title: How marine debris ingestion differs among megafauna species in a tropical coastal area.
abstract: The marine debris ingested by megafauna species (Trichiurus lepturus, Chelonia mydas, Pontoporia blainvillei, and Sotalia guianensis) was recorded in a coastal area of southeastern Brazil (21-23°S). Marine debris was recorded in all species, mainly consisting of plastic material (flexible and hard plastics - clear, white, and colored- and nylon filaments). The 'pelagic predators' T. lepturus and S. guianesis showed the lowest percent frequencies of debris ingestion (0.7% and 1.3%, respectively), followed by the 'benthic predator' P. blainvillei (15.7%) and the 'benthic herbivorous C. mydas (59.2%). The debris found in C. mydas stomachs was opportunistically ingested during feeding activities on local macroalgal banks. In the study area, the benthic environment accumulates more anthropogenic debris than the pelagic environment, and benthic/demersal feeders are more susceptible to encounters and ingestion. The sub-lethal effects observed in C. mydas, such as intestinal obstruction due to hardened fecal material, should be considered a local conservation concern.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, CBB, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Av. Alberto Lamego 2.000, Campos, RJ 28013-600, Brazil. Electronic address: anadibeneditto@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ana Paula Madeira
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Di Beneditto
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, CBB, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Av. Alberto Lamego 2.000, Campos, RJ 28013-600, Brazil. Electronic address: data128@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Danielle Rodrigues
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Awabdi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil; D004289:Dolphins / Q000502:physiology*; D004435:Eating; D017753:Ecosystem; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D010473:Perciformes / Q000502:physiology*; D010969:Plastics; D011235:Predatory Behavior; D012624:Seaweed; D014329:Tropical Climate; D014426:Turtles / Q000502:physiology*; D014866:Waste Products; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D010969:Plastics; D014866:Waste Products; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Brazilian coastal area; Dolphins; Fish; Marine debris; Megafauna; Turtle