Hereditary defects and conservation genetic management of captive populations
Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1999)18:23.3.CO;2-U The occurrence of hereditary disorders in conservation breeding programs may severely hamper the overall aim of such programs. The obstacles that arise in this context and the particular management strategies needed to deal with the problems are yet to be adequately addressed. Results from a literature review indicate that hereditary disorders may be […]
Captive breeding of cheetahs in North American Zoos: 1987–1991
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1430120104.abs From 1987 to 1991, the North American captive cheetah population increased by 38% (to 266 animals), due to importation and captive breeding. This population constitutes 26% of the world’s captive cheetahs and 36% of all reproductively successful animals. Since 1956, 33% of all cubs born in North America occurred during this 5-year period. […]
Comparison of an exact and a simulation method for calculating gene extinction probabilities in pedigrees
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1430090402.abs A comparison is made between a much used simulation method, commonly called gene dropping, and the exact computational technique of peeling. These methods are illustrated using the problem of finding the distribution of the number of distinct ancestral genes surviving at an autosomal locus. Each method is used on several real zoo pedigrees, […]
Gene survival in the Asian wild horse (Equus przewalskii): II. Gene survival in the whole population, in subgroups, and through history
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1430080402.abs In populations with a known pedigree, exact joint probability distributions of numbers of surviving of genes from each founder can now be calculated for moderately large complex pedigrees (1,000–2,000 individuals and much inbreeding). The usefulness of such calculations is shown by our analysis of gene survival in the Asian wild horse (Equus przewalskii), […]
Analysis of founder representation in pedigrees: Founder equivalents and founder genome equivalents
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1430080203.abs The concepts of “founder equivalent” and “founder genome equivalent” are introduced to facilitate analysis of the founding stocks of captive or other populations for which pedigrees are available. The founder equivalents of a population are the number of equally contributing founders that would be expected to produce the same genetic diversity as in […]
Captive breeding of the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) in North American zoos (1871–1986)
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1430080103.abs The African cheetah has been bred in North American zoological facilities since 1956. The captive population has since grown to around 200 animals because of a combined increase in importation plus captive births. From 1982 to 1986, the captive birth rate declined by 50%, primarily because of a low frequency of breeding individuals […]
Genetic structure analysis of a highly inbred captive population of the African antelope Addax nasomaculatus. Conservation and management implications
Abstract The African antelope Addax nasomaculatus is a rare mammal at high risk of extinction, with no more than 300 individuals in the wild and 1,700 captive animals distributed in zoos around the world. In this work, we combine genetic data and genealogical information to assess the structure and genetic diversity of a captive population […]
Do dog owners perceive the clinical signs related to conformational inherited disorders as ‘normal’ for the breed? A potential constraint to improving canine welfare
Selection for brachycephalic (foreshortened muzzle) phenotypes in dogs is a major risk factor for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). Clinical signs include respiratory distress, exercise intolerance, upper respiratory noise and collapse. Efforts to combat BOAS may be constrained by a perception that it is ‘normal’ in brachycephalic dogs. This study aimed to quantify owner-perception of […]
Contrasting results from molecular and pedigree-based population diversity measures in captive zebra highlight challenges facing genetic management of zoo populations
Zoo conservation breeding programs manage the retention of population genetic diversity through analysis of pedigree records. The range of demographic and genetic indices determined through pedigree analysis programs allows the conservation of diversity to be monitored relative to the particular founder population for a species. Such approaches are based on a number of well-documented founder […]