Skinks in Zoos: A global approach on distribution patterns of threatened Scincidae in zoological institutions

Wahle, Anna; Rödder, Dennis; Chapple, David G.; Meiri, Shai; Rauhaus, Anna; Ziegler, Thomas

doi:10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01800

Cited by 5 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…This dataset included, for each species, the number of individuals kept (male, female, other), number of holding institutions, the continental regions (as defined by Species360) in which these institutions resided (Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Oceania), the number of individuals held in each of these regions and the number of births globally in the last 12 months. Species were allocated to global captive population size categories (N < 10, 11-50, 51-100, 101-200, 201-1000, > 1000), following Wahle et al (2021). The native presence of each species in each of the continental regions was recorded by comparison with the range data according to the IUCN Red List (IUCN, 2022) and the Reptile Database for each species.…”

Section: Zoo Holding and Geographic Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Zoos are almost unique in their capacity to use ex-situ approaches to contribute to conservation goals, through engaging with the public to raise funds and awareness, holding so-called Ark populations, breeding for conservation translocation, acting as rehabilitation centres for injured wild animals, using captive population research species biology and to trial field methods under controlled conditions. However, zoos can struggle to strike the (albeit difficult) balance between the animal husbandry requirements, impacts on visitor appeal, distribution relative to the location of a given zoo, and threat status of focal groups of ectothermic vertebrates to align collection plans with global conservation needs (Tapley et al, 2015;Dawson et al, 2016;Harding et al, 2016;Biega et al, 2017;Biega & Martin, 2018;Jacken et al, 2020;Wahle et al, 2021).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Global and regional patterns in distribution and threat status of zoo collections of turtles and tortoises

Ahmed,

Tapley,

Michaels

2024

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Turtles are a globally threatened group of reptiles. Zoo populations may contribute to the conservation of species, including turtles, but collection composition may not align with conservation needs. We combined data from the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS), EDGE of Existence, the IUCN Red List and the Reptile Database to investigate zoo turtle holdings on global and regional scales. Globally, zoo collections were representative of turtle diversity, regional species distributions and threat statuses, indicating no bias towards threatened species and no taxonomic or distribution blind spots. Species kept in zoos had significantly lower EDGE scores than those not represented, and threatened species were no more likely to have been bred in the year prior to data collection (before March 2022) or have non-viable populations, but were more likely to have a larger population size. Although Africa, Asia and South America have the smallest turtle holdings in terms of species, allowing for regional capacity, these regions hold more, while Europe holds fewer than expected turtle species – North American and Asian holdings do not differ from expected. African, Asian, North and South American regions significantly bias their collections towards native species. We found evidence for significant increases in turtle populations at the genus level following the EAZA Shellshock campaign in Europe. ZIMS data are limited by taxonomy, membership and accuracy of records but provide the best window into patterns of zoo turtle collections. While holding a species in a zoo does not equate to conservation value, based on these data, we recommend that conservation prioritisation exercises are developed for all turtle species, holding institutions or regional taxonomic advisory address population viability and support for institutions working with significant turtle populations in captivity to join ZIMS is provided. Keywords: chelonia, ex-situ, zoos, conservation, ZIMS

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Section: Zoo Holding and Geographic Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

Global and regional patterns in distribution and threat status of zoo collections of turtles and tortoises

Ahmed,

Tapley,

Michaels

2024

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“…In total, eleven endemic species are classified as Critically Endangered, thus facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild, but which are not yet kept ex situ (Table 8 ). To obtain a stable conservation breeding network, we strongly recommend increased efforts to better distribute species among institutions, to prevent the loss of a given species due to unforeseen local events such as disease outbreak, accidents, natural disasters or technical failures (see also Jacken et al, 2020 ; Wahle et al, 2021 ).…”

Section: Ztl Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Review of threatened Malagasy freshwater fishes in zoos and aquaria: The necessity of an ex situ conservation network—A call for action

et al. 2021

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Madagascar's biota is characterized by an extraordinary species richness, with a high degree of endemism. The island's freshwater habitats harbor numerous micro‐endemic species, restricted to particular regions and thus particularly at risk of extinction, due to deforestation, overfishing, and introduction of exotic species. The present study investigates for which threatened Malagasy freshwater fish species ex situ populations have already been established, as a baseline to prioritize actions to develop an effective ex situ conservation breeding network. Populations in zoos and aquaria were primarily determined using the Zoological Information System. Of 173 fish species recorded from Malagasy freshwater habitats, 123 exclusively inhabit freshwater; 79 of these are endemic to Madagascar, and 50 are classified as threatened. Our survey found 21 Malagasy freshwater fish species kept in zoos worldwide, of which 19 are endemic and threatened (22 if counting species kept by private breeders). Nine of the 19 Malagasy freshwater fish species kept in zoos have successfully reproduced within the 12 months preceding our survey. The ex situ conservation activities for threatened Malagasy freshwater fishes thus have not improved significantly since the strong start in the early 2000s. More than half of the 50 threatened endemic Malagasy freshwater fish species (viz. 31 species) are not kept ex situ, including 11 species ranked as Critically Endangered. Based on these findings we call for a better distribution of offspring among institutions, including private breeders in the framework of citizen conservation initiatives; a closer connection of ichthyological field research in Madagascar with conservation breeding efforts to set up ex situ populations—both in Madagascar and abroad—of species not yet kept in captivity; and the development of effective, integrated in situ and ex situ conservation strategies.

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“…However, an often-overlooked contribution of zoos is filling important gaps in knowledge of species natural history and behavior that would be difficult to obtain in the field, especially for particularly rare or cryptic species. Skink (Scincidae) species have been highlighted as a Family where zoos can play a key role in their conservation, especially those species that are highly threatened (Wahle et al, 2021). The Bermuda skink (Plestiodon longirostris, Cope 1861) is the only extant terrestrial vertebrate endemic to the Islands of Bermuda (Davenport et al, 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Skink (Scincidae) species have been highlighted as a Family where zoos can play a key role in their conservation, especially those species that are highly threatened (Wahle et al, 2021). The Bermuda skink ( Plestiodon longirostris , Cope 1861) is the only extant terrestrial vertebrate endemic to the Islands of Bermuda (Davenport et al, 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Activity patterns and reproductive behavior of the Critically Endangered Bermuda skink (Plestiodon longirostris)

et al. 2022

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The study of rare or cryptic species in zoos can provide insights into natural history and behavior that would be difficult to obtain in the field. Such information can then be used to refine population assessment protocols and conservation management.The Bermuda skink (Plestiodon longirostris) is an endemic Critically Endangered lizard. Chester Zoo's successful conservation breeding program is working to safeguard, increase and reinforce skink populations in the wild. A key aim of this program is to develop our understanding of the behavior of this species. In this study, using 24 h video recordings, we examined the daily activity patterns, basking behavior and

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Skinks in Zoos: A global approach on distribution patterns of threatened Scincidae in zoological institutions

Cited by 5 publications

References 23 publications

Global and regional patterns in distribution and threat status of zoo collections of turtles and tortoises

Global and regional patterns in distribution and threat status of zoo collections of turtles and tortoises

Review of threatened Malagasy freshwater fishes in zoos and aquaria: The necessity of an ex situ conservation network—A call for action

Activity patterns and reproductive behavior of the Critically Endangered Bermuda skink (Plestiodon longirostris)

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