Brain acetylcholinesterase activity in forest songbirds exposed to a new method of UULV fenitrothion spraying |
| |
Authors: | Daniel G. Busby Louise M. White Peter A. Pearce |
| |
Affiliation: | (1) Canadian Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 1590, E0A 3C0 Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada;(2) Canadian Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 400, E3B 4Z9 Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada |
| |
Abstract: | Brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was measured in forest songbirds exposed to Ultra Ultra Low Volume (UULV) aerial spraying of fenitrothion in New Brunswick for spruce budworm control. Brain AChE activity was determined in 324 songbirds from the sprayed blocks and 47 from an unsprayed control area, and represented four species. In most cases, more than half of the individuals of any species sampled were diagnosed as exposed ( 20% inhibition) to the fenitrothion sprays and had a mean percent level of inhibition of 40% or greater, relative to mean control values. The proportion of birds with life-threatening levels of inhibition ( 50%) was usually less than 20%. The largest proportion of birds with life-threatening inhibition was found after the first 210 g AI/ha spray. The White-throated Sparrow had the highest proportion (25–55%) of individuals with life-threatening inhibition after all sprays. Brain AChE inhibition was greater in exposed birds collected after the first 210 g AI/ha spray than after the second one. Variation among species' responses to the sprays is discussed in relation to habitat and foraging preferences. Several sampling biases which may contribute to underestimation of the impact of fenitrothion spraying on birds are identified. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|