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Terrestrial exposure to microplastics in an endangered salamander (Lyciasalamandra antalyana)
Summary
Scientists found tiny plastic fibers (mostly from synthetic fabrics) in the guts of half of the endangered salamanders they studied in Türkiye, even though these amphibians live entirely on land, far from oceans or rivers where most microplastic research focuses. This shows that plastic pollution isn't just a marine problem, it's seeping into soil ecosystems too, which matters because these same land-based pathways (soil, dust, and the food grown in it) are likely routes by which microplastics reach humans as well.
Microplastics (MPs) are increasingly reported from a wide range of environments, yet information on terrestrial amphibians remains scarce. In this study, we investigated the occurrence and characteristics of MPs in the gastrointestinal tracts of the endemic and endangered terrestrial salamander Lyciasalamandra antalyana from Türkiye. A total of 67 specimens were analyzed, and MPs were detected in 34 individuals (50.7%), with 46 particles identified in total. The overall median MP abundance was 1 particle per specimen (range: 0-8). No significant differences in MP abundance were detected among females, males, and juveniles, and no significant relationships were found between MP abundance and body size variables. Five polymer types were identified, with polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 67.4%) being the most abundant, followed by ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA, 13.0%) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN, 10.9%). Most particles were fibers (93.5%), whereas fragments were rare. The predominance of PET and fibers may indicate potential terrestrial sources, likely related to synthetic materials and diffuse anthropogenic inputs. Navy blue particles predominated, and a significant association was observed between particle shape and color. The mean particle size was 219.04 ± 21.95 μm, with particles distributed across all size classes. These findings provide baseline evidence of microplastic occurrence in a habitat-restricted terrestrial amphibian and contribute to a better understanding of microplastic contamination in terrestrial ecosystems.