scholarly journals No correlation between neonatal fitness and heterozygosity in a reintroduced population of Père David’s deer

2013 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Zeng ◽  
Chunwang Li ◽  
Linyuan Zhang ◽  
Zhenyu Zhong ◽  
Zhigang Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Neonatal Mortality ◽  
Microsatellite Loci ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Species Of Conservation Concern ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Père David’S Deer ◽  
Genetic Bottlenecks ◽  
Conservation Concern

Abstract Considering the severe impacts of genetic bottlenecks and small numbers of founders in populations of reintroduced animals, it is necessary to study inbreeding and its effect on fitness in species of conservation concern. Père David’s deer is one of few large mammal species extinct in the wild but safely preserved in captivity. Its specific background gives us the opportunity to study the relationships between heterozygosity and neonatal fitness in relocated populations. We employed five microsatellite loci to explore heterozygosity-fitness correlations in a population of Père David’s deer at the Beijing Milu Ecological Research Center. We observed associations between microsatellite-based variables sMLH, IR, MD2 and HL, and two components of fitness expressed early in life (birth weight and the neonatal mortality of 123 Père David’s deer calves born over six consecutive years). We found that neonatal mortality was 19.1% ± 7.6%, not higher than the 19% or 18% reported in other ungulates. The heterozygosity of calves was not associated with neonatal mortality, nor birth weight. Our study implies that low genetic variability of microsatellite loci has no overt effect on birth weight and neonatal mortality in reintroduced populations of Père David’s deer.

scholarly journals Loss of Predator Discrimination by Critically Endangered Vancouver Island Marmots Within Five Generations of Breeding for Release

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham P. Dixon-MacCallum ◽  
Johnathan L. Rich ◽  
Natasha Lloyd ◽  
Daniel T. Blumstein ◽  
Axel Moehrenschlager
Keyword(s):  
Vancouver Island ◽  
Predator Recognition ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Species Of Conservation Concern ◽  
Mammalian Predators ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Two Generations ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Conservation Concern ◽  
Changes Over Time

Conservation translocations, which involve the intentional movement and release of organisms for conservation benefit, are increasingly required to recover species of conservation concern. In order to maximize post-release survival, and to accomplish conservation translocation objectives, animals must exhibit behaviors that facilitate survival in the wild. The Vancouver Island marmot (Marmota vancouverensis) is a critically endangered endemic in Canada which has been captive-bred for 24 years for reintroductions and reinforcements that have increased the wild population from ~30 to more than 200 individuals. Despite this success many marmots are killed by predators after release and predation represents a major hurdle to full marmot recovery. To better understand if captive-bred marmots are prepared for the novel environment into which they will be released, and to determine whether such suitability changes over time, we presented taxidermy mounts of mammalian predators and non-predators to marmots that were wild-caught, and captive born for between one and five generations. We also examined mortality of offspring from marmots we tested that had been released to the wild. A minimum of 43% of offspring were killed by predators in the wild over 17 years, most by cougars. Marmots in captivity generally responded to taxidermy mounts by decreasing foraging and increasing vigilance, and overall responded more strongly to predators than non-predators, especially wolves. However, marmots in captivity for more than two generations lacked discrimination between cougars, non-predators, and controls, suggesting a rapid loss of predator recognition. This study was only possible because predator-recognition trials were initiated early in the conservation translocation program, and could then be repeated after a number of generations. The finding that changes occurred relatively rapidly (within five generations during which changes in genetic diversity were negligible) suggests that behavioral suitability may deteriorate more rapidly than genetics would suggest. Strategies addressing potential behavior loss should be considered, including sourcing additional wild individuals or pre-release training of captive-born individuals. Subsequently, post-release survival should be monitored to determine the efficacy of behavior-optimization strategies.

scholarly journals Absence of Large and Presence of Medium-Sized Mammal Species of Conservation Concern in a Privately Protected Area of Rain Forest in Southeastern Mexico

