1. Genetic variability and structure of jaguar (Panthera onca) in Mexican zoos
- Author
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José Herrera-Haro, Daniel Martínez-Gómez, José A. Godoy, Francisco Palomares, Cuauhtémoc Chávez, Octavio Monroy-Vilchis, Pilar Rueda-Zozaya, Germán David Mendoza-Martínez, and Armando Sunny
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,0301 basic medicine ,Conservation of Natural Resources ,Genotype ,Jaguar ,Population genetics ,Population ,Endangered species ,Zoology ,Plant Science ,Breeding ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,03 medical and health sciences ,biology.animal ,Genetics ,Animals ,Panthera ,Studbook ,Genetic variability ,education ,Microsatellites ,Mexico ,Population Density ,education.field_of_study ,Panthera onca ,biology ,Ecology ,Genetic Variation ,Sequence Analysis, DNA ,General Medicine ,Ex situ conservation ,Pedigree ,Genetics, Population ,030104 developmental biology ,Genetic variabilit ,Insect Science ,Animals, Zoo ,Animal Science and Zoology - Abstract
Genealogical records of animals (studbook) are created to avoid reproduction between closely related individuals, which could cause inbreeding, particularly for such endangered species as the Panthera onca (Linnaeus, 1758). Jaguar is the largest felid in the Americas and is considered an important ecological key species. In Mexico, wild jaguar populations have been significantly reduced in recent decades, and population decline typically accompany decreases in genetic variation. There is no current census of captive jaguars in Mexico, and zoos do not follow a standardized protocol in breeding programs based on genetic studies. Here, we emphasise the importance of maintaining an adequate level of genetic variation and propose the implementation of standardised studbooks for jaguars in Mexico, mainly to avoid inbreeding. In addition, achieving the aims of studbook registration would provide a population genetic characterisation that could serve as a basis for ex situ conservation programmes.
- Published
- 2016