Abstract
Lizards increasingly are recognized as suitable contaminant biomonitors in terrestrial ecosystems. Previously, we have shown that Bosk’s fringe-toed lizards (Acanthodactylus boskianus) living close to the Gabès-Ghannouche industrial complex for fertilizer and acid production in southern Tunisia were contaminated by heavy metals. However, the impact of this contamination on lizard health parameters has not been investigated. In this study, we used the phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) skin-swelling test to assess whether the proximity to the industrial complex was associated with notable changes in lizard cell-mediated immune response (CMI). Our results showed significantly lower CMI in lizards living close to the industrial complex compared to those occurring farther away in a similar coastal habitat. Overall, our findings are consistent with the idea of immunotoxic effects of metal contamination. They also stress the usefulness of the PHA approach as an efficient tool for the evaluation of contaminant-related immunosuppression in lizards.
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Acknowledgements
We are grateful to Fatma Othmane who helped in field work and to Pr. Saïd Nouira for discussions related to this work. We also thank Pr. Erin Bennett and Pr. Steve Sheffield for their valuable comments on a previous version of the manuscript.
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This study complied with the Tunisian laws regarding wild animal sampling. Permits for working at the study sites and for lizard sampling were obtained from the Forest Service in the Tunisian Ministry of Agriculture (permit reference: 910 − 15/03). All applicable international and national guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed.
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Nasri, I., Hammouda, A., Belliure, J. et al. Decreased Cell-Mediated Immune Response in Bosk’s Fringe-Toed Lizards (Acanthodactylus boskianus) Inhabiting an Industrialized Area in Southern Tunisia. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 105, 393–396 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-020-02943-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-020-02943-5