Captive Breeding Management

Question 1

Define Allele

Answer 1

alternative form of a gene

Question 2

Define diversity

Answer 2

number of alleles per locus

Question 3

Define effective population size (Ne)

Answer 3

The size of a randomly mating population of
constant size with an equal sex ratio and a Poisson distribution of family
sizes that would result in the same rate of genetic drift as that observed in
the population under consideration. In its simplest form the Ne
is the
number of breeding adults in the population

Question 4

Define Gene diversity (expected heterozygosity)

Answer 4

the heterozygosity expected if a random mating population were in hardy- Weinberg equilibrium

Question 5

Define Genetic drift

Answer 5

Loss of alleles through random sampling of the population through Mendelian inheritance

Question 6

define natural selection

Answer 6

The differential fitness between members of a species
possessing adaptive characteristics, and those without adaptive
characteristics

Question 7

What is a Studbook?

Answer 7

Entire (captive) history of a population or species
includes:
- Major life history (birth, death…)
- Individual identifiers (ear tags/ microchips)
- Parentage (pedigree to founder)

Question 8

Who keeps SB?

Answer 8

• World Association of Zoos & Aquaria
• International studbooks
• Regional zoo& aquaria associations (European (EAZA)), American, Australian..)
• Research institutions

Question 9

Studbook Keeper reports to who?

Answer 9

EAZA Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) or WAA Conservation Coordination

Question 10

What is the role of a SB keeper?

Answer 10

• Data compiled automatically by species360
• Collate additional data from non-member oos
  -ZIMS module
• Publish to studbook

Question 11

How are SBs used?

Answer 11

• Population management (EEP)
• Identification of problem
  -Research

Question 12

What tools for SB keeper?

Answer 12

• ZIMS (zoo info management system)
• Word
• Communication tools

Question 13

What is an EEP?

Answer 13

• European Ex-Situ Programme
• Intensive population management within a region

Question 14

What is the role of an EEP coordinator ?

Answer 14

1. Maximise genetic diversity (heterozygosity & allelic diversity)
   - Equalise founder representation
   - Minimise inbreeding, genetic drift & adaptation to captivity
2. Maintain demographic stability
3. Provide animals for reintroduction, if appropriate -> breeding recommendations

Question 15

What are the stages of captive breeding ?

Answer 15

• Founding phase
• Growth phase
• Capacity or maintenance phase

Question 16

ONCE CAPACITY HAS BEEN REACHED …?

Answer 16

RETINTRODUCTION MAY BECOME AN OPTIONS

Question 17

What happens genetically to adapt to captivity

Answer 17

• Selection will eliminate alleles that are maladaptive in the captive environment (antelope flight response)

STRONG selection pressure

Question 18

What will result from drift?

Answer 18

Cumulative loss of both adaptive and maladaptive alleles

Question 19

What happens in Founder phase of captive propagation?

Answer 19

• Acquire representation of wild populations when numbers are still in thousands
• But catchups occur when population v small

Recommendation: >20 unrelated founders

Question 20

What reality of founder phase

Answer 20

Catchups from limited area,s few founders, not all wild-caught animals have reproduced => loss of genetic diversity

Question 21

Describe the growth phase of captive propagation

Answer 21

• Minimising loss of founder alleles if all founders contribute equal number of offspring
• 7-12 offspring needed to ensure 99% chance that all founder allles retained
• SHould fill all spaces asap (in 1 generation)

Question 22

What is the reality of growth phase?

Answer 22

all founders do not produce equal progeny, not
enough offspring per founder, growth may be slow =>
loss of founder alleles & genetic diversity

Question 23

Describe the capacity phase of captive ropagation

Answer 23

• Imbamance in founder representation can be rectified
• Priority for breeding given to animals that are most likely to have rare alleles
  -Minimum Ne should be above 50 short term & 1000-5000 long term

Question 24

Reality of capacity phase ?

Answer 24

Addressing founder imbalance require co-operations of zoos, Ne<1000 for all programmes

Question 25

What are some challenges with demographic management ?

Answer 25

- Growth exceeds capacity - Unequal male:female ratio - Mortality - Unstable age distribution - Variable or negative growth raes

Question 26

What tools to manage captive population

Answer 26

ZIMS & MNx (population management x)

Question 27

Describe PMx software

Answer 27

- Uses pedigree data to quantify relatedness within a population & estimate GD loss - Model the effects of various mating choices - Mean kinship & inbreeding coefficients

Question 28

When we set goals on PMX what is default?

Answer 28

90% GD for 100 yrs but each EEP should set a goal that is realistic for that population

Question 29

What two optiosn do we have in reproductive planning?

Answer 29

- How many spaces are there in EEP institutions? - How many individuals do you need to meet goals?

Question 30

What will PMx tell you ?

Answer 30

How many litters needed, how many breeding pairs and how many births needed

Question 31

What is the average kinship?

Answer 31

Relatedness of an individual with all individuals in the population, including itself

Question 32

What is range of inbreeding coefficient (F) ?

Answer 32

from 0.00 to 1.00 (2 siblinds= 0.25 F

Question 33

How do we make our breeding recommendations?

Answer 33

Choose matings between animals of equal and low mean kinship

Question 34

What is the reality for breeding recommendations ?

Answer 34

- social considerations - Logistics - Legislation - Animal bhvr -Permits - Politics - Animal health - Co-operation - Facilities & carrying capacity - Appearance - Cost