Agricultural pesticides and ectoparasites: potential combined effects on the physiology of a declining aerial insectivore.

ABSTRACT: Agricultural pesticides usage has been increasing globally. These compounds have been developed to disrupt pest species physiology, but because their specificity is limited, they can also have adverse effects on non-target organisms. Recent studies have shown that the damaging toxicological effects of pesticides can be amplified in stressful environments. However, few studies have documented these effects in natural settings where organisms are simultaneously exposed to pesticides and to other environmental stressors such as parasites. In this study, we assessed both pesticide and ectoparasite effects on the physiology of a free-ranging bird. We measured physiological markers including haematocrit, bacteria-killing ability (BKA) and leucocyte counts, as well as exposure to haematophagous <

SUBMITTER: Sigouin A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8084023 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature