Genomic Population Management
Genomic population management is important to the success of conservation breeding programs. C2S2 members like Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) and African Lion Safari (ALS) use this technology to meet conservation breeding goals of creating and managing healthy, sustainable populations. The ultimate goal of utilizing genomics is to reintroduce animals to their natural habitats.
Genomics improves conservation breeding by:
Genomics improves conservation breeding by:
- Identifying historic lineages and estimating relatedness
- Providing details on ideal mating pairs (to avoid inbreeding and promote species robustness)
- Identifying genes that improve fitness (to ensure high fertility or resistance to disease)
- Selecting individuals most likely to adapt and survive the rigors of reintroduction to the wild
|
Genomic population management is a key component of C2S2’s efforts with each of our target species, including the cheetah, scimitar-horned oryx, and loggerhead shrike. In addition to ensuring genetically viable populations at member facilities, this revolutionary technology is being used in the field to examine animals in their natural habitats and will help answer academic questions relating to future conservation initiatives.
|
Bioscience Publication
|
C2S2’s Source Population Alliance was featured as the October 2019 cover story of BioScience. This article entitled “Breeding Centers, Private Ranches, and Genomics for Creating Sustainable Wildlife Populations,” was written by C2S2 founder and former Senior Scientist Emeritus at SCBI, Dr. David E. Wildt. It reflects the contributions of C2S2 Conservation Centers African Lion Safari, Austin Savanna, Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI), White Oak Conservation, and The Wilds.
The study, a culmination of nearly five years’ work, demonstrates a viable new model that ensures genetic diversity and long-term species survival, helping reverse the trend in which many of the world’s wild ungulate populations are collapsing. The new model applies cutting-edge genomics to the Source Population Alliance – a collaboration between large breeding centers and privately-owned ranches that gives animals the necessary space to thrive – to prevent inbreeding, reduced fitness, and ultimately the disappearance of species. |
This novel and highly effective solution produces sustainable populations and improves herd management. This is achieved by estimating genetic diversity, inbreeding status, lineage integrity, ancestry, and kinship. To date, SCBI and partners have generated reference genomes and additional whole genome resources for the sable antelope, dama gazelle, and scimitar-horned oryx.
