Splitting or Lumping? A Conservation Dilemma Exemplified by the Critically Endangered Dama Gazelle (Nanger dama)

Senn, Helen; Banfield, Lisa; Wacher, Tim; Newby, John; Rabeil, Thomas; Kaden, Jennifer; Kitchener, Andrew C.; Abáigar, Teresa; Silva, Teresa Luísa; Maunder, Mike; Ogden, Rob

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0098693

Cited by 29 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…The results of recent molecular research on dama gazelle ( Nanger dama ) present a contrasting scenario. Senn et al () used mitochondrial sequencing to investigate genetic differences between a variable number of subspecies described across a cline in dorsal coloration. Because dama gazelles are critically endangered (IUCN, ), and captive animals undoubtedly represent assurance populations for this species, accurate taxonomic classification is important for appropriately structuring cooperative breeding programs.…”

Section: Case Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Because dama gazelles are critically endangered (IUCN, ), and captive animals undoubtedly represent assurance populations for this species, accurate taxonomic classification is important for appropriately structuring cooperative breeding programs. After finding no genetic support for three putative subspecies, Senn et al () concluded that captive populations should be managed as a single taxonomic unit, in spite of coloration differences, to maximally maintain genetic diversity.…”

Section: Case Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Use of molecular data in zoo and aquarium collection management: Benefits, challenges, and best practices

2018

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The global zoo and aquarium community widely recognizes that its animal collections and cooperative breeding programs are facing a sustainability crisis. It has become commonly accepted that numerous priority species cannot be maintained unless new management strategies are adopted. While molecular data have the potential to greatly improve management across a range of scenarios, they have been generally underutilized by the zoo and aquarium community. This failure to effectively apply molecular data to collection management has been due, in part, to a paucity of resources within the community on which to base informed decisions about when the use of such data is appropriate and what steps are necessary to successfully integrate data into management. Here, we identify three broad areas of inquiry where molecular data can inform management: 1) taxonomic identification; 2) incomplete or unknown pedigrees; and 3) hereditary disease. Across these topics, we offer a discussion of the advantages, limitations, and considerations for applying molecular data to ex situ animal populations in a style accessible to zoo and aquarium professionals. Ultimately, we intend for this compiled information to serve as a resource for the community to help ensure that molecular projects directly and effectively benefit the long-term persistence of ex situ populations.

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Section: Case Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Case Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of molecular data in zoo and aquarium collection management: Benefits, challenges, and best practices

2018

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“…The Mhorr gazelle is one of three subspecies of dama gazelles N. dama (Pallas, 1766; Senn et al, ), all deemed to be critically endangered (IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Only 10 individuals, taken into captivity in the Experimental Station of Arid Zones of Almeria in Spain in 1971, have survived (Bel Haj Kacem et al, ). One male and three female were the founders of the world captive population (Senn et al, ). The actual number of captive Mhorr gazelles is 293 (119 males and 174 females) in addition to 309 (146 males and 163 females) captive red‐necked gazelle ( Nanger dama ruficollis ; RZSS 1 IUCN Antelope Specialist Group, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temporal patterns in natality and mortality of three threatened antelope species in North Africa: Oryx dammah, Addax nasomaculatus and Nanger dama

et al. 2019

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Long‐term population studies on large mammals are rare. Here, we have examined the threatened scimitar‐horned oryx, addax and dama gazelle's populations over the last 20 years in Bou Hedma National Park. Using monthly count data of the three studied species collected since 1995, we examined their population trends. Using autocorrelation analyses, we discovered endogenous natural cyclical fluctuations in the numbers of each species, with a periodicity of approximately 3 years. For all three studied species which seem to be opportunistic breeders, births and deaths occurred throughout the year, although with notable seasonality. By means of cross‐correlation, we discovered that during the first 7 years for which data were available, addax numbers were positively correlated with those of dama and inversely correlated with numbers of oryx. This pattern reversed during the following 4‐year period. The number of oryx was negatively correlated with dama during the first 4 years and then became positively correlated during the subsequent 7‐year period. Thus, we draw attention to difference in response to environmental and anthropogenic factors. Incorporating fundamental long‐term population data into developing management approaches, especially for potentially competitive species, is vital for their future long‐term survival and the success of conservation actions.

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“…Managers need to consider the taxonomic relationship of a species when designing conservation and management programs. Excessive splitting of species based on the phylogenetic species concept has become common practice within mammal taxonomy and can have profound effects on conservation programs (Senn, Banfield, Wacher, Newby, & Rabeil, 2014; Zachos et al, 2013). Though we used a single mitochondrial locus, our data suggest that C. t. taurinus are different enough from the other subspecies of C. taurinus to easily distinguish subspecific lineages.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Subspecific identity and a comparison of genetic diversity between wild and ex situ wildebeest

et al. 2020

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The original North American ex situ wildebeest population was believed to originate from the white‐bearded wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus albojubatus), which is both morphologically distinct and geographically separated from the brindled wildebeest (C. t. taurinus). However, after an import of wildebeest into North America in 2001, managers have suspected that white‐bearded and brindled wildebeest were mixed in herds at multiple institutions. We sequenced the mitochondrial control region (d‐loop) from a portion of the managed North American population and compared our sequences with previously published sequences from wild individuals to determine the subspecific identity and genetic diversity of our ex situ population. We were able to confidently identify C. t. albojubatus as the subspecies identity of the sampled portion of our population. Within our population, haplotype and nucleotide diversity were low (0.169 and 0.001, respectively) with a single common haplotype (H1) containing 41 of the 45 individuals sequenced, while two rare haplotypes (H2 and H3) were derived from three individuals and a single individual, respectively. Nucleotide and haplotype diversity were greater overall in the wild populations compared with our managed population. However, C. t. albojubatus was found to exhibit lower nucleotide diversity in both wild and ex situ populations when compared to other wild subspecies. Though the overall goal of the North American wildebeest population is for public education and not reintroduction, maintaining genetic diversity is vital for the long‐term viability of this managed population, which may benefit from periodic supplementation of wild animals.

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Splitting or Lumping? A Conservation Dilemma Exemplified by the Critically Endangered Dama Gazelle (Nanger dama)

Cited by 29 publications

References 61 publications

Use of molecular data in zoo and aquarium collection management: Benefits, challenges, and best practices

Use of molecular data in zoo and aquarium collection management: Benefits, challenges, and best practices

Temporal patterns in natality and mortality of three threatened antelope species in North Africa: Oryx dammah, Addax nasomaculatus and Nanger dama

Subspecific identity and a comparison of genetic diversity between wild and ex situ wildebeest

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