Genetic assessment of the Arabian oryx founder population in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, UAE: an example of evaluating unmanaged captive stocks for reintroduction

Abstract

Since being declared extinct in the wild in 1972, the Arabian oryx has been the subject of intense and sustained effort to maintain a healthy captive population and to reintroduce the species to its ancestral range. Previous reintroductions and associated genetic assessments focused on the release of closely managed zoo animals into Oman and included observations of inbreeding and outbreeding depression. Here we describe the use of multiple unmanaged herds as source populations for a new reintroduction project in the United Arab Emirates, allowing a comparison between studbook management and uncontrolled semi-captive breeding approaches to the conservation of genetic diversity. Results of mitochondrial control region sequencing and 13-locus microsatellite profiling highlight a severe lack of diversity within individual source populations, but a level of differentiation among populations that supports the formation of a mixed founder herd. The combined release group contained a similar level of diversity to each of the intensively managed captive populations. The research includes the first genetic data for animals held on Sir Bani Yas Island, a former private reserve which until recently held over 50% of the world's Arabian and scimitar-horned oryx and is recognized as having huge potential for re-establishing endangered antelope species in the wild. The genetic assessment provides the first stage of an ongoing genetic monitoring programme to support future supplemental releases, translocations and genetic management of reintroduced populations.

Chromosomal‐level genome assembly of the scimitar‐horned oryx: Insights into diversity and demography of a species extinct in the wild

“…However, this comparison is based on estimates from a small number of individuals and therefore may not be a true reflection of the overall variation in genetic diversity. Nevertheless, this pattern is consistent with studies both in SHO and Arabian oryx ( Oryx leucoryx ) that found diversity to be lower in unmanaged populations than in studbook managed populations (El Alqamy, Senn, Roberts, McEwing, & Ogden, 2012) and suggests that captive breeding programmes have been successful at maintaining genetic diversity. We also observed variation in the genetic diversity of individual chromosomes, a pattern which has been demonstrated across a wide variety of taxa (Doniger et al., 2008; Nordborg et al., 2005; The International SNP Map Working Group, 2001).…”

Comparative genetic diversity in a sample of pony breeds from the U.K. and North America: a case study in the conservation of global genetic resources

“…; El Alqamy et al. ). For domestic livestock species, approximately 1080 breeds exist as “transboundary” populations, located internationally (DAD‐IS, ).…”

“…Establishing secondary ex situ populations to protect genetic resources is a common management tool in the conservation of a range of species (Fraser 2008 ; Ozer et al 2011 ; Ransler et al 2011 ; El Alqamy et al 2012 ). For domestic livestock species, approximately 1080 breeds exist as “transboundary” populations, located internationally (DAD-IS, 2006 ).…”

‘Intentional Genetic Manipulation’ as a conservation threat

“…Iyengar et al 2007). A private reserve of scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah Cretzschmar, 1827) in the United Arab Emirates has recently been evaluated for its genetic importance to the whole species (El Alqamy et al 2012). Population viability analysis can be coupled with monitoring to help model, understand and predict the future consequences of different management strategies (Pierson et al 2015).…”