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Simple Summary: This study reveals a significant decline in the Black Andalusian cattle breed population due to agricultural changes and foreign breed introductions, leading to smaller herds and a shift in the male-to-female ratio. Although inbreeding rates are low, there is concern over assortative mating. Key ancestors influence genetic diversity, with variations in population size and geographic subpopulations. Historical transhumance routes, notably the Cañadas Reales, impact genetic connections. Conservation efforts, including breed association initiatives, have increased registrations, but challenges persist, requiring genealogical registration, targeted breeding, and collaborative efforts. Monitoring and adjusting selection practices are crucial to maintaining genetic diversity. Continued proactive measures are essential for conserving the Black Andalusian breed's genetic viability, acknowledging historical factors, and addressing contemporary challenges. This comprehensive study on the Andalusian Black cattle breed reveals a substantial population decline, with the average herd size decreasing significantly from 305.54 to 88.28 animals per herd. This decline is primarily attributed to agricultural changes and the introduction of foreign meat-focused breeds. The male-to-female ratio shift is noteworthy, with more cows than bulls, impacting selection intensity for both genders. Inbreeding levels, though relatively low historically (5.94%) and currently (7.23%), raise concerns as 37.08% historically and 48.82% currently of the animals exhibit inbreeding. Positive assortative mating is evident, reflected by the increasing non-random mating coefficient (α). Key ancestors play a crucial role in shaping genetic diversity, with one ancestor significantly influencing the current genetic pool and the top 10 ancestors contributing substantially. Breed maintains a conservation index of 2.75, indicating relatively high genetic diversity. Recent conservation efforts have led to an increase in registered animals. The Cañadas Reales, historical transhumance routes, may have contributed to genetic connections among provinces. Challenges include the historical bottleneck, demographic changes, and potential impacts from reproductive practices. The Andalusian Black breed's conservation necessitates ongoing efforts in genealogical registration, targeted breeding programs, and collaborative initiatives to address the observed demographic shifts and ensure sustainable genetic diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the temporal dynamics of autochthonous dog breed recognition in the Balearic Islands, revealing a complex interplay of relationships across various stages. The analysis, depicted through a heatmap and correlation matrix, highlights the significance of early breed recognition by showing strong negative correlations with subsequent stages, shaping the trajectory for standardized breed preservation. Associations evolve as central players, exhibiting positive correlations in their temporal dynamics and contributing significantly to the sustainability of the island ecosystem. Notably, the study identifies nuanced connections between the temporal sequence of association development and the subsequent achievements of autonomic and national official recognitions. The findings provide valuable insights into the intricate patterns governing breed preservation, offering a comprehensive roadmap for informed conservation strategies and contributing to broader efforts in biodiversity conservation and cultural heritage stewardship unique to the Balearic Islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high degree of inbreeding has been reported to negatively impact semen quality in Friesian horses and Shetland ponies. Both breeds are characterized by a closed studbook, small population size, and high incidence of inbreeding. The Dutch Warmblood studbook (KWPN: Koninklijk Warmblood Paardenstamboek Nederland) is a much larger studbook with two distinct populations: the KWPN-Riding horses, managed as an 'open' studbook, and the KWPN-Harness horses, representing a much smaller subpopulation within the KWPN breed and managed as an 'almost closed' studbook. It was recently reported that the degree of inbreeding in KWPN-Harness horses has increased in recent decades due to the small gene pool; however, the degree of inbreeding is still lower than that of Friesian horses and Shetland ponies. We hypothesized that a high or rising degree of inbreeding might negatively impact semen quality. In the present study, we retrospectively compared semen quality parameters of stallions from four different breeds or types (Friesian Horses, Shetland Ponies, KWPN-Riding horses, and KWPN-Harness horses), each reported with different degrees of inbreeding. Semen concentration, and percentages of motile, morphologically normal and live spermatozoa, and the total number of morphologically normal, progressive motile spermatozoa per ejaculate (TNM) were analyzed for 2832 semen evaluations performed over a 15-year period. KWPN-Harness horses had a significantly lower sperm concentration, % motile spermatozoa and % live spermatozoa than KWPN-Riding horses but the % motile and % morphologically normal spermatozoa and TNM in both KWPN-Harness and KWPN-Riding horses were significantly higher than in Friesian horses and Shetland ponies. These results suggest a lower semen quality in KWPN-Harness than KWPN-Riding horses, potentially as a result of a higher coefficient of inbreeding. The negative trend observed in the KWPN-Harness horses may be a warning sign, and breeders or stud books should monitor the