Evaluation of the genetic management of the endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes)
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.10089.abs Empirical support for the genetic management strategies employed by captive breeding and reintroduction programs is scarce. We evaluated the genetic management plan for the highly endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) developed by the American Zoo and Aquarium Associations (AZA) as a part of the species survival plan (SSP). We contrasted data collected from […]
Modeling problems in conservation genetics using captive Drosophila populations: Rapid genetic adaptation to captivity
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1430110505.abs Long-term captive breeding programs for endangered species generally aim to preserve the option of release back into the wild. However, the success of re-release programs will be jeopardized if there is significant genetic adaptation to the captive environment. Since it is difficult to study this problem in rare and endangered species, a convenient […]
Wildlife conservation and animal temperament- causes and consequences of evolutionary change for captive, reintroduced, and wild populations
We argue that animal temperament is an important concept for wildlife conservation science and review causes and consequences of evolutionary changes in temperament traits that may occur in captive-breeding programmes. An evolutionary perspective is valid because temperament traits are heritable, linked to fitness and potentially subject to intense selection in captivity. Natural, sexual and artificial […]