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No refuge from pollution: ingestion of synthetic debris by the endangered Iberian desman (Galemys pyrenaicus) in freshwater ecosystems of Spain
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Researchers found anthropogenic debris — predominantly textile fibers like rayon rather than conventional plastics — in nearly a third of fecal samples from the endangered Iberian desman across five Spanish river basins, providing the first evidence that this highland freshwater mammal is exposed to plastic pollution despite living in seemingly pristine ecosystems.
Human activities have introduced a wide range of pollutants into natural environments, altering ecological processes and threatening wildlife. In recent years, plastic pollution has gained increasing attention, as it affects ecosystems worldwide. However, little attention has been paid to its presence in remote freshwater ecosystems, especially concerning endangered species. In this study, we document the ingestion of anthropogenic debris (hereafter AD) by the Iberian desman (Galemys pyrenaicus), a semi-aquatic, endangered mammal endemic to the Iberian Peninsula. We analyzed 52 fecal samples collected across five river basins in Spain where the species' presence had been previously confirmed. In the laboratory, we searched for AD, isolating suspected particles and identifying their composition using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). We confirmed the presence of AD in 32.7% of samples (17/52), totaling 55 items across 10 material types identified by FTIR. Textile fibers dominated the AD assemblage (>90%), with rayon and azlon as the most frequent materials, while true plastic polymers were rare (<10%). Although sample sizes limited statistical power, the data demonstrate an exposure to anthropogenic pollution in upland freshwater systems. The Iberian desman likely ingests AD through its diet, mainly aquatic invertebrates known to interact with anthropogenic materials. Our findings provide the first evidence of AD ingestion, including plastic debris, in G. pyrenaicus, and reveal that species living in highland, seemingly pristine ecosystems face contamination risks. We call for attention to anthropogenic pollution in freshwater systems and its effects on overlooked wildlife, including endangered freshwater-dependent mammals. Further research should assess the ecological and physiological impacts of exposure in this and similar species and monitor plastic loads and similar debris in upstream habitats.
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Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.