Birds have the potential to be considered valuable bioindicators of the quality of ecosystems and the environmental impact of pollutants. The aims of this study were to determine the micronuclei frequency and other nuclear abnormalities in erythrocytes by analyzing a wild bird community from central Monte desert (Argentina) and to clarify if there were any differences among certain species. Frequencies of nuclear abnormalities were determined in 73 wild birds belonging to 17 species and two orders (Passeriformes and Columbiformes). A high proportion of individuals, 90.4 and 80.9 %, had erythrocytes with micronuclei and nuclear buds, respectively. Notched nuclei, binucleated cells, nuclear tails, and nucleoplasmic bridges were also recorded. Certain species appeared to be more informative than others with regard to the possibility of being used as bioindicators of genetic damage. Saltator aurantiirostris and Columbina picui were the only species that showed significantly different frequencies of nuclear alterations, in comparison with the other species. The frequencies here presented are the first reported for these bird species from the orders Passeriformes and Columbiformes. This research supports the notion that the use of these biomarkers could be effectively applied to evaluate spontaneous or induced genetic instability in wild birds.

Birds have the potential to be considered valuablebioindicators of the quality of ecosystems and the environmentalimpact of pollutants. The aims of this study were todetermine the micronuclei frequency and other nuclear abnormalitiesin erythrocytes by analyzing a wild bird communityfrom central Monte desert (Argentina) and to clarify if therewere any differences among certain species. Frequencies ofnuclear abnormalities were determined in 73 wild birds belongingto 17 species and two orders (Passeriformes andColumbiformes). A high proportion of individuals, 90.4 and80.9 %, had erythrocytes with micronuclei and nuclear buds,respectively. Notched nuclei, binucleated cells, nuclear tails,and nucleoplasmic bridges were also recorded. Certain speciesappeared to be more informative than others with regard to thepossibility of being used as bioindicators of genetic damage.Saltator aurantiirostris and Columbina picui were the onlyspecies that showed significantly different frequencies of nuclearalterations, in comparison with the other species. Thefrequencies here presented are the first reported for these birdspecies from the orders Passeriformes and Columbiformes.This research supports the notion that the use of these biomarkerscould be effectively applied to evaluate spontaneousor induced genetic instability in wild birds. | Fil: Quero, Arnoldo Ángel Martín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza; Argentina. Universidad ; Argentina | Fil: Ferré, Daniela Marisol. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza; Argentina. Universidad ; Argentina | Fil: Zarco, Agustín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas; Argentina | Fil: Cuervo Bustamante, Pablo Fernando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral; Argentina | Fil: Gorla, Nora Bibiana Maria. Universidad ; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza; Argentina