degree of inbreeding carefully to avoid a further reduction in semen quality, to the levels observed in Friesian horses and Shetland ponies. • A high degree of inbreeding is negatively associated with semen quality. • The lower semen quality in KWPN-Harness is potentially a result of a higher rate of inbreeding in this breed. • The negative trend observed in the semen quality of KWPN-Harness horses can be a warning sign to the breeders or/and stud books. to monitor the degree of inbreeding carefully, to avoid a further reduction in semen quality in this breed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A demographic and reproductive analysis of the population of jaguars (Panthera onca) (n = 38) held in Colombian zoos. Records were analyzed (1970-2010), where paternity and maternity data were completed by DNA's microsatelite analysis. The SPARKS program was used for the construction of the Regional Studbook for Jaguars and the Population Management 2000 (PM 2000) program for its analysis. The main results obtained were: the census, distribution by sex and age, fertility rate, survival rate, mortality rate, average life expectancy, reproductive value, reproductive projections for 5, 10, 15, 20 and 100 years while preserving the 90% of genetic diversity. The most relevant findings were: the population analyzed in 2010 was decreasing (λ = 0.9876), the generational time (T) was longer for females (T = 18.21 years) than for males (T = 17.46 years), the genetic diversity was on the rise from 1994 to 2002 and remained stable from 2002 to 2009 (GD = 0.78). The genetic analysis allowed to structure the captive population, optimizing the analysis and the reliability of the results, opening the possibility of applying these methods as a conservation model in other threatened species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryptoprocta ferox , or fosa, is the largest living endemic carnivoran of Madagascar, with presumably high dispersal capacity, and for which no broad scale phylogeographic study has been conducted to date. This species is considered “Vulnerable” by the IUCN and the subject of a captive breeding program; approximately 113 individuals are held in 57 zoos. The aim of this study was to examine the genetic structure and polymorphism within both captive and wild populations, to determine possible lineage variation, and to make recommendations for the captive breeding program. For this purpose, we analyzed three mitochondrial (Cytochrome b, ND2, Control Region) and one nuclear (Beta-fibrinogen intron 7) markers. The results showed an overall low level of genetic polymorphism, likely related to its dispersal capacity, and some genetic structure possibly associated with geographical barriers, such as large rivers. The genetic diversity of the captive population was greater than that of wild individuals included herein, suggesting that the captive population encompasses a considerable proportion of the genetic diversity of the species. This genetic variability is presumably the consequence of frequent imports of wild animals into zoos from different areas of Madagascar, and subsequent exchanges between zoos. Based on the low overall genetic polymorphism of the species and the absence of deeply divergent lineages, we recommend the continued mixing of captive animals. Our results may help the management of the fosa in the wild and in captivity, which is crucial for a species that faces many threats in the wild, in particular habitat degradation and hunting pressure. In any case, enhanced protection of the species and its forested habitat is urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of mitochondrial D-loop sequences (408 bp) from 145 Lusitano founder mares yielded a total of 27 different haplotypes. The distribution of these mtDNA sequences was quite unequal, with the three most frequent ones representing 56.5% of all the Lusitano founder mares and 14 haplotypes (51.9%) being rare variants found only once in the sampling. Four main haplotype clusters were present in the Lusitano breed. The comparison of these sequences with other equine haplotypes shows that they fall in groups shared with other horse breeds. These data support the hypothesis of multiple domestication events in many distinct geographic areas over a broad time span. However, the analysis of 145 Lusitano, 55 Pura Raza Española and 18 Sorraia sequences indicates that half of the samples (50.9%) fall in one specific-cluster (A), which has previously been described as characteristic of the Iberian and Northern African horse breeds. The presence of a phylogeographic structure in cluster A associated with its star-like structure was interpreted as suggestive of a centre of horse domestication in the Iberia Peninsula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African painted dogs (Lycaon pictus, APD) are highly endangered, with fewer than 7000 remaining in nature. Captive breeding programs can preserve a genetically diverse population and provide a source of individuals for reintroductions. However, most programs are initiated from few founders and suffer from low genetic diversity and inbreeding. The aims of this study were to use molecular markers to assess genetic variation, inbreeding, and relatedness among APDs in the North American captive population, to use these data to realign studbook records, and to compare these data to wild populations and to the European captive population to facilitate the development of a global management plan. We sequenced mitochondrial and major histocompatibility (MHC) class II loci and genotyped 14 microsatellite loci from 109 APDs from 34 institutions in North America. We identified three likely