First Data on Anthropogenic Microparticles in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Juvenile Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks (Sphyrna lewini) in the Gulf of California
Por:
Malthaner L., Garcia X., Rios-Mendoza L.M., Rivera-Hernández J.R., Cruz R., Amezcua F.
Publicada:
1 ene 2024
Resumen:
Scalloped hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini) are critically endangered, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, likely due to anthropogenic activities such as intense fishing and pollution. Nowadays, plastic debris contamination is a subject of concern due to its extensive presence in the sea and the digestive tracts of many fish species. The possible effects of plastic debris as a vector of other pollutants are still unknown. We analyzed the digestive tract of 58 hammerhead sharks to investigate the correlation between plastic and other anthropogenic microparticle contamination and their feeding habits in the eastern region of the Gulf of California, revealing a debris contamination occurrence of 79.3%. Out of these, 91.4% corresponded to fibers, and the remaining 8.6% to fragments. The main component of the debris was cellulose (64.4%). According to their diet, these organisms exhibit benthopelagic habits, feeding both in the water column and on the seabed. These results indicate a high level of contamination of anthropogenic cellulosic microfibers in the area. Although cellulosic microfibers are recognized as a biomaterial, they can be harmful to marine species, posing an additional threat to this iconic shark. This changed according to the year, indicating that the anthropogenic microparticle ingestion is related to the discharges of human activities and their seasonality rather than to a selection process by the sharks. © 2024 by the authors.
Filiaciones:
Malthaner L.:
International Master of Science in Marine Biological Resources, Ghent University, Ghent, 9000, Belgium
Garcia X.:
Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cto. de los Posgrados S/N, C.U., Coyoacán, México City, 04510, Mexico
Rios-Mendoza L.M.:
Natural Sciences Department, University of Wisconsin-Superior, P.O. Box 2000, Superior, 54880, WI, United States
Rivera-Hernández J.R.:
Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Sinaloa, Mazatlán, 82040, Mexico
Cruz R.:
Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Sinaloa, Mazatlán, 82040, Mexico
Amezcua F.:
Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Sinaloa, Mazatlán, 82040, Mexico
gold, All Open Access; Gold Open Access
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