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Microplastics in Talitrus saltator (Crustacea, Amphipoda): new evidence of ingestion from natural contexts
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Microplastic particles were found in the digestive tracts of the beach amphipod Talitrus saltator collected in central Italy, probably ingested while feeding on organic debris. Sand hoppers like this species are important members of beach ecosystems and their contamination indicates widespread coastal microplastic pollution.
Using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) measurements and comparing the spectrum peaks (range 4000-600 cm) with reference spectra database and instrument libraries, we observed new evidence of the ingestion of microplastic particles analyzing the digestive tracts of Talitrus saltator. Specimens, sampled in central Italy, probably ingested the particles with natural detritus. Since worldwide many species of invertebrates and vertebrates (e.g., birds) feed on Amphipoda along coastal ecosystems, we hypothesized that microplastic in these crustaceans can be accumulated along the food chain.
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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.