Effects of inbreeding and parental incubation on captive breeding success in Hawaiian crows

Hoeck, Paquita E. A.; Wolak, Matthew E.; Switzer, Richard A.; Kuehler, Cyndi; Lieberman, Alan

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2015.02.011

Cited by 31 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…The Alala genome assembly resulting from long-read sequencing data provides a high-quality reference genome that is enabling downstream comparative, population, and conservation applications. Prior to this study, molecular work using limited genetic markers identified low diversity in the species [20,21], and pedigree analysis identified inbreeding effects on hatching success, as well as skewed founder representation [15,18]. Based on these studies, we identified a need to generate genomic resources to aid conservation management.…”

Section: Applications To Alala Conservationmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…By 2002 the species was described as "extinct in the wild" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species [reviewed in 18]. Today, the Alala is one of the most endangered endemic bird species in Hawaii, having existed entirely in captivity from 2002-2016 [15]. All extant individuals are descended from nine genetic founders that established the conservation breeding program [described in 18,19].…”

Section: Study Species and Aimsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In 2016, a long-term reintroduction program was initiated in attempt to establish a self-sustaining population in the wild. Although a detailed pedigree has been established and utilized for captive management, including choosing breeding pairs, the current population exhibits signs of inbreeding depression [15]. For example, the species suffers from low hatching success, and the majority of inbreeding in the population appears to be attributed to a single founding pair [18].…”

Section: Study Species and Aimsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These included a more detailed picture of population-level genomic diversity and genetic load, as well as more accurate estimates of molecular relatedness to assist with choosing breeding pairs. Genomic resources were also desired to begin investigations of the basis of traits such as poor hatching success, as ~ 61% of fertile Alala eggs fail [15], compared with ~ 10% in most birds [74]. Since the generation of this Alala assembly, several projects have been initiated that rely heavily on use of this new resource.…”

Section: Applications To Alala Conservationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…captive breeding) program, where inbreeding depression (i.e. loss of fitness due to inbreeding) has been observed during pedigree analysis [15]. The genome will also be used for comparative studies aimed at understanding the evolution of tool-use and other behaviors [e.g .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A high-quality, long-read de novo genome assembly to aid conservation of Hawaii’s last remaining crow species

Sutton

Helmkampf

Steiner

et al. 2018

Preprint

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Genome-level data can provide researchers with unprecedented precision to examine the causes and genetic consequences of population declines, and to apply these results to conservation management. Here we present a high-quality, long-read, de novo genome assembly for one of the world's most endangered bird species, the Alala. As the only remaining native crow species in Hawaii, the Alala survived solely in a captive breeding program from 2002 until 2016, at which point a long-term reintroduction program was initiated. The high-quality genome assembly was generated to lay the foundation for both comparative genomics studies, and the development of population-level genomic tools that will aid conservation and recovery efforts. We illustrate how the quality of this assembly places it amongst the very best avian genomes assembled to date, comparable to intensively studied model systems. We describe the genome architecture in terms of repetitive elements and runs of homozygosity, and we show that compared with more outbred species, the Alala genome is substantially more homozygous. We also provide annotations for a subset of immunity genes that are likely to be important for conservation applications, and we discuss how this genome is currently being used as a roadmap for downstream conservation applications.

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Section: Applications To Alala Conservationmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Study Species and Aimsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Study Species and Aimsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Applications To Alala Conservationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

A high-quality, long-read de novo genome assembly to aid conservation of Hawaii’s last remaining crow species

Sutton

Helmkampf

Steiner

et al. 2018

Preprint

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Genetic tests reveal extra‐pair paternity among Gentoo penguins (Pyogoscelis papua ellsworthii) at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium: Implications for ex situ colony management

Lee

Tirrell

Burrell³

et al. 2018

Zoo Biology

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Maintenance of ex situ populations for species conservation is a collaborative effort involving multiple agencies, institutions, and individuals around the world. Gentoo penguins (Pyogoscelis papua) are one species involved in such a conservation effort, and a Species Survival Plan (SSP) has been put in place by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to foster their long-term sustainability. As a part of their SSP, a Breeding and Transfer Plan has been created to support interagency exchanges of specimens. These transfers are vital to the demographic health and stability of ex situ populations, as well as the maintenance of genetic diversity. In populations such as the Gentoo, where social monogamy exists, paternal inferences of offspring are usually made through observation of birds' social behavior. However, social monogamy does not guarantee reproductive monogamy. In this study, we utilize Illumina high-throughput DNA sequencing to genetically test the postulated paternity of Gentoo penguins born at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium (LLPA) in Draper, UT. While our data support the majority of the postulated relationships, we did identify two offspring that were the result of extra-pair paternity (EPP). The results of this research highlight the importance of genetic tests to validate pedigrees used in SSPs, to provide more-accurate data for the support of species conservation.

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Adapting conservation breeding techniques using a data‐driven approach to restore the ‘Alalā (Hawaiian crow, Corvus hawaiiensis)

Flanagan,

Masuda,

Komarczyk

et al. 2023

Zoo Biology

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For some critically endangered species, conservation breeding is a vital steppingstone toward re‐establishing wild populations. The ‘Alalā (Hawaiian crow, Corvus hawaiiensis), currently extinct in the wild, exists today only in a conservation breeding program, which, for many years, utilized successful hands‐on husbandry approaches such as separating and resocializing pairs, providing partially manmade nests, artificially incubating eggs, and puppet rearing nestlings. Yet, a top priority of any conservation breeding program is to retain natural behaviors essential to postrelease survival and reproduction, to achieve successful reintroduction and restoration to the wild. We describe how we are adapting ‘Alalā husbandry techniques to strengthen pair bonds through full‐time socialization, enable pairs to build robust nests, encourage females to incubate eggs to hatch, and provide pairs and their offspring with vital parental rearing experiences. We discuss the use of standardized, data‐driven methods to objectively track our progress towards successful parental breeding and to select release candidates based on their likelihood to survive and breed in the wild. The information shared in this report can be applied to other conservation breeding programs, particularly those implementing or transitioning to husbandry techniques geared towards preparing species to thrive in the wild.

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Effects of inbreeding and parental incubation on captive breeding success in Hawaiian crows

Cited by 31 publications

References 36 publications

A high-quality, long-read de novo genome assembly to aid conservation of Hawaii’s last remaining crow species

A high-quality, long-read de novo genome assembly to aid conservation of Hawaii’s last remaining crow species

Genetic tests reveal extra‐pair paternity among Gentoo penguins (Pyogoscelis papua ellsworthii) at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium: Implications for ex situ colony management

Adapting conservation breeding techniques using a data‐driven approach to restore the ‘Alalā (Hawaiian crow, Corvus hawaiiensis)

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