Conceptualización del buen vivir “Sumak Kawsay”

non-standardized test protocols suitable to address the gaps for specific protection goals defined for amphibians and reptiles. Care was taken to address all relevant routes of exposure, life-stages, and short and long term effects. Reptiles have very little data with which to assess the coverage of important life stages and exposure routes. Current knowledge suggests that surrogacy based on bird or mammal data may not be appropriate for the juvenile and adult stages of reptiles, though data are very limited. Reptile eggs are not covered by any aspect of the current risk assessment paradigm, but it is unknown to what extent reptiles lay eggs in crop fields, and how likely exposures are to occur to eggs under realistic scenarios. Therefore, more data are needed to determine if this is a vulnerable life stage that needs specific consideration. The concerns that the current risk assessment of pesticides may not sufficiently cover the risk to reptiles were supported after the analysis of the currently available data. The exercise provides a useful base for further research necessary to advance the ecotoxicological risk assessment of reptiles within the remit of the pesticide authorization.

MO052

AmphiMove: Moving patterns and microhabitat selection of European anurans in agricultural landscapes

J. Sadowski, Julius Kuehn Institute / Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research; A. Esther, Julius Kuehn-Institute - Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants / Institute for Plant Protection in Horticulture and Forests, Vertebrate Research

The current decline of amphibian populations on global and local scales is discussed by scientists around the world. Studies suggest that enhanced application of plant protection products (PPP) is one of the main reasons that today amphibians represent the most endangered vertebrate group in Europe. The first version of a scientific opinion currently released by EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) highlights the need for including amphibians in the risk assessment of plant protection products. Specifics in terms of physiology (e.g., permeable skin) and ecology (aquatic and terrestrial life-stages in combination to complex moving patterns and habitat preferences) make this taxon in particular vulnerable to pesticide applications in agricultural landscapes. It is emphasized that detailed ecological data of especially terrestrial amphibians is still under-represented but required for a comprehensive risk evaluation of all amphibian life-stages. The aim of the project AmphiMove is to fill the data gap on terrestrial life-phases of European anurans with focus on moving patterns and microhabitat selection in agricultural landscapes. At two study sites individuals of common toads (Bufo bufo) and common frogs (Rana temporaria) were caught at and around their breeding ponds, fit with a transmitter and afterwards tracked via radio-telemetry. Locations, biotic and abiotic parameters of the selected microhabitats were recorded daily. We show preliminary results of the first period of data collection for common toads from March to October 2017.

MO053

A quantitative AOP for activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor leading to early life stage mortality in amphibians and reptiles

A. Schroeder, University of Minnesota-Crookston / Math, Science and Technology; J.A. Doering, US EPA / Mid Continent Ecology Division; M. Brinkmann, University of Saskatchewan / School of Environment and Sustainability and Toxicology Centre; M. Lucio, S. Stoeck, University of Minnesota Crookston / Math, Science, and Technology Department; Z. Currie, University of Saskatchewan Toxicology Centre / Toxicology Centre; M. Hecker, University of Saskatchewan / School of the Environment & Sustainability and Toxicology Centre

Differences in sensitivities to chemicals among species and taxa is a major challenge for accurate ecological risk assessments. Most toxicity information is collected for a few model species and little is known about the relationship between the sensitivity of the model species compare to non-model species. Quantitative adverse outcome pathways (qAOPs) are quantitative, biologically-based models which describe key event relationships that link a molecular initiating event to an adverse outcome. qAOPs can serve as a useful tool to determine the relationship between the sensitivity of chemicals with a molecular initiating event and an adverse outcome among species. Previously, a qAOP had been described for the indirect relationship between activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) by dioxin-like compounds (DLCs) and embryo-mortality in birds and fishes. It was hypothesized that this qAOP was also applicable to amphibians and reptiles. However, little is known about whether the sensitivity to activation of AHR is predictive of sensitivity to DLCs of embryos of any amphibians or reptiles. Therefore, in order to test the hypothesis of applicability to amphibians and reptiles, this study investigated sensitivities to activation of AHRs in an in vitro

transactivation assay to in vivo embryo sensitivities for an amphibian, the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis), and a reptile, the common snapping turtle (Chelydra

serpentina). Embryo-mortality was assessed in African clawed frog embryos

exposed to serial concentrations of one of two DLCs:

2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF) or 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (PeCDF). Embryo-mortality was assessed in common snapping turtle embryos exposed to serial concentrations of one of four DLCs: TCDF, PeCDF,

3,3’,4,4’,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB 126), or 2,3,7,8-tetracholordibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Further, in vitro AHR transactivation assays were used to determine sensitivity to activation of the AHR1 isoform of African clawed frog and common

snapping turtle to these selected DLCs. It is anticipated that this research will result in a single qAOP linking in vitro activation of the AHR to embryo-mortality with taxonomic applicability across phylogenetically diverse oviparous vertebrates, including birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes. This qAOP could guide more objective ecological risk assessments of DLCs to diverse taxa which are not easily studied, such as native species of reptiles and amphibians.

