Identification of microfibers in faeces of a lesser grison, Galictis cuja (Carnivora: Mustelidae) received at a wildlife rehabilitation center. Case report

The identification of microplastics, especially microfibers, in different animal species indicates the level of contamination that is accumulating over time due to the use of this material for different purposes. Wild species are bioindicators of ecosystem health, therefore, they allow evaluating the effects of anthropogenic activities on the environment. Among microplastics, microfibers have positioned themselves as the most abundant particles in ocean sediments, as well as in terrestrial and freshwater environments. During the last decade, the presence of these particles has been identified in the feces of various animal species such as crustaceans, birds and mammals, which may indicate that they are already part of the trophic chain of the species. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feces of a mustelid, Galictis cuja, for the presence of microplastics. The feces of this adult male individual were collected, digested and filtered to later visualize the particles under a stereomicroscope. Fibers whose composition corresponds to rayon and polynosic, mostly white, were identified.