Assessment of Genome Damage in Bird and Mammal Species as a Tool for Improvements in ex-situ Conservation at Zoos

Abstract

Ex-situ conservation at zoos requires strategies regarding improvements to enclosures, as ex-situ conserved specimens constitute an effective reservoir for genetic and biological restoration. The present study focuses on the management of enclosures at zoos and offering an accurate, fast and inexpensive procedure for ex-situ conservation through the assessment of the degree of genome damage (micronuclei) in different bird and mammal species. Analyses of variance revealed statistically significant differences in both bird and mammal species, in comparison to their reference groups. All bird species and Tapirus terrestris had high proportional micronucleus indexes, indicating high susceptibility to genome damage through contact with polluted water from the river used to supply the enclosures. Recognizing the relationship between water quality (evaluated at entry and exit of water in the zoo) and habitat deterioration as well as individual responses to these factors in terms of genotoxicity make efforts directed at ex-situ conservation an urgent priority.

Gold Mining and Genotoxic Effects on Vicuñas: A Comparative Study of Buccal Cells and Lymphocytes

“…When comparing these values, it becomes evident that only the Villa Amarka, Ayllu Cololo, Cañuhuma, and Nubepampa communities fall within the range of human spontaneous micronuclei frequency. The closest available data for MN in lymphocytes come from llamas (Lama glama and Lama glama glama) from zoos in Mexico and Brazil, with spontaneous MN frequencies ranging from 0.03% to 0.04% (Camacho 1994;Zúñiga et al 1996;Adam et al 2013). These frequencies are lower than those observed in this study, with the only community exhibiting values close to these being Apacheta (0.07%).…”