Molecular Genetics Unveiled Unknown Family Relationships and Hybrids in an Ex-Situ Colony of African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus)

Modesto, Paola; Biolatti, Cristina; Favaro, Livio; Colussi, Silvia; Peletto, Simone; Piga, Sara; Riina, Maria Vittoria; Pessani, Daniela; Trincas, Egle; Isaja, Valentina; Acutis, Pier Luigi

doi:10.1093/jhered/esy032

Cited by 9 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…The later factor is of utmost importance, as it may mean that some penguins can carry a hybrid gene. Due to a historical fact of a cross-breeding between two different species—African Penguin Spheniscus demersus and Humboldt Penguin Spheniscus humboldti —and a lack of precise pedigree data for all individuals, only birds with a 100% known and hybrid-free pedigree can be bred in EAZA institutions 15 , 16 , 27 , 32 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Breeding behavior analysis in a large captive colony of African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) and its implications for population management and conservation

Borecki,

Rosenberger,

Mucha

et al. 2024

Sci Rep

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The African penguin Spheniscus demersus, frequently housed in zoos, holds potential for future reintroduction efforts due to its declining wild population. This paper aims to explore various aspects of reproductive performance in African penguins within a large ex situ colony at Zoo Wrocław in Poland, covering 9 years of breeding behaviors. The analysis reveals parallels in colony growth and partner change patterns with those observed in the wild. Positive correlations were found between breeding success and pair-bond duration, with the increasing colony size influencing reproductive performance. Contrary to their wild counterparts, captive African penguins initiate breeding attempt and produce a fertilized egg at a younger age. However, successful breeding still requires gaining experience or forming pairs with more experienced partners. Our research indicates that providing captive African penguins with unlimited food resources and sufficient nesting space results in rapid colony growth. The increased colony size facilitates breeding behaviors that positively influence population dynamics, particularly through the maintenance of long-term pair bond relationships and the potential for partner changes when necessary or desirable to enhance breeding success. We present compelling case studies in pair fidelity, offering valuable insights and implications for the management of captive populations and conservation efforts.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…African penguins are known to mate for life, and the majority of them do so 2 , 18 , 28 , 34 , 35 . However, there are documented cases of partner switching 26 , 27 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Breeding behavior analysis in a large captive colony of African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) and its implications for population management and conservation

Borecki,

Rosenberger,

Mucha

et al. 2024

Sci Rep

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“…The concerns associated with the use of studbooks have prompted the incorporation of molecular techniques to supplement, or even replace, traditional studbooks (Sekino et al 2003 ; Ivy et al 2016 ; Modesto et al 2018 ). Unique genetic information is often acquired by genotyping individuals at microsatellite loci; markers that vary in the number of repeat units (length-based fragment analysis).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic management on the brink of extinction: sequencing microsatellites does not improve estimates of inbreeding in wild and captive Vancouver Island marmots (Marmota vancouverensis)

et al. 2022

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Captive breeding is often a last resort management option in the conservation of endangered species which can in turn lead to increased risk of inbreeding depression and loss of genetic diversity. Thus, recording breeding events via studbook for the purpose of estimating relatedness, and facilitating mating pair selection to minimize inbreeding, is common practice. However, as founder relatedness is often unknown, loss of genetic variation and inbreeding cannot be entirely avoided. Molecular genotyping is slowly being adopted in captive breeding programs, however achieving sufficient resolution can be challenging in small, low diversity, populations. Here, we evaluate the success of the Vancouver Island marmot (Marmota vancouverensis; VIM; among the worlds most endangered mammals) captive breeding program in preventing inbreeding and maintaining genetic diversity. We explored the use of high-throughput amplicon sequencing of microsatellite regions to assay greater genetic variation in both captive and wild populations than traditional length-based fragment analysis. Contrary to other studies, this method did not considerably increase diversity estimates, suggesting: (1) that the technique does not universally improve resolution, and (2) VIM have exceedingly low diversity. Studbook estimates of pairwise relatedness and inbreeding in the current population were weakly, but positively, correlated to molecular estimates. Thus, current studbooks are moderately effective at predicting genetic similarity when founder relatedness is known. Finally, we found that captive and wild populations did not differ in allelic frequencies, and conservation efforts to maintain diversity have been successful with no significant decrease in diversity over the last three generations.

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“…As such, pedigree reconstructions may provide the best estimates of inter‐individual relationships within a population (Pemberton 2008). Pedigrees reconstructed using molecular markers enable managers to infer parentage with greater accuracy than by behavioral observations alone (Pemberton 2008, Modesto 2018). Indeed, molecular pedigree reconstructions have greatly expanded our ability to infer important population process including identifying over‐represented individuals or lineages.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How much is enough? Sampling intensity influences estimates of reproductive variance in an introduced population

McLennan

Belov

Hogg

et al. 2021

Ecological Applications

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Conservation introductions to islands and fenced enclosures are increasing as in situ mitigations fail to keep pace with population declines. Few studies consider the potential loss of genetic diversity and increased inbreeding if released individuals breed disproportionately. As funding is limited and post‐release monitoring expensive for conservation programs, understanding how sampling effort influences estimates of reproductive variance is useful. To investigate this relationship, we used a well‐studied population of Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) introduced to Maria Island, Tasmania, Australia. Pedigree reconstruction based on molecular data revealed high variance in number of offspring per breeder and high proportions of unsuccessful individuals. Computational subsampling of 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% of observed offspring resulted in inaccurate estimates of reproductive variance compared to the pedigree reconstructed with all sampled individuals. With decreased sampling effort, the proportion of inferred unsuccessful individuals was overestimated and the variance in number of offspring per breeder was underestimated. To accurately estimate reproductive variance, we recommend sampling as many individuals as logistically possible during the early stages of population establishment. Further, we recommend careful selection of colonizing individuals as they may be disproportionately represented in subsequent generations. Within the conservation management context, our results highlight important considerations for sample collection and post‐release monitoring during population establishment.

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Molecular Genetics Unveiled Unknown Family Relationships and Hybrids in an Ex-Situ Colony of African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus)

Cited by 9 publications

References 45 publications

Breeding behavior analysis in a large captive colony of African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) and its implications for population management and conservation

Breeding behavior analysis in a large captive colony of African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) and its implications for population management and conservation

Genetic management on the brink of extinction: sequencing microsatellites does not improve estimates of inbreeding in wild and captive Vancouver Island marmots (Marmota vancouverensis)

How much is enough? Sampling intensity influences estimates of reproductive variance in an introduced population

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