Analysis of Endangered Andalusian Black Cattle (Negra Andaluza) Reveals Genetic Reservoir for Bovine Black Trunk.

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.

Genetic variability and structure of jaguar (Panthera onca) in Mexican zoos.

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.

Birth and mortality of maned wolves Chrysocyon brachyurus (Illiger, 1811) in captivity

The aims of this study were to verify the distribution of births of captive maned wolves Chrysocyon brachyurus and the causes of their deaths during the period from 1980 to 1998, based on the registry of births and deaths in the International Studbook for Maned Wolves. To determine birth distribution and average litter size, 361 parturitions were analyzed for the 1989-98 period. To analyze causes of mortality, the animals were divided into four groups: 1. pups born in captivity that died prior to one year of age; 2. animals born in captivity that died at more than one year of age; 3. animals captured in the wild that died at any age; and 4. all animals that died during the 1980-98 period. In group 1, the main causes of mortality were parental incompetence (67%), infectious diseases, (9%) and digestive system disorders (5%). The average mortality rate for pups was 56%. Parental incompetence was responsible for 95% of pup deaths during the first week of life. In group 2, the main causes were euthanasia (18%) and disorders of the genitourinary (10%) and digestive systems (8%). Euthanasia was implemented due to senility, congenital disorders, degenerative diseases, and trauma. In group 3, the main causes were digestive system disorders (12%), infectious diseases (10%), and lesions or accidents (10%). The main causes of mortality of maned wolves in captivity (group 4) were parental incompetence (38%), infectious diseases (9%), and digestive system disorders (7%).

O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a distribuição de nascimentos e as principais causas de mortalidade de lobos-guarás cativos, com base nos registros de nascimento e óbito no International Studbook for Maned Wolf, no período de 1980-98. Foram analisadas 361 parições, no período de 1989-98, a fim de verificar a distribuição de nascimentos e o tamanho médio das ninhadas. Os animais foram distribuídos em quatro grupos para análise das causas de mortalidade: 1. filhotes nascidos em cativeiro que morreram com menos de um ano de idade; 2. espécimes nascidos em cativeiro que morreram com mais de um ano de idade; 3. espécimes capturados na natureza que morreram com qualquer idade; e 4. lobos-guarás mortos no período de 1980-98. No grupo 1, as principais causas de mortalidade foram incompetência parental (67%), doenças infecciosas (9%) e alterações do sistema digestivo (5%). A mortalidade média de filhotes foi de 56%. A incompetência parental foi responsável por 95% das mortes dos filhotes na primeira semana de vida. No grupo 2, as principais causas foram eutanásia (18%), alterações gênito-urinárias (10%) e alterações do sistema digestivo (8%). As eutanásias ocorreram devido à senilidade, alterações congênitas, doenças degenerativas e traumas. No grupo 3, as principais causas foram alterações no aparelho digestivo (12%), doenças infecciosas (10%) e lesões e acidentes (10%). As principais causas de mortalidade de lobos-guarás em cativeiro, no período de 1980-98, foram incompetência parental (38%), doenças infecciosas (9%) e alterações do sistema digestivo (7%).

Birth and mortality of maned wolves Chrysocyon brachyurus (Illiger, 1811) in captivity

The aims of this study were to verify the distribution of births of captive maned wolves Chrysocyon brachyurus and the causes of their deaths during the period from 1980 to 1998, based on the registry of births and deaths in the International Studbook for Maned Wolves. To determine birth distribution and average litter size, 361 parturitions were analyzed for the 1989-98 period. To analyze causes of mortality, the animals were divided into four groups: 1. pups born in captivity that died prior to one year of age; 2. animals born in captivity that died at more than one year of age; 3. animals captured in the wild that died at any age; and 4. all animals that died during the 1980-98 period. In group 1, the main causes of mortality were parental incompetence (67%), infectious diseases, (9%) and digestive system disorders (5%). The average mortality rate for pups was 56%. Parental incompetence was responsible for 95% of pup deaths during the first week of life. In group 2, the main causes were euthanasia (18%) and disorders of the genitourinary (10%) and digestive systems (8%). Euthanasia was implemented due to senility, congenital disorders, degenerative diseases, and trauma. In group 3, the main causes were digestive system disorders (12%), infectious diseases (10%), and lesions or accidents (10%). The main causes of mortality of maned wolves in captivity (group 4) were parental incompetence (38%), infectious diseases (9%), and digestive system disorders (7%).

O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a distribuição de nascimentos e as principais causas de mortalidade de lobos-guarás cativos, com base nos registros de nascimento e óbito no International Studbook for Maned Wolf, no período de 1980-98. Foram analisadas 361 parições, no período de 1989-98, a fim de verificar a distribuição de nascimentos e o tamanho médio das ninhadas. Os animais foram distribuídos em quatro grupos para análise das causas de mortalidade: 1. filhotes nascidos em cativeiro que morreram com menos de um ano de idade; 2. espécimes nascidos em cativeiro que morreram com mais de um ano de idade; 3. espécimes capturados na natureza que morreram com qualquer idade; e 4. lobos-guarás mortos no período de 1980-98. No grupo 1, as principais causas de mortalidade foram incompetência parental (67%), doenças infecciosas (9%) e alterações do sistema digestivo (5%). A mortalidade média de filhotes foi de 56%. A incompetência parental foi responsável por 95% das mortes dos filhotes na primeira semana de vida. No grupo 2, as principais causas foram eutanásia (18%), alterações gênito-urinárias (10%) e alterações do sistema digestivo (8%). As eutanásias ocorreram devido à senilidade, alterações congênitas, doenças degenerativas e traumas. No grupo 3, as principais causas foram alterações no aparelho digestivo (12%), doenças infecciosas (10%) e lesões e acidentes (10%). As principais causas de mortalidade de lobos-guarás em cativeiro, no período de 1980-98, foram incompetência parental (38%), doenças infecciosas (9%) e alterações do sistema digestivo (7%).