MO054

Do historically metal-exposed amphibian populations acquire resistance to lethal levels?

E. Fasola, University of Coimbra; M. Ortiz Santaliestra, Institute for Game and Wildlife Research (IREC) UCLM-CSIC-JCCM; J. Pareja Carrera, IREC-UCLM / IREC-UCLM; M. Martinez-Haro, Institute of Game and Wildlife Research (IREC) UCLM-CSIC-JCCM; R. Ribeiro, Universidade de Coimbra / Life Sciences; R. Mateo, IREC-CSIC- UCLM / Grupo de Toxicología de Fauna Silvestre; I. Lopes, University of Aveiro / Department of Biology & CESAM, 3810-193 Aveiro The aims of this work were to 1) determine oxidative stress and metal burden in anuran tadpoles from historically metal exposed populations (Hg/Pb), and 2) assess if tadpoles from impacted sites have increased tolerance to metals relative to tadpoles from reference sites. Metal body burden, oxidative stress biomarkers and metallothioneins (MT) were measured in Pelophylax perezi tadpoles from reference and metal contaminated sites. Additional tadpoles (20 per site) were collected and exposed in lab conditions during 24h to Hg or Pb levels above the median lethal concentrations reported for amphibians (1.5 and 10.5 mg/l, respectively). The parameters mentioned above plus mortality were monitored at the end of the assay. Field-collected tadpoles from Pb and Hg polluted sites had higher metal body burden than those from reference sites (median per site as d.w. 540.4-708.1 vs 2.6-9.5 ng Pb/g, 768.2-31035.3 vs 0.01 ng Hg/g; all p< 0.01). Levels of MT (median, µg/g tissue) were significantly higher in tadpoles from Hg polluted sites than in the rest of locations (248.5-307.7 vs. 63.9-138.6; p< 0.01), suggesting that MT levels can be induced, in natural populations, by the sum of environmental factors. Exposure to Hg caused mortality of all individuals, while Pb did not result lethal to tadpoles. Laboratory exposure revealed that experimental treatment rather than pollution at the origin site determined Pb body burden (controls: from reference site 96.7-120.4 ng/g, from Pb site 118-491.6 ng/g; Pb-exposed: from reference site 36979.9-54760.4 ng/g, from Pb site: 9043.5-78452.4 ng/g), showing that Pb was readily bioavailable for exposed tadpoles. Lab exposure to Pb increased MT levels in tadpoles from reference sites (exposed vs. non-exposed: 116.13 vs. 41.70 µg/g; p< 0.01), but not in those from Pb-polluted areas. Oxidative stress biomarkers did not differ either between origin sites or because of experimental exposure to Pb. MT levels in tadpoles from reference populations that were taken to the laboratory and kept as controls decreased during their permanency in the laboratory (105.99-138.66 vs 29.72-41.70 µg/g; p< 0.05). This could be

consequence of a reduction in the laboratory of stress sources other than metals that can also induce MT synthesis (e.g. thermal stress). The fact that this decrease was not observed in tadpoles from Pb-polluted sites (105.61-109.41 vs 193.50-130.23 µg/g; p< 0.05) would suggest that these animals may have high constitutive MT levels.

MO055

Assessment of metal contamination levels and stress responses of endangered sea turtles of São Tomé and Principe

I.F. Morão, S.C. Novais, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria / MARE IPLeiria; I. Vieira, ATM - Associação para o Estudo, Proteção e Conservação das Tartarugas Marinhas nos Países de Língua Portuguesa; C. Barata, CSIC / Environmental Chemistry; B. Pina, IDAEA-CSIC / Department of Environmental Chemistry; M.F. Lemos, Instituto Politécnico de Leiria / MARE IPLeiria

