Breeding Centers, Private Ranches, and Genomics for Creating Sustainable Wildlife Populations

Abstract

Human-induced changes to environments are causing species declines. Beyond preserving habitat (in situ), insurance (ex situ) populations are essential to prevent species extinctions. The Conservation Centers for Species Survival (C2S2) is leveraging space of breeding centers and private ranches to produce “source populations”—genetically diverse reservoirs that also support research and reintroductions. The initial focus is on four African antelopes. C2S2 has developed a program, the Source Population Alliance, that emphasizes animals living in spacious, naturalistic conditions in greater numbers than can be accommodated by urban zoos. Simulation modeling demonstrates how herds can rapidly increase population abundance and retain genetic diversity. Advances in genomics and resulting DNA data allow monitoring of genetic diversity and parentage as well as refined decision-making. This approach, neither pure in situ nor ex situ, but rather “sorta situ”, is an innovative way of linking public and private sector resources to ensure that endangered species survive.

Chromosomal‐level genome assembly of the scimitar‐horned oryx: Insights into diversity and demography of a species extinct in the wild

“…This has arguably contributed towards the failure of numerous reintroduction attempts (Robert, 2009; Tallmon, Luikart, & Waples, 2004; Weeks et al., 2011). Continued advances in sequencing technology have now made it possible to generate high resolution genomic data for practically any species, and the wider uptake of these approaches by the conservation community would undoubtedly increase the chance of successful management outcomes (Allendorf, Hohenlohe, & Luikart, 2010; Shafer et al., 2015; Supple & Shapiro, 2018; Wildt et al., 2019).…”

“…In the decades that followed, captive SHO numbers increased to reach ~15,000 individuals (Gilbert, 2019). These are primarily held in private collections without strict management schemes such as those in the United Arab Emirates (Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi, EAD) and southern USA (Wildt et al., 2019), but also within studbook managed breeding programmes including those in Europe (European Endangered Species Program, EEP) and North America (Species Survival Plan Program, SSP). Rapid reductions in population size, such as those associated with the founding of captive populations, are generally expected to lead to a substantial loss of genetic diversity (Frankham et al., 2002).…”

White-naped mangabeys’ viable insurance population within European Zoo Network

“…This lack of information occurs even if institutions make every effort to implement the most efficient standardized methods. Pedigrees can remain problematic due to multiple reasons, including difficulties associated with discerning parentage with herd or flock breeding 22 , 23 , low generation depth 24 , unknown founder relationships 25 , and human error 21 , among others 45 .…”

“…The effectiveness of pedigree analyses relies on the strict control of genealogical information carried in endangered populations, from the moment when the base captive-founder populations were established. The integrity of the genealogical information present in pedigrees may be compromised by problems associated to the veracity and effectivity of the tools used [21][22][23] , pedigree completeness levels 24,25 and of the thoroughness of the operators participating in the process of data collection and registration 21 , among others. The estimates derived from the analyses of nonrobust pedigrees (i.e., low depth, missing information, errors, unknown founder relationships, among others) can be favoured if empirical estimates of relatedness via genetic markers (microsatellites or SNPs) are determined 26 .…”

Integrating genomics into conservation management

“…Ex situ populations, in particular those in studbook managed programmes, harbour more genetic variation than expected. In both zoos and private collections, populations can be more effectively managed through integrated management strategies informed by genomic data and modelling (Giglio, Ivy, Jones, & Latch, 2016;Wildt et al, 2019). As the scimitar-horned oryx reintroduction programme continues and populations become established, SNP arrays developed from the genomic resources presented in Humble et al (2020) can be used to effectively monitor wild populations.…”