Conservation breeding of the <scp>N</scp>orthern river terrapin <i><scp>B</scp>atagur baska</i> at the <scp>V</scp>ienna <scp>Z</scp>oo, <scp>A</scp>ustria, and in <scp>B</scp>angladesh

Weissenbacher, Anton; Preininger, Doris; Ghosh, Rahul; Morshed, A. G. J.; Praschag, Peter

doi:10.1111/izy.12070

Cited by 13 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Conservation initiatives frequently include captive breeding programs for reintroductions and to serve as genetic assurance colonies. Therefore, any technique that can enhance a program's success are valuable, as demonstrated by the Batagur baska conservation program, where a few successful clutches had a significant impact on the sustainability of the species [Weissenbacher et al, ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chelonian perivitelline membrane-bound sperm detection: A new breeding management tool

Croyle

Gibbons²,

Light³

et al. 2016

Zoo Biology

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Perivitelline membrane (PVM)-bound sperm detection has recently been incorporated into avian breeding programs to assess egg fertility, confirm successful copulation, and to evaluate male reproductive status and pair compatibility. Due to the similarities between avian and chelonian egg structure and development, and because fertility determination in chelonian eggs lacking embryonic growth is equally challenging, PVM-bound sperm detection may also be a promising tool for the reproductive management of turtles and tortoises. This study is the first to successfully demonstrate the use of PVM-bound sperm detection in chelonian eggs. Recovered membranes were stained with Hoechst 33342 and examined for sperm presence using fluorescence microscopy. Sperm were positively identified for up to 206 days post-oviposition, following storage, diapause, and/or incubation, in 52 opportunistically collected eggs representing 12 species. However, advanced microbial infection frequently hindered the ability to detect membrane-bound sperm. Fertile Centrochelys sulcata, Manouria emys, and Stigmochelys pardalis eggs were used to evaluate the impact of incubation and storage on the ability to detect sperm. Storage at -20°C or in formalin were found to be the best methods for egg preservation prior to sperm detection. Additionally, sperm-derived mtDNA was isolated and PCR amplified from Astrochelys radiata, C. sulcata, and S. pardalis eggs. PVM-bound sperm detection has the potential to substantially improve studies of artificial incubation and sperm storage, and could be used to evaluate the success of artificial insemination in chelonian species. Mitochondrial DNA from PVM-bound sperm has applications for parentage analysis, the study of sperm competition, and potentially species identification.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chelonian perivitelline membrane-bound sperm detection: A new breeding management tool

Croyle

Gibbons²,

Light³

et al. 2016

Zoo Biology

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“…Dunson & Moll, ; Dunson & Seidel, ; Kinneary, ; Rhodin, Mittermeier, & Hall, ; Taskavak, Reimann, & Polder, ; Rasmussen et al, ; see Table ). Populations of four species ( Batagur baska , B. affinis , Malaclemys terrapin, and Orlitia borneensis ) were restricted to or exclusive to brackish water (Sharma & Tisen, ; Weissenbacher et al, ). Furthermore, multiple species restricted their use of brackish water to short periods (days to months) or specific life‐history stages (typically as adults).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Salinity tolerances and use of saline environments by freshwater turtles: implications of sea level rise

