Organochlorine residues in bat guano from nine Mexican caves, 1991

Ecotoxicology
By: , and 

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Abstract

Samples of bat guano, primarily from Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis), were collected at nine bat roosts in caves in northern and eastern Mexico and analysed for organochlorine residues. DDE, the most abundant residue found in each cave, was highest (0.99 p.p.m. dry weight) at Ojuela Cave, Durango. Other studies of DDE in bat guano indicate that this concentration is too low to reflect harmful concentrations in the bats themselves. The DDE at Ojuela may represent either lingering residues from use of DDT years ago in the Ojuela area of perhaps depuration loss from migrant bats with summer maternity roost(s) in a DDE-contaminated area such as Carlsbad Cavern, New Mexico. Presence of o,p′-DDT at Tio Bartolo Cave, Nuevo Leon, indicates recent use of DDT, but the concentration of this contaminant was low. Possible impacts on bat colonies of the organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides now in extensive use are unknown.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Organochlorine residues in bat guano from nine Mexican caves, 1991
Series title Ecotoxicology
DOI 10.1007/BF00116344
Volume 4
Issue 4
Year Published 1995
Language English
Publisher Springer Link
Contributing office(s) Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Description 8 p.
First page 258
Last page 265
Country Mexico
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