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 194008291773809
Author(s):  
Liliana Ortiz-Lozada ◽  
Jaime Pelayo-Martínez ◽  
Claudio Mota-Vargas ◽  
Ana Paulina Demeneghi-Calatayud ◽  
Vinicio J. Sosa
Keyword(s):  
Protected Area ◽  
Rain Forest ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Species Of Conservation Concern ◽  
Conservation Concern

scholarly journals Parentage Assignment Reveals Multiple Paternity in the Critically-Endangered Guatemalan Beaded Lizard (Heloderma Charlesbogerti)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenna A Levine ◽  
Robert Hill ◽  
Joseph Mendelson ◽  
Warren Booth
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Mating System ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Multiple Paternity ◽  
Parentage Analysis ◽  
Multiple Sexual Partners ◽  
Species Of Conservation Concern ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Genetic Mating System ◽  
Conservation Concern

Abstract Within captive management programs for species of conservation concern, understanding the genetic mating system is of fundamental importance, given its role in generating and maintaining genetic diversity and promoting opportunities for sperm competition. If a goal of a conservation program is reintroduction, knowledge of the mating system may also inform prediction models aimed at understanding how genetic diversity may be spatially organized, thus informing decisions regarding where and which individuals should be released in order to maximize genetic diversity in the wild population. Within captive populations, such information may also influence how animals are maintained in order to promote natural behaviors. Here we investigate the genetic mating system of the Guatemalan beaded lizard, Heloderma charlesbogerti, a member of a genus lacking such information. A group of adult male and female H. charlesbogerti were co-habited for five years during the species perceived breeding season. Through genomic parentage analysis, 50% of clutches comprising multiple offspring were found to result from polyandry, with up to three males siring offspring within single clutches. Furthermore, males were found to be polygamous both within and across seasons, and females would exhibit promiscuity across seasons. As such, within this captive environment, where opportunities existed for mating with multiple sexual partners, the genetic mating system was found to be highly promiscuous, with multiple paternity common within clutches. These findings are novel for the family Helodermatidae, and the results have broader implications about how reproductive opportunities should be managed within captive conservation programs.

scholarly journals Trial release of Père David's deer Elaphurus davidianus in the Dafeng Reserve, China

Oryx ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 196-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huijian Hu ◽  
Zhigang Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Activity Rhythm ◽  
Coastal Region ◽  
Previous Condition ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Père David’S Deer ◽  
Daily Activity Rhythm ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Elaphurus Davidianus

The Critically Endangered Père David's deer Elaphurus davidianu became extinct in the wild in China in about 1900, and the only surviving animals were held in captivity at Woburn Abbey in the UK. During 1985–1987, individuals were returned to China, and subsequent growth of the captive population in enclosures at Dafeng Reserve necessitated a trial release of a small group of deer as a prelude to further releases. Seven individuals were released into the unfenced coastal region of the Dafeng Reserve in 1998. Behaviour, daily activity rhythm, habitat selection, activity range and body condition were recorded for six months after release. The deer exhibited initial changes in behaviour, but returned to their pre-release patterns about four weeks after release, and by six weeks after release their body condition had improved compared to their previous condition in captivity. They left the Reserve and began to forage on farmland, causing conflict with local people. Further releases should be into areas with either a natural or artificial boundary in order to avoid unmanageable levels of conflict between the needs of the deer and those of farmers.

scholarly journals Imperial trophy or island relict? A new extinction paradigm for Père David's deer: a Chinese conservation icon

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (10) ◽  
pp. 171096 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel T. Turvey ◽  
Ian Barnes ◽  
Melissa Marr ◽  
Selina Brace
Keyword(s):  
Dna Analysis ◽  
Hainan Island ◽  
Ecological Data ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Proactive Management ◽  
Southern Chinese ◽  
Final Population ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Père David’S Deer