São Tomé Island harbors important sea turtle nesting and feeding sites. However, insufficient enforcement of environmental laws to avoid illegal take of nesting females and eggs, associated with a great lack of knowledge about how these species interact with their environment and how human activities impact their survival in the region, constitute significant challenges for sea turtle conservation. Through current local conservation projects, some information on genetics and nutrition of sea turtle populations is being unveiled but very little is known about how ocean pollution is impacting these turtles. The main objective of this study was to assess the metal concentrations accumulated by two species of S. Tomé sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata and Chelonia mydas) and infer about possible impacts of such contamination on their general stress responses and health status. More specifically, the final goal was to find correlations between metals in their tissues and the expression of key genes involved in detoxification/sequestration and metal transport, antioxidant responses and oxidative stress, immunological responses, mitochondrial respiratory and energy production, among others, which could be indicative of these organisms health and future viability. To achieve these goals, nesting female turtles were sampled for blood and skin tissues, immediately after egg laying in their well-documented spawning sites in S. Tomé. Skin samples were collected from the right front flipper of the turtles and stored at -20ºC until analysis of metal concentrations. Blood samples were withdrawn from the external jugular vein and stored in RNAlater at -20°C until RNA extraction and gene expression analysis using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Additionally, body mass and carapace length were also recorded, along with all information regarding

egg spawning and its success. Results showed significant correlations between expression of some genes and metal contaminant levels, pinpointing some candidate genes to be used as biomarkers of interest for biomonitoring campaigns, which worrying function highlights the need for a close follow-up of these organisms. This study represents the first attempt to address pollutant levels and the biological impairments of such stressors in these turtle species nesting in S. Tomé which, given their classification as endangered species (IUCN red list), is of paramount importance to contribute for conservation measures and management.

MO056

Ecotoxicology of Africa's three largest reptiles: POPs, metals, eggs, and eggshells

H. Bouwman, North-West University / Unit for Environmental Science and Management; R. Nel, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University / Department of Zoology; H. Kylin, Linköping University / Department of Thematic Studies Environmental Change; D. Govender, SANParks; M. Du Preez, North West University / Zoology

The Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus), Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta) and Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) are the largest reptiles in Africa. The bioaccumulation and effects of metals and metalloids on large-bodied reptiles are less well known compared with birds and mammals, especially those from Sub-Saharan Africa. Globally, reptiles are experiencing declines, and pollution is one of the hypothesized reasons for the decline. The Nile Crocodile and

Loggerhead Turtle are at relatively high trophic levels, with the Nile Crocodile also being the largest predator in Africa. We sampled eggs from these three species (27 crocodile, and 10 each from the two turtle species) and analysed the shells and contents seperately for metallic elments using ICP-MS. Trophic level, body size, and migratory patterns influenced the concentrations in shells and egg contents, but crocodiles generally seem to have lower concentrations than the sea turtles. Compared with data from elsewhere, sea turtle eggs had lower concentrations, but crocodile eggs had relatively higher copper and mercury concentrations. Comparisons between eggshells and egg content elemental compositions for each species clearly showed that eggshells can not be used as proxy for egg contents. Sampling therefore, requires the collection and analyses of unhatched eggs. Relative elemental composition patterns indicated overlaps for the respective egg contents and eggshells of the sea turtles, but not for the crocodiles. We found thicker eggshells significantly associated with higher iron concentrations in the crocodiles. The implications may be that hatchlings may spend more energy to break through the leathery shells, and may therefore affect reproduction. Copper had concentrations that raised concern in all three species. The strontium concentration in the eggshells of the Leatherback Turtle was high. Mercury, copper, strontium, and selenium should be monitored in all species. Eggs should also be analysed for other co-occuring pollutants, such as POPs and endocrine disrupting compounds, since sub-lethal effects, especially when the eggs are covered, is difficult to discern. Based on the work presented here and those of others, it is obvious that more studies are needed to obtain a better picture of the chemical and biological interactions involved with Africa’s three largest reptiles \n.

MO057

Improving knowledge flow: from consumer to environmental risk assessment

L. Villamar Bouza, s. barmaz, R. Sharp, EFSA - European Food Safety Authority / Pesticides Unit; M. Arena, EFSA - European Food Safety Authority / Pesticides; D. Auteri, EFSA - European Food Safety Authority / Pesticides Unit