studbook errors and resolved ten cases of uncertain paternity. Overall, microsatellite heterozygosity was higher than reported in Europe, but effective population size estimates were lower. Mitochondrial sequence variation was extremely limited, and there were fewer MHC haplotypes than in Europe or the wild. Although the population did not show evidence of significant inbreeding overall, several individuals shared high relatedness values, which should be incorporated into future breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The Pura Raza Español horse (PRE) is an autochthonous Spanish horse recognized as an official breed since the 15th century. In 1912, with the creation of its studbook, it became a closed population (only animals belonging to the breed acts as breeders: 23,530 stallions and 75,870 mares), in which relatedness between individuals and inbreeding has tended to increase. Inbreeding estimation measures the probability in an individual of possessing, in one gene, two identical alleles derived from a common ancestor. Each common ancestor provides part of the descendant's total inbreeding (partial inbreeding coefficient, Fij). This work analyzes the Fij, calculated using a recently developed approach (based on founders and Mendelian sampling of the non-founders) in the whole PRE population. The identification of 10,244 common ancestors and their relationship with the seven most influential individuals of the breed allowed us to determine that a genetic bottleneck due to an unequal contribution over the generations occurred. Computing Fij has being an important tool to determine which are the breeding animals, with more or less massive use, whose are determining a loss of genetic variability in the population at each moment and has enabled us to expand our knowledge about PRE genetic demographic evolution. The aim of this work was to analyze genetic parameters such as the inbreeding coefficient (F), relatedness coefficient (AR) and partial inbreeding coefficient (Fij) of the whole PRE population, and the ancestors which account for 50% of the total genetic variability of the current population, from genealogical information. The average F of the whole PRE population (328,706 animals) has decreased from 8.45% to 7.51% in the least 20 years. The Fij was estimated for the whole PRE population, resulting in a database of 58,772,533 records containing one record for each Fij that each animal receives from a certain common ancestor (CA). A total of 10,244 CAs contributed to the Fij with an average of 5370 descendants, with each descendant having an average of 170 CAs. Over the generations, the number of CAs has increased, while the proportion of Fij by each one has decreased. In addition, the contributions of the more influential ancestors have changed. The increased census, the limited use of artificial insemination and our increased knowledge about inbreeding depression and the animals' breeding values allow breeders to select horses more for their functionality and conformation than for their pedigree reputation, which is the cause of all these changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many birds and mammals, the size and sex composition of litters can have important downstream effects for individual offspring. Primates are model organisms for questions of cooperation and conflict, but the factors shaping interactions among same‐age siblings have been less‐studied in primates because most species bear single young. However, callitrichines (marmosets, tamarins, and lion tamarins) frequently bear litters of two or more, thereby providing the opportunity to ask whether variation in the size and sex composition of litters affects development, survival, and reproduction. To investigate these questions, we compiled a large dataset of nine species of callitrichines (n = 27,080 individuals; Callithrix geoffroyi, Callithrix jacchus, Cebuella pygmaea, Saguinus imperator, Saguinus oedipus, Leontopithecus chrysomelas, Leontopithecus chrysopygus, Leontopithecus rosalia, and Callimico goeldii) from zoo and laboratory populations spanning 80 years (1938–2018). Through this comparative approach, we found several lines of evidence that litter size and sex composition may impact fitness. Singletons have higher survivorship than litter‐born peers and they significantly outperform litter‐born individuals on two measures of reproductive performance. Further, for some species, individuals born in a mixed‐sex litter outperform isosexually‐born individuals (i.e., those born in all‐male or all‐female litters), suggesting that same‐sex competition may limit reproductive performance. We also document several interesting demographic trends. All but one species (C. pygmaea) has a male‐biased birth sex ratio with higher survivorship from birth to sexual maturity among females (although this was significant in only two species). Isosexual litters occurred at the expected frequency (with one exception: C. pygmaea), unlike other animals, where isosexual litters are typically overrepresented. Taken together, our results indicate a modest negative effect of same‐age sibling competition on reproductive output in captive callitrichines. This study also serves to illustrate the value of zoo and laboratory records for biological inquiry. Research Highlights: Singletons have higher survivorship than litter‐born monkeys and outperform their litter‐born peers on two measures of reproductive success.Offspring born into mixed‐sex litters reproductively outperform those born in all‐male or all‐female litters in some species, suggesting that same‐sex competition may limit fitness outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]