Determining the ‘dynamic biogeography’ of range collapse in threatened species is essential for effective conservation, but reconstruction of spatio-temporal patterns of population vulnerability and resilience can require use of non-standard ecological data such as historical archives. Père David's deer or milu, one of the few living mammal species that has become extinct in the wild, is historically known only from a small captive herd of unknown provenance that survived until 1900 in the Imperial Hunting Park near Beijing, from which all living individuals are descended. Using ancient DNA analysis, we demonstrate that two fawns collected in 1868 from Hainan Island, off the southern Chinese mainland, represent the only known wild milu specimens and were sampled from probably the last wild population. The Hainan milu population shows extremely low genetic differentiation from descendants of the Beijing herd, suggesting that this now-extinct population may have been the source of the captive herd. This revised extinction model refutes the supposed long-term survival of a captive milu herd for centuries or millennia after final extinction of wild populations, highlighting the vulnerability of remnant mammal populations in the absence of proactive management and the importance of historical museum collections for providing unique new insights on evolution, biogeography and conservation. Milu experienced a pattern of final population persistence on an island at the periphery of their former range, consistent with the ‘range eclipse’ or ‘contagion’ model of range collapse, and matching the spatial extinction dynamics of other extinct mammals such as the thylacine and woolly mammoth.

Seasonal variation in plasma corticosterone concentrations in wild and captive adult Duvaucel's geckos (Hoplodactylus duvaucelii) in New Zealand

2010 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuela Barry ◽  
John F. Cockrem ◽  
Dianne H. Brunton
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Body Temperature ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Plasma Corticosterone ◽  
Reproductive Condition ◽  
Species Of Conservation Concern ◽  
Significant Seasonal Variation ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Conservation Concern

Most of New Zealand’s herpetofauna species are threatened and in decline. Yet, little is known about their basic physiology and endocrinology. This study examined plasma corticosterone (CORT) concentrations in a threatened endemic New Zealand reptile, the Duvaucel’s gecko, in relation to season, sex, body temperature, body condition and female reproductive condition (pregnant versus non-pregnant). In addition, seasonal plasma CORT concentrations were compared between captive geckos from a breeding facility and a wild population to determine whether concentrations of CORT were chronically elevated in captive lizards. Plasma CORT concentrations showed significant seasonal variation, but were not related to sex, body temperature, body condition or female reproductive condition. Geckos, which successfully bred in captivity each year, did not exhibit chronically elevated plasma CORT levels but showed an elevation of plasma CORT concentrations in summer compared with wild geckos. Information on basal CORT concentrations in species of conservation concern can be beneficial for improving their management and can aid in identifying and evaluating stress-related changes in hormone patterns of individuals and chronic stress, which is particularly relevant for threatened species breeding programs.

scholarly journals The conservation value of forest fragments in the increasingly agrarian landscape of Sumatra

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 340-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah R Weiskopf ◽  
Jennifer L McCarthy ◽  
Kyle P McCarthy ◽  
Alexey N Shiklomanov ◽  
Hariyo T Wibisono ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wildlife Habitat ◽  
Conservation Value ◽  
Panthera Tigris ◽  
Forest Fragments ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Critically Endangered Species ◽  
Species Of Conservation Concern ◽  
Manis Javanica ◽  
Conservation Concern ◽  
Remnant Forest

SummaryDestruction of tropical rainforests reduces many unprotected habitats to small fragments of remnant forests within agricultural matrices. To date, these remnant forest fragments have been largely disregarded as wildlife habitat, and little is known about mammalian use of these areas in Sumatra. Here, we conducted camera trap surveys (2285 trap-nights) within Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park and five surrounding remnant forest fragments during 2010–2013 and used species composition metrics to compare use. We found 28 mammal species in the protected forest and 21 in the fragments. The fragments harboured a subset of species found in the protected forest and several species not observed in the protected forest. Critically endangered species such as Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) and Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) were found in the forest fragments, along with species of conservation concern such as marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata) and Asiatic golden cat (Pardofelis temminckii). The biodiversity found within the fragments suggests that these small patches of remnant forest may have conservation value to certain mammal species and indicates the importance of further research into the role these habitats may play in landscape-level, multispecies conservation planning.

