scholarly journals Hostile Interactions of Punjab Urial (Ovis vignei punjabiensis) towards Indian Gazelle (Gazella bennettii) during Feeding Sessions in Captive Breeding Settings

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1274
Author(s):  
Romaan Hayat Khattak ◽  
Liwei Teng ◽  
Tahir Mehmood ◽  
Ejaz Ur Rehman ◽  
Zhirong Zhang ◽  
...  

Natural wildlife habitats are regularly subjected to anthropogenic pressures for different purposes, which are heading the biodiversity towards drastic decline. Several endangered wild species are raised in captivity with the aim of re-introduction. In some instances, mixed herds’ rearing approach in captivity is adopted for providing social enrichment to captive stocks; however, the impacts of species on each other are least documented. We tested our prediction that keeping mixed herds of captive wild sheep and antelopes provides adequate social enrichment to the captive stocks: if interspecific interactions are balanced. In the current study, we studied the interspecific competition between mixed herds of captive Punjab urial (Ovis vignei punjabiensis) and Indian gazelle (Gazella bennettii) at Manglot Wildlife Park, Nowshera District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan. We documented the negative effects of behavioural interference by Punjab urial on the feeding behaviour of Indian gazelle. The outcome of the current study revealed that Punjab urial are highly intolerant towards Indian gazelle, with high interference during feeding. Out of the total aggressive events, 77% (N = 1259) of events ended up with win/loss, in which Punjab urial dominated the Indian gazelle 3.5 times. Moreover, lopsided dominance by Punjab urial resulted in increased intraspecific competition among Indian gazelle (p < 0.001). Current study divulged Indian gazelle to be the subordinate species, with less intake of food. Instead of providing social enrichment by heterospecifics, the Punjab urial is negatively affecting the Indian gazelle, therefore, the results of our study discourage the practice of admix captive breeding for wild sheep and antelopes.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Rabier ◽  
Loïc Lesobre ◽  
Alexandre Robert

AbstractAlthough captive breeding programs are valuable for conservation, they have been shown to be associated with genetic changes, such as adaptation to captivity or inbreeding. In addition, reproductive performance is strongly age-dependent in most animal species. These mechanisms that potentially impact reproduction have often been studied separately, while their interactions have rarely been addressed. In this study, using a large dataset of nine male and female reproductive parameters measured for 12,295 captive houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata undulata) over 24 years, we investigated the relative and interactive effects of age, inbreeding and number of generations in captivity on reproduction. We clearly identified (1) senescence patterns in all parameters studied; (2) negative effects of inbreeding on sperm characteristics, display behavior, egg weight, egg volume and hatching probability; and (3) changes in phenotypic values for seven parameters according to number of generations in captivity. However, the effect sizes associated with age were substantially greater than those associated with inbreeding and number of generations in captivity. Beyond the independent effects of these three factors on reproductive parameters, the results highlighted their interactive effects and thus the importance of integrating them in the design of genetic management plans for conservation breeding programs.


2022 ◽  
Vol 82 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. H. Khattak ◽  
L. Zhensheng ◽  
T. Liwei ◽  
P. Pairah ◽  
Z. Zhirong ◽  
...  

Abstract The Punjab urial (Ovis vignei punjabiensis) is a globally threatened wild sheep species. In Pakistan the species is legally protected and bred in captivity to release into natural habitats to reinforce wild populations. Vigilance and feeding are critical to survival, though the degree to which captive-bred animals exhibit these behaviours post-release has rarely been investigated. We monitored the daily behaviours of five adult urial after release and classifying behaviours from 0600 hrs to 1800 hrs, replicating each one-hour period twice and recording four observations of each animal per hour. At the herd level, vigilance and feeding behaviours were exhibited equally. Males and females invested equal time in feeding, males were more vigilant (p = 0.001) and more aggressive (p = 0.010), and females were more restful (p = 0.019) or engaged in grooming (p = 0.044) or locomotion (p = 0.002). Females spent more time feeding than being vigilant (p = 0.002). Males maintained high levels of vigilance throughout the day. Patterns of resting 1300 hrs to 1500 hrs and feeding in early morning and late afternoon were common for both sexes. Behaviours classified as ‘other’ were exhibited equally between sexes. Our results reveal positive indications of captive-bred urial balancing threat detection and energy acquisition post-release and exhibiting natural behaviours and activity patterns. We encourage assessment of survivorship to evaluate long-term effectiveness of captive breeding and release as a candidate restoration programme.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 172470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie K. Courtney Jones ◽  
Adam J. Munn ◽  
Phillip G. Byrne

