Optimizing the genetic management of reintroduction projects: genetic population structure of the captive Northern Bald Ibis population

Wirtz, Sarah; Böhm, Christiane; Fritz, Johannes; Kotrschal, Kurt; Veith, Michael; Hochkirch, Axel

doi:10.1007/s10592-018-1059-6

Cited by 22 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…Affected birds were partly members of the founder generation (F0: N = 10), stemming from different European zoos, and partly wild-born (F1: N = 15). Kinship data and genetic data (Wirtz et al 2018) did not hint at any particular relationship between the affected individuals. Left and right eyes were equally affected by UCO (left: N = 12, right: N = 13).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 87%

Biologging is suspect to cause corneal opacity in two populations of wild living Northern Bald Ibises (Geronticus eremita)

et al. 2020

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Background In this paper, we present evidence that biologging is strongly correlated with eye irritation, with sometimes severely impairing effects. A migratory population of the Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita, NBI) is reintroduced in Europe, in course of a LIFE + project. Since 2014, all individuals have been equipped with GPS-devices. Remote monitoring allows the implementation of focussed measures against major mortality causes. Methods Initially all birds carried battery-powered devices, fixed on the lower back of the birds. Since 2016 an increasing amount of birds has been equipped with solar-powered devices, fixed on the upper back, the more sun-exposed position. In 2016, we observed opacity in the cornea of one eye (unilateral corneal opacity; UCO) during a regular health monitoring for the first time. Results By 2018, a total of 25 birds were affected by UCO, with varying intensity up to blindness. Clinical examination of the birds revealed no clear cause for the symptoms. However, only birds carrying a device on the upper back were affected (2017 up to 70% of this group). In contrast, none of the birds carrying devices on the lower back ever showed UCO symptoms. This unexpected relationship between tagging and UCO was discovered in 2017. After we took countermeasures by removing the device or repositioning it on the lower back, we observed an immediate reduction of the incidence rate without any new cases reported since January 2019. NBI roost with their head on the back, one eye closely placed to the device if it was positioned on the upper back. Thus, we conclude that the most parsimonious explanation for the symptomatology is either a repetitive slight temperature rise in the corneal tissue due to electromagnetic radiation by the GSM module of the device or a repetitive slight mechanical irritation of the corneal surface. Concrete evidence is missing so far. Meanwhile, cases of UCO were found in another NBI population. Conclusion Our observations indicate that further research in the fast-growing field of biologging is urgently needed. The findings question the positioning of devices on the upper back in birds roosting with the head on the back.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 87%

Biologging is suspect to cause corneal opacity in two populations of wild living Northern Bald Ibises (Geronticus eremita)

et al. 2020

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“…Despite recommendations to mix founding populations (e.g. Wirtz et al , 2018), genetic admixture attempts are still rare (Ralls et al , 2018). Concerns over outbreeding depression, the possible loss of local adaptation and scepticism over the benefit of genetic admixture are common reasons given to not mix genetically differentiated populations (Ralls et al , 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mixing genetically differentiated populations successfully boosts diversity of an endangered carnivore

McLennan

Grueber

Wise³

et al. 2020

Animal Conservation

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Biodiversity decline and genetic erosion are among the most challenging conservation issues. Genetic admixture, the mixing of two or more genetically differentiated populations, can increase genetic diversity of admixed individuals. However, genetic admixture for conservation purposes is rare due to concerns over outbreeding depression, loss of local adaptations and scepticism regarding the benefits of mixing populations. We used an introduced population of Tasmanian devils Sarcophilus harrisii descended from two genetically differentiated source populations to illustrate the benefits of genetic admixture for translocation programmes. Devils are endangered due to an infectious cancer causing 80% population declines across their range since disease emergence in 1996. Devil populations are known to be structured on an east-west cline across Tasmania. As part of their conservation management, devils were introduced to Maria Island, Tasmania in an assisted colonization in 2012 with supplementations in 2013 and 2017. Of the released individuals (N = 34), 23 were western (13M; 10F), four were eastern (4F) and seven were of mixed origin (2M; 5F). The genetic composition of devils born on Maria Island (N = 185) was examined using 927 single nucleotide polymorphism loci. Using a reconstructed pedigree for each individual, we examined the proportion of founding origin (east, west or mixed) and used Shannon's Diversity Index to quantify the evenness of founder origin. Individuals with mixed origins (N = 102) had higher genetic diversity than purebred individuals (N = 83), and increased evenness of founder origin was positively correlated with genetic diversity. Increased genetic diversity had no influence on reproductive success. For a genetically depauperate species, mixing individuals descended from differentiated populations, resulted in increased diversity in subsequent generations. This finding permits conservation managers to select individuals for translocation that produce offspring with higher genetic diversity, creating high-diversity source populations that can be used when augmenting other declining wild populations.

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“…Modern day ex situ aviculture can be of real help to the writing, implementation, trialing and evaluation of conservation action. Precedent is available in the literature that shows how captive birds can support field-based conservation [73][74][75][76][77][78]. The increased uptake of the One Plan Approach to conservation and the rationalizing of regional collection plans across zoos, to further justify species kept to enhance the chances of maintaining genetically viable and sustainable bird populations, increases the need for directed research and action research to consistently evaluate avicultural practice to ensure that it is fit for purpose.…”

Section: Moving Forwards With Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence for Aviculture: Identifying Research Needs to Advance the Role of Ex Situ Bird Populations in Conservation Initiatives and Collection Planning

Rose

2021

Birds

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Birds are the most speciose of all taxonomic groups currently housed in zoos, but this species diversity is not always matched by their inclusion in research output in the peer-reviewed literature. This large and diverse captive population is an excellent tool for research investigation, the findings of which can be relevant to conservation and population sustainability aims. The One Plan Approach to conservation aims to foster tangible conservation relevance of ex situ populations to those animals living in situ. The use of birds in zoo aviculture as proxies for wild-dwelling counterparts is considered from this integrated conservation approach. This paper considers the relevance of ex situ bird populations to field-based conservation action and it illustrates how “added value” to captive populations can be gained from their inclusion in conservation efforts. Current trends in scientific publications that focus on birds are provided to identify patterns in species focus and identification of areas of study that could be relevant to advancing avicultural practices, bird husbandry standards, animal welfare and conservation relevance of such populations. Research into wild birds is extremely useful for furthering how birds are managed in zoological collections. Collaboration between field-based projects that have involved zoo professionals are reviewed, to showcase information transfer from the field to the zoo and vice versa, and the ultimate benefits to aviculture and the added value that can be brought to zoo bird populations. Suggested ideas for research into specific areas of ex situ population management and conservation, and avicultural practices are provided to guide future researchers in their endeavors to ensure we have the evidence needed to care for and conserve birds as appropriately and as viably as possible.

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Optimizing the genetic management of reintroduction projects: genetic population structure of the captive Northern Bald Ibis population

Cited by 22 publications

References 58 publications

Biologging is suspect to cause corneal opacity in two populations of wild living Northern Bald Ibises (Geronticus eremita)

Biologging is suspect to cause corneal opacity in two populations of wild living Northern Bald Ibises (Geronticus eremita)

Mixing genetically differentiated populations successfully boosts diversity of an endangered carnivore

Evidence for Aviculture: Identifying Research Needs to Advance the Role of Ex Situ Bird Populations in Conservation Initiatives and Collection Planning

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