Study of metallic elements in eggshell of Caiman latirostris: preliminary results

BAUSO J.; LEIVA, P. M. L.; SIMONCINI, M. S.; LARRIERA, A.; CULZONI, J.

Chetumal

Congreso; XXVI Working Meeting Crocodiles Specialist Group - UICN; 2022

Crocodiles Specialist Group - UICN

Deforestation and other changes in land use are the main reasons why manhas drastically modified the wildlife habitat, being the agricultural activity themost contributing one due to the use (often indiscriminate) of agrochemicals,fertilizers and external antiparasites, which have had multiple impacts.Recently, in Argentina, agricultural activity has increased exponentially and livestockfarming was concentrated in intensive systems due to the global demand forresources, particularly food, as a result of demographic expansion. This leadsto the dispersion of various contaminants, such as heavy metals associated withthe use of pesticides andfertilizers. The objective of this study was to determine and compare levels ofheavy metals (whose origin may be related to anthropogenic activities), present in theeggshells of Caiman latirostris indifferent reproductive seasons, in the province of Santa Fe (Argentina). Forthis purpose, we collected C. latirostriseggs in sites with different degrees of anthropization. Then, they were takento the laboratory for processing and analysis, in order to determine theconcentration of metallic elements. We detected heavy metals such as copper(Cu), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn), being Zn the one found in greater proportionfollowed by Cu and Pb. It should be noted that in 2014 Pb was not found, whileit was detected in recent samples (2020), suggesting that the increase inanthropogenic activities has caused the presence of new metallic elements highlytoxic to animals. This study provided valuable information related tothe presence of heavy metals in the eggshells of C. latirostris, very useful to monitor possible contamination intheir habitats due to the presence of metallic elements.