Captive breeding programmes are increasingly relied upon for threatened species management. Changes in morphology can occur in captivity, often with unknown consequences for reintroductions. Few studies have examined the morphological changes that occur in captive animals compared with wild animals. Further, the effect of multiple generations being maintained in captivity, and the potential effects of captivity on sexual dimorphism remain poorly understood. We compared external and internal morphology of captive and wild animals using house mouse ( Mus musculus ) as a model species. In addition, we looked at morphology across two captive generations, and compared morphology between sexes. We found no statistically significant differences in external morphology, but after one generation in captivity there was evidence for a shift in the internal morphology of captive-reared mice; captive-reared mice (two generations bred) had lighter combined kidney and spleen masses compared with wild-caught mice. Sexual dimorphism was maintained in captivity. Our findings demonstrate that captive breeding can alter internal morphology. Given that these morphological changes may impact organismal functioning and viability following release, further investigation is warranted. If the morphological change is shown to be maladaptive, these changes would have significant implications for captive-source populations that are used for reintroduction, including reduced survivorship.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-81
Author(s):  
A.A. Yusuf ◽  
O.A. Jayeola ◽  
I.O.O. Osunsina ◽  
G.A. Dedeke

The desire to shore up the shortfall in protein supply, the increased awareness of the importance of cholesterol free animal protein, like guineafowl, and the need to conserve their wild genes, have necessitated studies on improved captive breeding of feral helmeted guineafowl. Hence, this study was aimed at determining the effects of ecological zones and storage systems on the guineafowl eggs. Guineafowl eggs (n=214), were collected from identified and monitored-nests within the Kainji Lake National Park (KLNP) and Old Oyo National Park (OONP). Out of 91 eggs collected from KLNP, 32 and 38 were stored at room temperature (RT-21-25°C) and refrigerator (RF-17-20°C), respectively for five days prior to incubation while 21 eggs were not stored (NS-27-29°C), and out of 123 collected from OONP, 70 and 19 were stored for five days prior to incubation at (RT-21-25°C) and (RF-17-20°C), respectively while 34 eggs were (NS- 27-29°C). Prior to incubation, eggs were weighed, the height and width were measured. The process was repeated after incubation for unhatched eggs. Candling was done three days before hatching at day 29 of egg incubation. Embryo status of unhatched eggs was determined by cracking the eggs. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data. The NS eggs from Kainji (7.60%) and Oyo (2.01%) had the lowest percentage shrinkage in weight across the three storage systems. The order was reversed in height with RF eggs from Kainji (0.96%) and Oyo (0.46%) having lowest. The least shrinkage in width of eggs from Oyo was recorded in the RF eggs (0.00%) and in NS (0.59%) from Kainji. Eggs candling showed that presumed fertile (opaque) was highest (69.10%) in NS eggs followed by RT (45.00%). There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between the hatchability of eggs from the two parks though hatchability (7.60%) of Kainji eggs was higher than those of Oyo (7.40%). Further check on fertilization after incubation showed that RT (37.50%) eggs from Kainji were fertilized but were unable to hatch alive so also was RF eggs (21.10%). The study showed that the eggs sizes vary with ecozones while size of the eggs and storage systems affects hatchability and survival of feral helmeted guineafowl eggs in captivity. Keywords: Guineafowl; ecozones; storage systems; incubation; candling; hatchability


