Multiple paternity in captive grey nurse sharks (Carcharias taurus): implications for the captive breeding of this critically endangered species

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 122
Author(s):  
Robert Townsend ◽  
Adam Stow ◽  
Maria Asmyhr ◽  
Paolo Momigliano
Keyword(s):  
Mating System ◽  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Multiple Paternity ◽  
Paternity Analysis ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Nurse Shark ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Critically Endangered Species ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Nurse Sharks

The grey nurse shark (Carcharius taurus) is listed as threatened throughout much of its global distribution, and as critically endangered in eastern Australia. Captive breeding programs have thus far been largely unsuccessful and little is known of its mating system in this context. Here we carry out a paternity analysis to determine if the mating system in captivity is characterised by multiple mating, and whether poor offspring survival is associated with a particular male. Tissue samples from grey nurse sharks were collected from three potential sires, the two dams and nine pups housed at Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary in eastern Australia. Each individual was genotyped at seven microsatellite markers and three cases of multiple paternity were inferred. No paternal link to stillborn (5), or scoliotic (2) pups was indicated. For the first time, we show the natural wild phenomenon of multiple paternity occurring in a captive environment.

Genetic evidence for multiple paternity in the critically endangered Cuban crocodile (Crocodylus rhombifer)

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoamel Milián-García ◽  
Evelyn L. Jensen ◽  
Sheila Ribalta Mena ◽  
Etiam Pérez Fleitas ◽  
Gustavo Sosa Rodríguez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mating System ◽  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Multiple Paternity ◽  
Sperm Storage ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Genetic Studies ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Polygynous Mating System

Conservation strategies can be most effective when factors influencing the persistence of populations are well-understood, including aspects of reproductive biology such as mating system. Crocodylians have been traditionally associated with a polygynous mating system, with genetic studies revealing multiple paternity of clutches in several species. The endemic Cuban crocodile,Crocodylus rhombifer, is currently listed as Critically Endangered, and is one of the least understood crocodylian species in terms of its mating behavior. Here, we tested a hypothesis of multiple paternity in the Cuban crocodile by collecting genotypic data at nine microsatellite loci for 102 hatchlings from five nests sampled at the Zapata Swamp captive breeding facility and analyzing them in relation to data previously collected for 137 putative parents. All five nests showed evidence of multiple paternity based on the numbers of alleles per locus, with sibship analyses reconstructing all nests as having four to six full-sib family groups. Accordingly, mean pairwise relatedness values per nest ranged from 0.21 to 0.39, largely intermediate between theoretical expected values for half-siblings (0.25) and full-siblings (0.50). It is not possible to differentiate whether the multiple paternity of a nest was due to multiple matings during the same breeding season, or a result of sperm storage. Our results reveal that theC. rhombifermating system is likely best characterized as promiscuous and suggest that the standard practice of enforcing a 1:2 sex ratio at the captive breeding facility should be altered in order to better maintain a demographically and genetically healthy ex situ population.

Promiscuity and high level of multiple paternity in common wall lizards (Podarcis muralis): data from microsatellite markers

2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 301-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Oppliger ◽  
Loic Degen ◽  
Henry-B. John-Alder ◽  
Caroline Bouteiller-Reuter
Keyword(s):  
Microsatellite Markers ◽  
Mating System ◽  
Observational Data ◽  
Wild Population ◽  
Multiple Paternity ◽  
Paternity Analysis ◽  
Podarcis Muralis ◽  
Common Wall ◽  
The Common ◽  
High Level

AbstractLittle is known about the mating system of the common wall lizard Podarcis muralis. Behavioural and observational data have demonstrated that females frequently mate with multiple males. However, the possible occurrence of multiple paternity has never been investigated. By using microsatellite paternity analysis in a wild population, we document this species indeed mate promiscuously and these matings resulted in multiple paternity in at least 87% of the clutches examined.

Where have all the sawfishes gone? Perspectives on declines of these Critically Endangered species in Sri Lanka

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akshay Tanna ◽  
Daniel Fernando ◽  
Ramajeyam Gobiraj ◽  
Buddhi M. Pathirana ◽  
Sahan Thilakaratna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Endangered Species ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Critically Endangered Species

scholarly journals The Oral Bacterial Community in Melanophryniscus admirabilis (Admirable Red-Belly Toads): Implications for Conservation

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 220
Author(s):  
Michele Bertoni Mann ◽  
Janira Prichula ◽  
Ícaro Maia Santos de Castro ◽  
Juliana Mello Severo ◽  
Michelle Abadie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endangered Species ◽  
Bacterial Community ◽  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Personal Genome ◽  
Oral Microbiota ◽  
Critically Endangered Species ◽  
Anthropogenic Environment

Melanophryniscus admirabilis (admirable red-belly toad) is a microendemic and critically endangered species found exclusively along 700 m of the Forqueta River, in a fragment of the Atlantic Forest of southern Brazil. One of the greatest concerns regarding the conservation of this species is the extensive use of pesticides in areas surrounding their natural habitat. In recent years, the adaptation and persistence of animal species in human-impacted environments have been associated with microbiota. Therefore, the present study aimed to characterize the oral bacterial community of wild M. admirabilis and to address the question of how this community might contribute to this toad’s adaptation in the anthropogenic environment as well as its general metabolic capabilities. A total of 11 oral samples collected from wild M. admirabilis were characterized and analyzed via high-throughput sequencing. Fragments of the 16S rRNA variable region 4 (V4) were amplified, and sequencing was conducted using an Ion Personal Genome Machine (PGM) System with 316 chips. A total of 181,350 sequences were obtained, resulting in 16 phyla, 34 classes, 39 orders, and 77 families. Proteobacteria dominated (53%) the oral microbiota of toads, followed by Firmicutes (18%), Bacteroidetes (17%), and Actinobacteria (5%). No significant differences in microbial community profile from among the samples were reported, which suggests that the low dietary diversity observed in this population may directly influence the bacterial composition. Inferences of microbiome function were performed using PICRUSt2 software. Important pathways (e.g., xenobiotic degradation pathways for pesticides and aromatic phenolic compounds) were detected, which suggests that the bacterial communities may serve important roles in M. admirabilis health and survival in the anthropogenic environment. Overall, our results have important implications for the conservation and management of this microendemic and critically endangered species.

scholarly journals High survival rate of a critically endangered species, the Azores Bullfinch Pyrrhula murina, as a contribution to population recovery

2010 ◽  
Vol 151 (3) ◽  
pp. 627-636 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Monticelli ◽  
Ricardo Ceia ◽  
Ruben Heleno ◽  
Hugo Laborda ◽  
Sergio Timóteo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rate ◽  
Endangered Species ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
High Survival ◽  
Population Recovery ◽  
High Survival Rate ◽  
Critically Endangered Species
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document