Reducing the primary exposure risk of Henderson crakes (Zapornia atra) during aerial broadcast eradication by selecting appropriate bait colour

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steffen Oppel ◽  
Jennifer L. Lavers ◽  
Alexander L. Bond ◽  
Gavin Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Models ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Exposure Risk ◽  
Island Endemic ◽  
Invasive Predators ◽  
Species Of Conservation Concern ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Specific Variation ◽  
Conservation Concern ◽  
Native Invasive

Context Operations to eradicate non-native invasive predators from islands frequently put native species at risk of consuming harmful substances, such as poison bait. The incorporation of certain colours in poison-bait pellets may reduce the risk of bait consumption and, therefore, non-target mortality. Previous work indicated that birds generally avoid blue or green colours; however, there is substantial inter-specific variation in this preference, and more experimental work on species of conservation concern is needed. Aims We tested whether a globally threatened island endemic, the Henderson crake (Zapornia atra), which suffered substantial mortality during a rat-eradication attempt on Henderson Island in 2011, would consume fewer blue than green pellets, which were used during the previous eradication attempt. Methods We held 22 Henderson crakes in captivity and provided them with either blue or green non-toxic pellets for 5 days in June and July 2015. We measured consumption and used linear mixed models to evaluate whether bait colour influenced consumption. Key results Henderson crakes did not consume any dry pellets, and all trials were conducted with wet bait pellets. We found slightly lower consumption of blue pellets than green pellets, and substantial variation among individuals. Females (n = 17) consumed 24% less blue than green bait, whereas males (n = 5) consumed 77% less blue than green bait. Conclusion Henderson crakes are unlikely to consume dry pellets, and will likely consume fewer blue than green bait pellets. Implications We recommend that any future rat eradication on Henderson Island considers using blue rather than green baits and targets dry weather to reduce the risk of Henderson crakes consuming toxic rodenticide bait pellets.

scholarly journals Conservation by Captive Breeding: a General Survey

Oryx ◽  
1967 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Fitter
Keyword(s):  
Captive Breeding ◽  
European Bison ◽  
General Survey ◽  
Second Best ◽  
Wild Horse ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Breeding Programmes ◽  
Père David’S Deer ◽  
Arabian Oryx

Breeding rare animals in captivity is only a second best but essential if they cannot be preserved in the wild, and in this zoos have an important part to play. Richard Fitter, hon. secretary of the Fauna Preservation Society, describes some of the most successful captive breeding programmes so far—Pére David's deer, European bison, Przewalski wild horse and Arabian oryx—and urges zoos to give serious attention now to the more difficult tasks of breeding primates and carnivores, of which several species, notably orang utans and the larger apes are endangered. He also suggests that zoos should anticipate the day when species now common become rare by establishing captive breeding programmes that would make them self-supporting in these animals.

scholarly journals Experimental removal of introduced slider turtles offers new insight into competition with a native, threatened turtle

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Max R. Lambert ◽  
Jennifer M. McKenzie ◽  
Robyn M. Screen ◽  
Adam G. Clause ◽  
Benjamin B. Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Slider Turtle ◽  
Species Of Conservation Concern ◽  
Ecological Resources ◽  
Mesocosm Experiments ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Western Pond Turtle ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Conservation Concern

The red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans; RES) is often considered one of the world’s most invasive species. Results from laboratory and mesocosm experiments suggest that introduced RES outcompete native turtles for key ecological resources, but such experiments can overestimate the strength of competition. We report on the first field experiment with a wild turtle community, involving introduced RES and a declining native species of conservation concern, the western pond turtle (Emys marmorata; WPT). Using a before/after experimental design, we show that after removing most of an introduced RES population, the remaining RES dramatically shifted their spatial basking distribution in a manner consistent with strong intraspecific competition. WPT also altered their spatial basking distribution after the RES removal, but in ways inconsistent with strong interspecific competition. However, we documented reduced levels of WPT basking post-removal, which may reflect a behavioral shift attributable to the lower density of the turtle community. WPT body condition also increased after we removed RES, consistent with either indirect or direct competition between WPT and RES and providing the first evidence that RES can compete with a native turtle in the wild. We conclude that the negative impacts on WPT basking by RES in natural contexts are more limited than suggested by experiments with captive turtles, although wild WPT do appear to compete for food with introduced RES. Our results highlight the importance of manipulative field experiments when studying biological invasions, and the potential value of RES removal as a management strategy for WPT.

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