Author(s):  
H L Auld ◽  
D P Jacobson ◽  
A C Rhodes ◽  
M A Banks

Abstract Captive breeding can affect how sexual selection acts on subsequent generations. One context where this is important is in fish hatcheries. In many salmon hatcheries, spawning is controlled artificially and offspring are reared in captivity before release into the wild. While previous studies have suggested that hatchery and natural origin fish may make different mate choice decisions, it remains to be determined how hatchery fish may be making different mate choice decisions compared to natural origin fish at a genetic level. Using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS), we identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with variation in mate pairings from a natural context involving hatchery and natural origin coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). In both natural origin and hatchery mate pairs, we observed more SNPs with negative assortment, than positive assortment. However, only 3% of the negative assortment SNPs were shared between the two mating groups, and 1% of the positive assortment SNPs were shared between the two mating groups, indicating divergence in mating cues between wild and hatchery raised salmon. These findings shed light on mate choice in general and may have important implications in the conservation management of species as well as for improving other captive breeding scenarios. There remains much to discover about mate choice in salmon and research described here reflects our intent to test the potential of ongoing advances in population genomics to develop new hatchery practices that may improve the performance of hatchery offspring, lessening the differences and thus potential impacts upon wild stocks.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 194008292091565
Author(s):  
Peggy A. N. Krisna ◽  
Jatna Supriatna ◽  
M. Suparmoko ◽  
R. Garsetiasih

Oryx ◽  
1967 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian. R. Grimwood

In 1961 the Arabian oryx was in such danger that the only hope for its survival seemed to lie in capturing sufficient animals to start a breeding herd in captivity from which eventually some could be returned to the wild. The Fauna Preservation Society, aided by the World Wildlife Fund, organised Operation Oryx, and under the leadership of Major Grimwood, then Chief Game Warden in Kenya, three animals were captured. These, together with some from the very few in captivity, were sent to Phoenix Zoo in Arizona for stage two of the operation, the breeding of a stock, which is now going on successfully. Stage three, the return to the wild, still lies ahead. Describing the capture expedition, Major Grimwood emphasises the immense interest it aroused, which brought help from six governments, five zoos, scores of societies and clubs, hundreds of individuals, and several oil and other companies, including an electricity company in Kenya which emptied its showroom of ovens in order to heat the oryx's quarantine quarters to save them from the cold.


2005 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 327-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
MANEE ARCHAWARANON

Hill Mynah Gracula religiosa is one of the most popular bird pets worldwide due to its ability to mimic diverse sounds, especially human speech. However, Mynahs have rarely been bred in captivity, so nestlings from natural populations are in large demand, resulting in many populations being threatened with extinction. Both subspecies in Thailand, intermedia and religiosa, are costly and desired in the pet market. Captive breeding is one of the most practical strategies to solve a conservation problem of this nature and this report describes a success in breeding Hill Mynahs in captivity. Mated pairs were given free access to food, nest-cavities and nest materials. Reproductive behaviour in captivity was not different from that in the wild, with the exception that breeding occurred throughout the year, even during the non-breeding season for wild populations. Although there are doubts concerning the reintroduction of captive-bred birds and whether successful Hill Mynah breeding in captivity is an economically competitive alternative to poaching, it ensures species survival in captivity as the risk of extinction increases.


1983 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 77 ◽  
Author(s):  
CN Johnson ◽  
KA Johnson

The behaviour was observed, in captivity, of the bilby Macrotis lagotis, a fossorial bandicoot of central Australia. Most of the observations were made at night, but some were of below-ground behaviour during the daylight hours. Bilbies proved to be relatively passive in comparison with other bandicoots, and a rigid dominance hierarchy amongst males was maintained without destructive fighting. Dominant males chased subordinate males out of and away from burrows and the alpha male maintained priority of access to all the well used burrows in the enclosure. Males scent-marked around burrows; the dominant male usually marked over scents left by other bilbies. Males shared burrows freely with females, and copulation appears to take place down burrows. Information is also given on female-female and mother-young behaviour, and some suggestions are made concerning the social structure of wild bilbies. Activity cycles, feeding behaviour, etc. are described.


2019 ◽  
Vol 286 (1912) ◽  
pp. 20191584 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirkka Lahdenperä ◽  
John Jackson ◽  
Win Htut ◽  
Virpi Lummaa

Capturing wild animals is common for conservation, economic or research purposes. Understanding how capture itself affects lifetime fitness measures is often difficult because wild and captive populations live in very different environments and there is a need for long-term life-history data. Here, we show how wild capture influences reproduction in 2685 female Asian elephants ( Elephas maximus ) used in the timber industry in Myanmar. Wild-caught females demonstrated a consistent reduction in breeding success relative to captive-born females, with significantly lower lifetime reproduction probabilities, lower breeding probabilities at peak reproductive ages and a later age of first reproduction. Furthermore, these negative effects lasted for over a decade, and there was a significant influence on the next generation: wild-caught females had calves with reduced survival to age 5. Our results suggest that wild capture has long-term consequences for reproduction, which is important not only for elephants, but also for other species in captivity.


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