Journal article
Opportunity for female mate choice improves reproductive outcomes in the conservation breeding program of the eastern barred bandicoot (Perameles gunnii)
CM Hartnett, ML Parrott, RA Mulder, G Coulson, MJL Magrath
Applied Animal Behaviour Science | ELSEVIER | Published : 2018
Abstract
Captive breeding is fundamental to recovery programs for many endangered species. Most programs seek to maximise retention of genetic variation and minimise inbreeding risk by assigning individuals to pre-determined pairings, but the reproductive outcomes of such pairings are often poor. There is evidence that pairing individuals in captivity that are instead genetically and behaviourally compatible can result in improved reproductive success, and that the resulting offspring perform better when released into the wild. Evidence is also mounting that such compatible outcomes can be achieved by allowing female mate choice. We investigated whether the reproductive success of captive endangered ..
View full abstractGrants
Awarded by Hermon Slade Foundation
Funding Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank staff at Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary, and Werribee Open Range Zoo - in particular Ben Gulli, Kwai Chang-Kum, Hayley Taranto, Yvette Pauligk, and Meagan McPharlin - for providing technical support and assistance during preference trials and animal pairings. We also gratefully acknowledge the support of staff at Serendip Sanctuary (Parks Victoria) and Mt. Rothwell Biodiversity Interpretation Centre, for facilitating the transfer of animals for this study, and the Eastern Barred Bandicoot Recovery Team for their advice and continued efforts towards EBB conservation. This study was generously supported by a grant from the Hermon Slade Foundation (HSF 12/5).