The association between reproductive success with persistent organochlorine pollutants residue in feathers of spur-winged lapwing (Vanellus spinosus L.)

Abstract

The reproductive and breeding success of wader species is negatively affected by various anthropogenic factors, including persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs). We aimed to study the association of POPs in feathers with the reproductive success of the spur-winged lapwing (Vanellus spinosus). For this purpose, data on reproductive parameters and feather samples were collected from a breeding population consisting of 19 pairs near Boğazkent district in Antalya, Turkey. Mean concentrations of total polychlorinated biphenyls (ΣPCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (ΣOCPs) were found to be 54 ± 16 ng/g and 520 ng/g in all samples, respectively. In particular, PCB 151 and β-hexachlorocyclohexane had a negative association the various reproductive parameters in the species under consideration. Fledgling success (n = 25) was calculated to be 37.4%, which was negatively associated with the ΣOCP concentrations (r = - 0.99, p = 0.01). According to the results, POP residues are one of the associated factors on the reproductive success of spur-winged lapwing along, with agricultural activity and predation. It is indicated that the species needs a protection plan for prevention declining reproductive success and population size species in Turkey. Besides, our results suggest that bird feathers are a non-destructive bio-monitoring tools to estimate of contamination levels of organic pollutants in a population.

Organochlorine pesticide residues in feathers of four bird species from western part of Turkey

“…In other words, the species order by means of OCP accumulation is in strong agreement with their ecological relations (Coat et al, 2011) and trophic levels (Alleva et al, 2006). The studies related to OCP residues in the keratinous tissue of mammals (Arıkan et al, 2018a) and birds (Arıkan et al, 2017;Arıkan et al, 2018b) in Turkey show that DDTs are at the highest levels when compared with other congeners. Studies on OCP residues in bird feathers from different countries support our findings that DDTs and congeners have the highest residue among other OCP congeners similar to the case of Turkey (Dauwe et al, 2005;Behrooz et al, 2009;Eulaers et al, 2013).…”

“…The specimens in the study could provide reliable data for OCP residue risks countrywide. Another important result of the study is using bird feathers for a nondestructive method as a suitable matrix for biomonitoring of OCP residues in birds and also across the country, as in most studies (D'Havé et al, 2006;Schramm, 2008;Arıkan et al, 2018b). A more comprehensive study using the nondestructive method is required in order to further develop this study and to easily determine the accumulation of OCPs across the country.…”

“…Therefore, birds are commonly used as a bioindicator species for monitoring organochlorine and other pesticide pollutants in the environment due to higher exposure (Letcher et al, 2010;Sletten et al, 2016). Higher residues of OCPs in tissues of birds also cause reproductive anomalies (Tiemann, 2008;Goutner et al, 2015), breeding failures (Blévinet al, 2017;Arıkan et al, 2018b), and developmental disorders (Fry, 1995;Tanabe, 2002;Bustnes et al, 2003).…”

“…Previous research has shown that pesticide accumulation levels are increasing in keratinous tissues as in other tissues of birds contending higher level dwellers of the food web (Hargrave et al, 1992;Corsoliniet al, 2006). Therefore, using keratinous tissue such as mammalian hair (Covaci and Schepens, 2001) and bird feathers (Jaspers et al, 2007;Abbasi et al, 2017;Arıkan et al, 2018b) as nondestructive biomonitoring methods (D'Havé et al, 2006) could be a more effective and widely accepted sampling technique for residue analysis, including OCPs. Besides, studies show that nondestructive biomonitoring methods (D'Havé et al, 2006) are a suitable, reliable, cost-effective, and expedient way to investigate and monitor OCPs in wildlife (Schramm, 2008).…”

“…There is a limited number of studies on the effects of OCPs on birds from Turkey. Arıkan et al (2018b) reported OCP residues in feathers as one of the factors associated with the reproductive success of spur-winged lapwing, which is a threatened bird species according to the IUCN Red List for birds of Turkey (Kiziroğlu, 2008). In addition, the northern bald ibis (Geronticus eremita), a globally vulnerable bird species, became extinct due to high DDT exposure during the 1960s in Turkey (Kiziroğlu, 1999;Kiliç and Uysal, 2015).…”