The Black-Footed Ferret: On the Brink of Recovery?

Santymire, Rachel M.; Livieri, Travis M.; Branvold‐Faber, Heather; Marinari, Paul E.

doi:10.1007/978-1-4939-0820-2_7

Cited by 41 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…2 Studies aimed at the classification of reproductive and genetic characteristics of the species have been of importance in species survival, and more than 8,000 black-footed ferrets have been born in captivity. 13 Currently identified medical conditions with implications for management of captive black-footed ferrets include coccidiosis, infection with Clostridium spp., salmonellosis, renal disease, canine distemper virus, dental disease, sylvatic plague, and neoplasia. 2,9 Previously described cases of gastric distention in weanling blackfooted ferrets have been associated with Clostridium perfringens Type A; 14 however, there are limited reports of a bloat-like syndrome in adult black-footed ferrets and domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius).…”

Section: Brief Communicationmentioning

confidence: 99%

FATAL GASTRIC DILATION IN TWO ADULT BLACK-FOOTED FERRETS (MUSTELA NIGRIPES)

Hinton¹,

Aitken‐Palmer²,

Joyner³

et al. 2016

Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine

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Acute gastric dilation resulting in death was identified in two adult black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) housed at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia. Both individuals were adult males (3 and 5 yr) and previously clinically healthy prior to the event. The etiology of gastric dilation in both cases could not be definitively determined, and necropsy revealed severe cardiovascular compromise secondary to bloat. Limited literature is available regarding a syndrome of this type in adult black-footed ferrets. Differential diagnoses considered included gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV), severe gastric distention of unknown origin, and gastric outflow obstruction. Given the severity of this syndrome and the findings in these two cases, acute gastric dilation should be considered in black-footed ferrets presenting with acute abdominal distention, respiratory distress, and cardiovascular compromise.

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Section: Brief Communicationmentioning

confidence: 99%

FATAL GASTRIC DILATION IN TWO ADULT BLACK-FOOTED FERRETS (MUSTELA NIGRIPES)

Hinton¹,

Aitken‐Palmer²,

Joyner³

et al. 2016

Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine

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“…Despite ongoing success in the ex situ population, indications of inbreeding, inbreeding depression, and domestication are present. According to the Black-footed Ferret Species Survival Plan ( Garelle et al 2013 ), there has been a decrease in whelping rates in females and normal sperm in males ( Wolf et al 2000 ; Santymire et al 2006 , 2007 , 2014a , 2014b ) and changes in both male and female fecundity ( Santymire et al 2014a ,b). In other carnivoran species, these traits have been linked to inbreeding depression, e.g., in lions, Panthera leo , ( Munson et al 1996 ; Wildt et al 1987 ); cheetahs, Acinonyx jubatus , ( Wildt et al 1983 ; O’Brien et al 1985 ); and Florida panthers ( Roelke et al 1993 ; Barone et al 1994 ).…”

Section: Conservation Genetics Of the Black-footed Ferretmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Road Map for 21st Century Genetic Restoration: Gene Pool Enrichment of the Black-Footed Ferret

Ryder

Santymire

Engelhardt

et al. 2015

JHERED

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Interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer (iSCNT) could benefit recovery programs of critically endangered species but must be weighed with the risks of failure. To weigh the risks and benefits, a decision-making process that evaluates progress is needed. Experiments that evaluate the efficiency and efficacy of blastocyst, fetal, and post-parturition development are necessary to determine the success or failure or species-specific iSCNT programs. Here, we use the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) as a case study for evaluating this emerging biomedical technology as a tool for genetic restoration. The black-footed ferret has depleted genetic variation yet genome resource banks contain genetic material of individuals not currently represented in the extant lineage. Thus, genetic restoration of the species is in theory possible and could help reduce the persistent erosion of genetic diversity from drift. Extensive genetic, genomic, and reproductive science tools have previously been developed in black-footed ferrets and would aid in the process of developing an iSCNT protocol for this species. Nonetheless, developing reproductive cloning will require years of experiments and a coordinated effort among recovery partners. The information gained from a well-planned research effort with the goal of genetic restoration via reproductive cloning could establish a 21st century model for evaluating and implementing conservation breeding that would be applicable to other genetically impoverished species.

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“…The low fecundity in the ferret ex situ population may also be attributed to a recent diet change from the original Sybille 60/40 (mink chow, rabbit meat) rabbit meat-based diet [11] to a commercially available horsemeat-based diet, Toronto Small Carnivore Diet (TOR; Milliken Meat Products Ltd., Markham, Ontario, Canada) [12,13]. Diets high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as TOR, require increased levels of vitamin E [11] to prevent nutritional steatitis (yellow fat disease) as observed in the domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%