Biological Responses of the American Coot (Fulica americana), in wetlands with contrasting environmental conditions (Basin of México)

ABSTRACT

Wetland ecosystems are subject to severe impacts (physical and chemical) and to the input of various xenobiotics that provoke toxicological consequences. Waterbirds are potential sentinel species of these environments. To analyze how habitat conditions affect the health of Fulica americana, early-warning biomarkers, histopathology, somatic indices, and water quality were examined in two wetlands of the Basin of Mexico: Xochimilco, an urban wetland highly eutrophic with a mixture of pollutants, and Tecocomulco (the reference site), a rural wetland with hunting migratory birds in winter, and with some agricultural contaminants. Coots were collected over 1 year, and the birds were aged, eviscerated, and weighed. Liver samples were analyzed biochemically and histologically. Biomarkers revealed that coots displayed higher lipid peroxidation and elevated activities of gamma-glutamyl transferase and alanine aminotransferase, suggesting hepatic damage during autumn and winter. In Tecocomulco, coots during winter has the highest thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (as a measure of oxidative stress), which may be associated with the presence of predators. In Tecocomulco, the higher gonadosomatic index was detected in spring and summer, while in Xochimilco it was elevated in summer, indicating a delayed egg laying and reproduction in coots from the latter study site. In both wetlands, leukocyte infiltration, alone or combined with vasocongestion, reflected alterations in the inflammatory processes in liver throughout the annual cycle and thus potentially altered hepatic function and organism survival. In both wetlands, coots were permanent residents and chronically exposed to different stressors, suggesting damage may be irreversible with potentially adversely reproductive consequences.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Ma. Teresa García Camacho for their laboratory assistance.

Funding

The authors would like to thank the Secretariat of Research and Posgrade of the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (SIP) for their economic support for this study (SIP 20111126, 20110602 and 20120931).

Compliance with ethical standards

All efforts were made to minimize animal suffering as well as the number of animals used. License for the collection of the aquatic birds was No. FAUT-0267, from the Secretariat of environment and natural resources (SEMARNAT).

The authors have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to thank the Secretariat of Research and Posgrade of the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (SIP) for their economic support for this study (SIP 20111126, 20110602 and 20120931).