The assessment of pesticide residues levels in environmental matrices is part of the risk assessment for non-target organisms under Regulation (EC) no 1107/2009. In the case of risk assessments for birds and mammals, according to EFSA (2009), the Tier 1 risk assessment uses default values for residues levels (in terms of residue per unit dose, RUD) and residue decline (in terms of a time weighted average factor, TWA). When the tier 1 risk assessment indicates a high risk a higher tier assessment is required. One option is to refine the estimate for the level of residues that wildlife consume through their diet by calculating specific RUDs or by deriving

substance/crop specific DT50 values which are then used to recalculate the TWA factor used in the risk assessment. Often the residues studies submitted in the context of the consumer risk assessment are used to derive such DT50 values. These are then further evaluated with specific kinetic tools (FOCUS kinetics). It should be noted that the refinement of the RUD values is done only in rare cases since the dataset at the basis of the default values is relatively large. These refinements allows for a more realistic assessment accounting for the differences in residues decline due to the crop type, growth stage, climatic conditions across EU zones and to specific characteristics of the substance under assessment. Other parts of the data used for the consumer risk assessment for pesticides can also provide information for the environmental risk assessment. In particular, metabolism studies in plants are used for the identification of the pertinent metabolites to be further considered in the risk assessment of birds and mammals. The metabolism data for hen and rat/goat can also be used for addressing such metabolites. The main scope of this work is to further analyse the standard dataset available and the specific guidance in use for the consumer risk assessment in order to better define how the data and knowledge developed in the context of the consumer risk assessments (internationally agreed methodologies, existing guidance documents) could be

integrated in the environmental risk assessment. Particular consideration is given to the possibility of extrapolation between crops, use patterns (e.g. growth stages, application number) and European zones.

MO058

Increasing salinisation effects on Pelophylax perezi populations - Could historical exposure drive effects?

S. Costa, Universidade de Aveiro / Department of Biology & CESAM, 3810-193 Aveiro; I. Lopes, University of Aveiro / Department of Biology & CESAM, 3810-193 Aveiro

Coastal wetlands are a priority for conservation because they are biodiversity hotspots and have high ecological importance in ecosystem services. However, they are increasingly exposed to strong anthropogenic pressure and climatic extremes. Additionally, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported alarming projections for sea levels rise in the AR5 at 2013. Within this scenario, it is foreseen the salinisation of low-lying coastal freshwater ecosystems due to the intrusion of seawater, which will adversely affect many populations of amphibians.

Pelophylax perezi is distributed along all coastal territory in Portugal, where there

are some populations historically exposed to increasing levels of seawater. Though this species has been reported as tolerant to high salinity levels, there is a lack of knowledge regarding long term effects of salinization to natural populations of this amphibian species. The present work aimed at characterizing the lethal and sublethal sensitivity to salinization of early life stages of P. perezi originated from reference and salinized natural populations. Embryos (Gosner state 8-10) were exposed for 96h, and tadpoles for 72h to 168h (test dependent) to several dilutions of seawater and concentrations of NaCl (used as a surrogate of seawater to increase salinity). The following endpoints were monitored: time until hatching, growth and feeding. Comparing the results for time to hatch between salinization-impacted and non-impacted populations, differences were not found. For this endpoint, NaCl revealed to be more toxic than seawater (EC50 of 14.04 and EC50=11.89 mScm-1 _for seawater and NaCl, respectively). As well, for the other monitored endpoints (tadpole growth, weight and feeding) NaCl caused significant adverse effects. Highly diluted seawater increase growth on tadpoles from salinization-impacted population, but for non-impacted populations, tadpoles’ growth decrease with the decrease of seawater dilutions.

MO059

Wildfires effects on aquatic invertebrates organisms with in situ bioassays

N. Abrantes, University of Aveiro / CESAM/DAO; A. Ré, University of Aveiro / Department of Biology and CESAM; I. Campos, University of Aveiro / Department of Environment and CESAM; J. Pereira, University of Aveiro / Department of Biology Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies CESAM; J.J. Keizer, University of Aveiro / Department of Environment and Planning CESAM; F. Gonçalves, University of Aveiro / Department of Biology and CESAM In the last decades, the increased frequency and extent of wildfires have become a societal and environmental problem in Portugal. Among the distinct environmental impacts, the role of wildfire on the water quality has increasingly received research attention, particularly in what concerns to the input of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and metals associated to ashes. However, their toxic effects on the aquatic life have been largely ignored. The main goal of this study was to assess the off-site effects of wildfire on freshwater organisms through the use of in

situ bioassays. These bioassays were conducted in a recently burned eucalyptus

area located in Préstimo (Águeda, central Portugal) and occurred after the first post-fire rainfall events at four sites - two in the main stream (Alfusqueiro) and two in tributary streams. In the river, two sites were chosen, one located upstream of the burned area (RUS-upstream river) and another located downstream, within the burned area (RDS-River downstream). The same was done for the tributaries (SUS-stream upstream and SDS-stream downstream in the burned area). Distinct freshwater organisms, including the shrimp Atyaephyra desmaresti (water column organism), the amphipod Echinogammarus meridionalis (water-sediment interface