Supportive Breeding and Variance Effective Population Size

The practice of supporting weak, wild populations through release of individuals bred in captivity is becoming an increasingly important conservation measure. A frequently recommended form of such breeding-release activity refers to supportive breeding: a fraction of the target population is brought into captivity for reproduction, and the resulting progeny are released to mix with the wild segment of the population. We derived an expression for the variance effective size of a population managed through supportive breeding and discuss its relationship to previously published equations that are based on the assumption of random mating. We show that the effect of supportive breeding may be quite different on the inbreeding and the variance effective sizes. Whereas supportive breeding always results in a reduction of the inbreeding effective number, the variance effective number may either decrease, increase, or remain unchanged. We discuss these observations in relation to conservation management and suggest some general guidelines for supportive breeding situations. Our recommendations include making a distinction between inbreeding and variance effective numbers; taking particular care when dealing with organisms with high reproductive potential; assuring that the amount of drift be no larger than it would be without supportive breeding; and focusing primarily on the variance effective size of a population-that is, on the effective number directly related to the rate of loss of gene diversity.     

Genetic Analyses to Establish Captive Breeding Priorities for Endangered Snake River Sockeye Salmon

The plight of the Snake River sockeye salmon presents a challenging genetic puzzle for conservation biologists. Although the Snake River sockeye has been declared endangered, assessment of captive breeding strategies are complicated because a healthy non-migratory strain of O. nerka (kokanee) resides in Redfish Lake, Idaho—the same lake the anadromous fish return to for spawning. The migration of 1-year-old fish (outmigrants) from the lake each year and the observation of non-migratory fish spawning in areas previously used by the sockeye further complicate the issue. We estimated the relatedness of these strains by direct examination of their genetic similarity. Mixed DNA fingerprint analyses suggested that the outmigrants were more closely related to the anadromous sockeye than to the kokanee. Closer analysis using a probe, One-HO.8, to examine allele frequencies at a single locus revealed polymorphism in a number of O. nerka populations. Within the Redfish Lake populations this probe detected an allele present at 0.21 frequency in the kokanee (n = 43), 0.01 (n = 324) in the outmigrants, and absent among 13 anadromous fish. These results support a close genetic relationship of the outmigrants to the anadromous sockeye and the probable utility of the outmigrants in a captive breeding program to restore the anadromous strain.     

Maximizing Offspring Production While Maintaining Genetic Diversity in Supplemental Breeding Programs of Highly Fecund Managed Species

Abstract:  Supplemental breeding is an intensive population management strategy wherein adults are captured from nature and spawned in controlled settings, and the resulting offspring are later released into the wild. To be effective, supplemental breeding programs require crossing strategies that maximize offspring production while maintaining genetic diversity within each supplemental year class. We used computer simulations to assess the efficacy of different mating designs to jointly maximize offspring production and maintain high levels of genetic diversity (as measured by the effective population size) under a variety of biological conditions particularly relevant to species with high fecundity and external fertilization, such as many fishes. We investigated four basic supplemental breeding designs involving either monogamous pairings or complete factorial designs (in which every female is mated to every male and vice versa), each with or without the added stipulation that all breeders contribute equally to the total reproductive output. In general, complete factorial designs that did not equalize parental contributions came closest to the goal of maximizing offspring production while still maintaining relatively large effective population sizes. Next, we estimated the effective population size of 10 different supplemental year classes within the breeding program of the robust redhorse (Moxostoma robustum). Two year classes failed to produce progeny, whereas successful year classes used partial factorial designs to realize effective sizes ranging from 2 to 26 individuals. On average, a complete factorial design could increase the effective size of each robust redhorse supplemental year class by 19%.     

Effects of Multiple Levels of Social Organization on Survival and Abundance

Abstract: Identifying how social organization shapes individual behavior, survival, and fecundity of animals that live in groups can inform conservation efforts and improve forecasts of population abundance, even when the mechanism responsible for group‐level differences is unknown. We constructed a hierarchical Bayesian model to quantify the relative variability in survival rates among different levels of social organization (matrilines and pods) of an endangered population of killer whales (Orcinus orca). Individual killer whales often participate in group activities such as prey sharing and cooperative hunting. The estimated age‐specific survival probabilities and survivorship curves differed considerably among pods and to a lesser extent among matrilines (within pods). Across all pods, males had lower life expectancy than females. Differences in survival between pods may be caused by a combination of factors that vary across the population's range, including reduced prey availability, contaminants in prey, and human activity. Our modeling approach could be applied to demographic rates for other species and for parameters other than survival, including reproduction, prey selection, movement, and detection probabilities.     

Genetic Effects of Habitat Fragmentation on Common Species of Swiss Fen Meadows

Abstract:  The area of Caricion davallianae alliance in Switzerland has been considerably reduced and fragmented during the last 150 years. We assessed the genetic variability, inbreeding level, and among-population differentiation of two common habitat-specific plant species, Carex davalliana SM. and Succisa pratensis Moench, in 18 Caricion davallianae fen meadows subjected to fragmentation. We used a spatial field design of fen systems (six systems total), each consisting of one large habitat island and two small habitat islands. We used allozyme electrophoresis to derive standard genetic parameters ( A, P, H_O, H_E, F_IS, F_ST ). In Carex we identified a consistently lower A in isolated habitat islands; furthermore, H_E was lower in small habitat islands than in large habitat islands. In Succisa we identified a lower H_O in small habitat islands than in larger ones. Small habitat islands were marginally significantly differentiated (  F_ST ) from large islands for Succisa . For both species, no effects were evident for F_IS ; therefore, we argue that genetic drift rather than inbreeding is the main cause of the observed differences. The genetic structure of Carex and Succisa in small habitat islands differed from that in large habitat islands, but differences were small. It appears that the observed differences in genetic variability among fen meadows correspond to observed differences in fitness and demographic traits. We show that habitat fragmentation affects not only the rare species in an ecosystem but also reduces the survival probabilities of common species. One of the main goals of conservation should be to mitigate fragmentation of natural habitats in order to increase population sizes and connectivity.     

