First record of microplastics in the endangered marine otter (Lontra felina)

Santillán L.; Saldaña-Serrano M.; De-La-Torre G.E. · Mastozoologia Neotropical (2020) · DOI: 10.31687/saremmn.20.27.1.0.12

Resumen

Lontra felina inhabits the coast of Peru and Chile frequently closed to human beach resorts and fishing ports which are common focus of anthropogenic pollution like solid waste and plastics are part of this as persistent material. In consequence the habitat for L. felina reduce its quality and indirect potential intake of plastic is a high risk. Here we present the first documented evidence of the occurrence of microplastics in the scats of L. felina. This evidence gives a first insight on the trophic transfer of microplastics in the marine web, where top predators like L. felina are also included.

Instituciones: Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola