genetic management in captivity

why captive breed

• terrestrial vertebrates: 4000-6000 will requires captive breeding over the next 200 years

• ~900 vulnerable species being bred in captivity

• zoos

  • ssp

  • studbooks

roles of captive breeding

• provide demographic and genetic support for wild populations

• establish sources for founding new populations in the wild

• prevent extinction of species that have no immediate change of survival in the wild

different genetic objectives

• provide demographic & genetic support for wild populations

  • captive individuals should match genetics and environment

• establish sources for founding new populations in the wild

  • lots of genetic diversity so they can adapt

• prevent extinction of species that have no immediate change of survival in the wild

  • ensure species can be maintained in captivity

  • preference for individuals that can reproduce in captivity

  • could result in selection

source population conservation goals

• maximize number of surviving subspecies

• maximize genetic variation at species level

• maximize genetic diversity at subspecies level

captive breeding stages

• recognize decline of the wild population

• found 1+ captive populations

  • at least 20-30 contributing founder

  • start before wild pop is <1000

• expand captive population to a secure size

  • priority: rapid population growth

• manage captive population over generations (maintenance phase)

• choose individuals for reintroduction

• manage reintroduced population in the wild

maintenance phase

• inbreeding and inbreeding depression

• reduce genetic drift

  • minimize # generations in captivity

  • maximize N_e : N_c ratio

• genetic drift a bigger concern than inbreeding