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Project

Conservation genetics of zoo and wildlife populations

The management of small populations nowadays relies heavily on conservation genetics, using molecular tools to study the genetic aspects of intensively managed animal populations in captivity or in the wild. By using molecular techniques we aim to contribute to managing captive breeding programmes more efficiently and to sustainable captive and wildlife populations. Besides the routine molecular sexing of birds and comprehensive projects described hereafter, we also established smaller-scale projects that directly support captive breeding programs or field conservation projects run by the RZSA or by its partners. Examples of such projects are studies to determine the genetic diversity and population structure of Golden headed lion tamarins, okapi and Military macaws in the wild and in captivity (see below). For lion tamarins, for example we developed genetic markers and largely analysed the captive population, and we will continue to work with additional samples from the wild in collaboration with a Brazilian lab. For okapi, the CRC is involved in a collaborative effort to investigate key aspects of population genetics and demography of the wild okapi population in the DRC. Our specific contribution is the sampling of captive individuals as well as museum specimens of okapi originating from as many localities throughout its range as possible. For the captive population these results will also be of extreme importance to keep track of parentage and to assess levels of inbreeding in comparison to the wild population. Time line: 2002-ongoing Partners: Filip Volckaert (KULeuven) | Adriana Grativol & Andreia Magro (Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense) | Luc Lens (Ghent University) | Erik Matthysen (University of Antwerp)| David Stanton and Mike Bruford (Cardiff University)| Okapi Faunal Reserve | Martine Peeters (IRD, University of Montpellier)
Datum:1 jan 2005 →  Heden