A review of the reproductive biology and breeding management of tapirs

Abstract

Tapirs (Tapirus sp.) have been studied extensively in the wild, yet little is known about their fundamental reproductive biology, information that is critical to establishing self-sustaining populations in captivity as a hedge against extinction. This paper reviews information on the reproductive biology of the 4 species of tapirs: Baird's (Tapirus bairdii), lowland (T terrestris), mountain (T pinchaque) and Malayan (T indicus). Both sexes reach puberty between 14 and 48 months of age. Behaviorally, tapirs display few overt signs of estrus, and external signs of pregnancy are not evident until approximately 2 months before parturition. Immunoassay techniques to measure reproductive hormones in blood and urine have been validated for tapirs, which allow monitoring of ovarian cycle activity and pregnancy. Data indicate that females are polyestrous, with an estrous cycle length of approximately 30 days. The exception is the Malayan tapir, which exhibits 2 types of cycles: short (approximately 1 month) and long (approximately 2 months). Gestation length is approximately 13 months and females can conceive at the first post-partum cycle within 1 month after birth. Good quality ejaculates have been obtained via electroejaculation in the Baird's and Malayan tapir and the sperm from Baird's tapir cryopreserved using standard cryodiluents, although more work is needed to optimize these protocols. Given that all 4 species of tapir most likely will continue to be maintained in captivity, effective genetic management is vital for long-term survival. Optimization of assisted reproductive technologies, including sperm cryopreservation and artificial insemination, could benefit the genetic management of tapirs.

Comportamento de interação e vocalização do tapir centro-americano Tapirus bairdii de Talamanca, Costa Rica

“…Significant differences in call types and traits interspecies could respond to the different evolutionary histories among species of tapirs. Despite important advances in understanding phylogenetic relationships among the species of the Tapirus genus (Ruiz-Garcia et al, 2015), many uncertainties persist regarding phylogenetic affinities and taxonomic limits of the species, especially with the yet to confirm new species T. kabomani (Cozzuol et al, 2013;Ruiz-Garcia et al, 2015). The temporal and spectral parameters of the calls of many vertebrate groups are a useful character for species delimitation and evolutionary research (Margoliash and Hale, 2008).…”

“…Three of these species inhabit the Neotropics (Tapirus bairdii (Gill 1865), T. pinchaque (Roulin 1829), T. terrestris (Linnaeus 1758)) and one in Southeastern Asia (T. indicus Desmarest 1819) (Ruiz-Garcia et al, 2015). All extant species are currently considered to be vulnerable or endangered, mainly by hunting and habitat destruction (Naveda et al, 2008;García et al, 2016;Lizcano et al, 2016;Traeholt et al, 2016).…”

“…The knowledge of interaction behaviors in tapirs has been mainly recorded from captive animals (Hunsaker and Hahn, 1965;Lira-Torres et al, 2004;Tortato et al, 2007;Pukazhenthi et al, 2013), but with scarce information from wild individuals, especially for T. bairdii. Previous studies in Costa Rica have reported large overlap of their home range due to familiar units and attraction of food sources Vaughan, 2002, 2015).…”

On tapir ecology, evolution and conservation: what we know and future perspectives–part II

“…In this issue, Pukazhenthi et al (2013) dissect our current knowledge on both topics, and point the way forward. Knowledge about reproductive rates and mortality are essential for population viability analysis (PVA), as discussed in the previous issue (Medici & Desbiez 2012;McCann et al 2012).…”

Effects of selective logging on large mammal populations in a remote indigenous territory in the northern Peruvian Amazon

“…), and peccary (Pecari tajacu and Tayassu pecari) to urban markets. Thus, hunting promoted by timber operations may cause rapid declines in primate and tapir populations because these are mammals with slow reproductive rates (Pukazhenthi et al 2013, Bowler et al 2014). …”