AUTHORS: Michelle Kneeland, DVM, Wildlife Health Program Director, Biodiversity Research Institute
ABSTRACT: Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) are present in all aquatic environments and produce many cyanotoxins that can cause significant health issues in wildlife, domestic animals, and people. Microcystins (MCs) and beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) are cyanotoxins with high potential to detrimentally affect the health of aquatic ecosystems. Evidence suggests that MCs and BMAA can bioaccumulate in ecosystems through different mechanisms of action. Because of this, apex species such as eagles and loons may be severely affected. BMAA is being investigated as a possible contributor to a severe neurologic disease in birds, Avian Vacuolar Myelinopathy (AVM), which is associated with significant eagle and coot mortalities in the southern U.S. Similarly, in humans, there is a growing body of evidence linking exposure to cyanobacteria to the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS.
This talk will highlight recent examples of collaborative cyanobacterial monitoring efforts that cross the realms of public health, wildlife health, and ecosystem health. Preliminary results from our 2014-2016 multiregional cyanotoxin monitoring project will also be presented, during which live free ranging Common Loons (Gavia immer) were sampled as bioindicators of the freshwater cyanotoxins in the Northeastern (ME, MA, NH, NY), Western (MT, WY), and Northwestern (WA, British Columbia) regions.
Tuesday April 17, 2018 4:00pm - 4:20pm EDT
Vermont A