Novel mtDNA haplotypes represented in the European captive population of the Endangered François’ langur (Trachypithecus francoisi)

Farré, Marta; Johnstone, Cameron; Hopper, Jane; Kitchener, Andrew C.; Roos, Christian; King, Tony

doi:10.1007/s10764-022-00295-x

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Moreover, by using genetic information, the probable geographical provenance of founder animals can be ascertained. This can be particularly useful to help with decision-making in relation to the suitability of captive populations or of individual captive animals for prospective reintroduction or other release projects (Ogden et al, 2018), especially of threatened species that have been extirpated locally at some sites or that persist in isolated populations at risk of losing genetic diversity (Farré et al, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The mitochondrial DNA diversity of captive ruffed lemurs (Vareciaspp.): implications for conservation

Vega

Hopper²,

Kitchener

et al. 2023

Oryx

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Ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata and Varecia rubra) are categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, and genetic studies are needed for assessing the conservation value of captive populations. Using 280 mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop sequences, we studied the genetic diversity and structure of captive ruffed lemurs in Madagascar, Europe and North America. We found 10 new haplotypes: one from the European captive V. rubra population, three from captive V. variegata subcincta (one from Europe and two from Madagascar) and six from other captive V. variegata in Madagascar. We found low mtDNA genetic diversity in the European and North American captive populations of V. variegata. Several founder individuals shared the same mtDNA haplotype and therefore should not be assumed to be unrelated founders when making breeding recommendations. The captive population in Madagascar has high genetic diversity, including haplotypes not yet identified in wild populations. We determined the probable geographical provenance of founders of captive populations by comparison with previous studies; all reported haplotypes from captive ruffed lemurs were identical to or clustered with haplotypes from wild populations located north of the Mangoro River in Madagascar. Effective conservation strategies for wild populations, with potentially unidentified genetic diversity, should still be considered the priority for conserving ruffed lemurs. However, our results illustrate that the captive population in Madagascar has conservation value as a source of potential release stock for reintroduction or reinforcement projects and that cross-regional transfers within the global captive population could increase the genetic diversity and therefore the conservation value of each regional population.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The mitochondrial DNA diversity of captive ruffed lemurs (Vareciaspp.): implications for conservation

Vega

Hopper²,

Kitchener

et al. 2023

Oryx

Self Cite

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“…Knowing the founding members' geographic origin and genetic composition can inform breeding prioritization that would help maximize ex situ gene diversity. Previous studies have used genetic information to inform ex situ genetic diversity, but the molecular markers used (with different types of inheritance) have varied from mitochondrial (Farré et al, 2022; Ogden et al, 2018; Stanton et al, 2015; White et al., 2022) to nuclear (microsatellites: Stanton et al, 2015; White et. al., 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wild origins and mitochondrial genetic diversity of Angolan Colobus monkeys (Colobus angolensis) in AZA‐accredited zoos and its implications for ex situ population management

McDonald

Cunneyworth²,

Anderson

et al. 2023

Zoo Biology

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Across zoo's accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), species are typically managed as a single population to retain 90% of the founding members' gene diversity. Often, little is known about the specific geographic origins of the founders or how representative the ex situ population's genetic diversity is of the wild population. This study uses mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequencing to investigate haplotype diversity and geographic female founder origin of the AZA‐managed Angolan colobus (Colobus angolensis) monkey population. We obtained fecal samples from individuals closely related to founder animals at five zoos and found four haplotypes among 23 individuals. Analyzed together with wild C. angolensis haplotypes, we found two haplotypes identical to those found in Tanzanian populations: one haplotype, possessed by 13 individuals (descended from three founders), matched an East Usambara Mountains haplotype, while the other, possessed by seven individuals (from four founders), matched a haplotype found in both the South Pare Mountains and Rufiji River. Two haplotypes were not detected in wild populations but were closely related to haplotypes found in the Rufiji River (one individual descended from one founder) and Shimoni, Kenya (two individuals descended from one founder) populations, suggesting nearby origins. Thus, the AZA‐managed population of Angolan colobus likely originated from several localities, but all have mtDNA lineages associated with the subspecies C. a. palliatus, a Vulnerable subspecies. Examining founders' mtDNA haplotypes may be a useful addition to the zoo population management toolkit to help improve breeding recommendations by identifying individuals with rare haplotypes and revealing likely kinship among founders.

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Admixture and reproductive skew shape the conservation value of ex situ populations of the Critically Endangered eastern black rhino

Elsner-Gearing,

Kretzschmar,

Shultz

et al. 2024

Conserv Genet

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Small populations of endangered species risk losing already eroded genetic diversity, important for adaptive potential, through the effects of genetic drift. The magnitude of drift can be mitigated by maximising the effective population size, as is the goal of genetic management strategies. Different mating systems, specifically those leading to reproductive skew, exacerbate genetic drift by distorting contributions. In the absence of an active management strategy, reproductive skew will have long-term effects on the genetic composition of a population, particularly where admixture is present. Here we examine the contrasting effects of conservation management strategies in two ex situ populations of the Critically Endangered eastern black rhino (Diceros bicornis michaeli), one managed as a semi-wild population in South Africa (SAx), and one managed under a mean-kinship breeding strategy in European zoos. We use molecular data to reconstruct pedigrees for both populations and validate the method using the zoo studbook. Using the reconstructed pedigree and studbook we show there is male sex-specific skew in both populations. However, the zoo’s mean-kinship breeding strategy effectively reduces reproductive skew in comparison to a semi-wild population with little genetic management. We also show that strong male reproductive skew in SAx has resulted in extensive admixture, which may require a re-evaluation of the population’s original intended role in the black rhino meta-population. With a high potential for admixture in many ex situ populations of endangered species, molecular and pedigree data remain vital tools for populations needing to balance drift and selection.

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Novel mtDNA haplotypes represented in the European captive population of the Endangered François’ langur (Trachypithecus francoisi)

Cited by 4 publications

References 5 publications

The mitochondrial DNA diversity of captive ruffed lemurs (Vareciaspp.): implications for conservation

The mitochondrial DNA diversity of captive ruffed lemurs (Vareciaspp.): implications for conservation

Wild origins and mitochondrial genetic diversity of Angolan Colobus monkeys (Colobus angolensis) in AZA‐accredited zoos and its implications for ex situ population management

Admixture and reproductive skew shape the conservation value of ex situ populations of the Critically Endangered eastern black rhino

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