能源足迹变化的多因素影响效应研究——以吉林省为例

采用对数平均迪氏指数法构建能源足迹因素分解模型,定量分析1994—2008年吉林省能源足迹变化的主要影响因素及其效应特征。结果表明,1994—2008年,吉林省人均能源足迹从0.228 hm2增至0.524 hm2。在能源足迹增长的抑制因素中,能源强度效应占84.54%,排放因子效应占15.46%;在能源足迹增长的促进因素中,经济产出效应占91.39%,能源结构效应占4.30%,人口规模效应占3.73%,土地固碳效应占0.57%。以经济产出因素为主导的正效应明显大于以能源强度因素为主导的负效应,两者之比为1.73∶1,叠加表现为对能源足迹增长的促进作用,导致其总体呈递增趋势。此外,在正、负效应的双变量格局下,能源足迹呈复合曲面分布。目前减缓吉林省能源足迹增长的重点在于通过技术进步促进能源强度下降,同时需调整能源结构以发挥其应有的抑制作用。     

糯小麦回交改良群体中Wx基因的遗传和品质效应

在基因型鉴定的基础上,利用糯小麦杂交后代BC5F2代回交改良群体研究了各基因缺失对降低直链淀粉含量的效果和各基因合成直链淀粉的能力,以及直链淀粉含量与农艺性状、品质性状、淀粉糊化特性等的相关性。研究发现,在Wx基因的所有8种基因型之间,直链淀粉含量差异显著;研究单缺失基因型发现,对直链淀粉含量减少效应最大的是Wx-B1b,减少效应最小的是Wx-A1b,而Wx-B1b和Wx-D1b没有显著差异;研究双缺失基因型发现,Wx基因合成直链淀粉的能力以Wx-B1a最高,Wx-A1a最低,而Wx-B1a和Wx-D1a差异很小.直链淀粉含量与株高、穗长、小穗数、穗粒数、千粒重等农艺性状相关不显著,表明淀粉品质育种可以与高产育种实现有机结合.直链淀粉含量与SDS-沉降值呈显著负相关(r=-0.726),说明直链淀粉含量降低在一定程度上有利于提高小麦营养与加工品质.全糯类型的淀粉糊化特性与其他类型显著不同,具有最高的峰值粘度和稀懈值,最低的低谷粘度、最终粘度、反弹值、峰值时间、糊化温度、起始糊化温度,表明糯小麦淀粉在食品和工业上具有特殊用途;稀懈值与直链淀粉含量呈极显著负相关(r=-0.969),其它粘度参数与直链淀粉含量呈显著正相关(最终粘度r=0.797,低谷粘度r=0.910、反弹值r=0.954、峰值时间r=0.970、糊化温度r=0.962、起始糊化温度r=0.932).表5参37     

Breeding season of Octopus vulgaris

Female Octopus vulgaris Cuvier mated in the laboratory in every month tested. Females maintained in isolation after capture and not mated in the laboratory laid eggs, fertile and infertile, each month of the year. The longest period of sperm viability was 104 days. Young specimens weighing between 4.0 and 66.0 g were found regularly. It is concluded that O. vulgaris breeds throughout the year, at least in Bahamian waters.     

Evaluating the Effects of Anthropogenic Stressors on Source‐Sink Dynamics in Pond‐Breeding Amphibians

Although interwetland dispersal is thought to play an important role in regional persistence of pond‐breeding amphibians, few researchers have modeled amphibian metapopulation or source‐sink dynamics. Results of recent modeling studies suggest anthropogenic stressors, such as pollution, can negatively affect density and population viability of amphibians breeding in isolated wetlands. Presumably population declines also result in reduced dispersal to surrounding (often uncontaminated) habitats, potentially affecting dynamics of nearby populations. We used our data on the effects of mercury (Hg) on the American toad ( Bufo americanus) as a case study in modeling the effects of anthropogenic stressors on landscape‐scale amphibian dynamics. We created a structured metapopulation model to investigate regional dynamics of American toads and to evaluate the degree to which detrimental effects of Hg contamination on individual populations can disrupt interpopulation dynamics. Dispersal from typical American toad populations supported nearby populations that would otherwise have been extirpated over long time scales. Through support of such sink populations, dispersal between wetland‐associated subpopulations substantially increased overall productivity of wetland networks, but this effect declined with increasing interwetland distance and decreasing wetland size. Contamination with Hg substantially reduced productivity of wetland‐associated subpopulations and impaired the ability of populations to support nearby sinks within relevant spatial scales. Our results add to the understanding of regional dynamics of pond‐breeding amphibians, the wide‐reaching negative effects of environmental contaminants, and the potential for restoration or remediation of degraded habitats. Evaluación de los Efectos de Estresantes Antropogénicos sobre la Dinámica Fuente‐Vertedero en Anfibios que se Reproducen en Charcas