et al. 2018

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The projected rise in global mean sea levels places many freshwater turtle species at risk of saltwater intrusion into freshwater habitats. Freshwater turtles are disproportionately more threatened than other taxa; thus, understanding the role of salinity in determining their contemporary distribution and evolution should be a research priority. Freshwater turtles are a slowly evolving lineage; however, they can adapt physiologically or behaviourally to various levels of salinity and, therefore, temporarily occur in marine or brackish environments. Here, we provide the first comprehensive global review on freshwater turtle use and tolerance of brackish water ecosystems. We link together current knowledge of geographic occurrence, salinity tolerance, phylogenetic relationships, and physiological and behavioural mechanisms to generate a baseline understanding of the response of freshwater turtles to changing saline environments. We also review the potential origins of salinity tolerance in freshwater turtles. Finally, we integrate 2100 sea level rise (SLR) projections, species distribution maps, literature gathered on brackish water use, and a phylogeny to predict the exposure of freshwater turtles to projected SLR globally. From our synthesis of published literature and available data, we build a framework for spatial and phylogenetic conservation prioritization of coastal freshwater turtles. Based on our literature review, 70 species (∼30% of coastal freshwater turtle species) from 10 of the 11 freshwater turtle families have been reported in brackish water ecosystems. Most anecdotal records, observations, and descriptions do not imply long-term salinity tolerance among freshwater turtles. Rather, experiments show that some species exhibit potential for adaptation and plasticity in physiological, behavioural, and life-history traits that enable them to endure varying periods (e.g. days or months) and levels of saltwater exposure. Species that specialize on brackish water habitats are likely to be vulnerable to SLR because of their exclusive coastal distributions and adaptations to a narrow range of salinities. Most species, however, have not been documented in brackish water habitats but may also be highly vulnerable to projected SLR. Our analysis suggests that approximately 90% of coastal freshwater turtle species assessed in our study will be affected by a 1-m increase in global mean SLR by 2100. Most at risk are freshwater turtles found in New Guinea, Southeast Asia, Australia, and North and South America that may lose more than 10% of their present geographic range. In addition, turtle species in the families Chelidae, Emydidae, and Trionychidae may experience the greatest exposure to projected SLR in their present geographic ranges. Better understanding of survival, growth, reproductive and population-level responses to SLR will improve region-specific population viability predictions of freshwater turtles that are increasingly exposed to SLR. Integrating phylogenetic, physiological, and spatial frameworks t...

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“…The need to conserve ‘less attractive’, economically unimportant and even widely unknown species, which are often far more threatened than the more‐popular animals in zoological institutions, has been recently recognized. Such initiatives include the EDGE of Existence programme (for Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered species; ZSL, UK), ‘Stiftung Artenschutz’ (Münster Zoo, Germany) and several projects emanating from Vienna Zoo, Austria, such as Project Batagur Baska focusing on the rare South East Asian Northern river terrapin Batagur baska (Weissenbacher et al ., ) or the ‘Artenschutzprojekt Aphanius’ focusing on a group of small fish in the Near East (Zornig & Weissenbacher, ). Vienna Zoo has been involved in several conservation projects for extended periods; for example, the reintroduction of the Bearded vulture Gypaetus barbatus in the Central European Alps, which started in 1978 and is still ongoing (Schaub et al ., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Back into the wild: establishing a migratory Northern bald ibis Geronticus eremita population in Europe

Fritz

Kramer²,

Hoffmann³

et al. 2017

International Zoo Yearbook

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From the perspective of zoological institutions reintroduction projects offer many possibilities to link conservation and research programmes. An example of the multi‐layered and diverse contributions that zoological institutions in general and, specifically, Vienna Zoo, Austria, can make is the reintroduction of the Northern bald ibis Geronticus eremita in central Europe. The involvement of zoological institutions ranges from the provision of eggs or birds for release trials, to financial and advocacy support, including with government agencies and non‐governmental organizations. Through involvement at a steering level at the coordinative association ‘Förderverein Waldrappteam’ and as a partner in the EU LIFE+ reintroduction project, Vienna Zoo directly contributes to the shape of the reintroduction project for this Critically Endangered species, and provides much more than technical and infrastructural support. The reintroduction of the Northern bald ibis is broadly in line with the reintroduction guidelines of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. This project provides added benefits not only through its work to prevent the illegal hunting of migratory birds but also the production and dissemination of scientific research.

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Conservation breeding of the Northern river terrapin Batagur baska at the Vienna Zoo, Austria, and in Bangladesh

Cited by 13 publications

References 26 publications

Chelonian perivitelline membrane-bound sperm detection: A new breeding management tool

Chelonian perivitelline membrane-bound sperm detection: A new breeding management tool

Salinity tolerances and use of saline environments by freshwater turtles: implications of sea level rise

Back into the wild: establishing a migratory Northern bald ibis Geronticus eremita population in Europe

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