acanthocephala. In total, reports of 642 specimens of reptiles from 15 locations were included in this review, namely: 166 Natrix natrix (10 locations), 159 Vipera berus (6), 155 Lacerta agilis (6), 107 Zootoca vivipara (5), 52 Anguis fragilis sensu lato (4), and 3 Zamenis longissimus (1). The highest species richness of internal parasites was observed in N. natrix (at least 26 helminth taxa) and V. berus (20). Two out of nine species of reptiles, Coronella austriaca and Emys orbicularis, have not yet formed part of any helminthological surveys in Poland. To date, research conducted on helminths infecting reptiles has primarily been throughout eastern Poland. Over 60% of studied reptiles were caught in the Bieszczady Mts. or in Warsaw and its surroundings. Based on the current review, future research should focus on host species for which intestinal parasite data are poorly known i.e. E. orbicularis, Z. longissimus, C. austriaca. In general surveys should also expand into the western part of the country. Additionally, interspecies differences between two cryptic species of slow worms, Anguis fragilis and A. colchica, would provide interesting data on parasite host specificity.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.