Another top predator in the list: microplastics in Mediterranean Monk Seals.

Mediterranean Sea has been considered one of the areas with highest density of plastics. This is a particular Sea Region where one of the most critically marine mammal species, the Mediterranean monk seal, inhabit. The incidence of plastics, including microplastics, in this species has not been investigate yet. In this study we present the fi rst results about incidence of microplastics in this predator through scat analysis. Scat samples from north Adriatic (Istria- Croatia, n=4) and south Tyrrhenian (Sicily-Italy, n=4) seas were collected and analyzed for both microplastics and dietary investigations. Microplastic separation and identifi cation was carried out following previous methodology adapted for scat samples. In all samples, only demersal fi sh was identifi ed, but only 30% of the samples contained microplastics (fi bers). Although the study was carried out with limited sample size, the trophic transfer possibility is discussed. In addition, we underline the importance of this information for an endangered mammal such as the Mediterranean monk seal, and the use of scats for the fi rst time for this species.