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Can captive populations function as sources of genetic variation for reintroductions into the wild? A case study of the Arabian oryx from the Phoenix Zoo and the Shaumari Wildlife Reserve, Jordan

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Abstract

The Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) historically ranged across the Arabian Peninsula and neighboring countries until its extirpation in 1972. In 1963–1964 a captive breeding program for this species was started at the Phoenix Zoo (PHX); it ultimately consisted of 11 animals that became known as the ‘World Herd’. In 1978–1979 a wild population was established at the Shaumari Wildlife Reserve (SWR), Jordan, with eight descendants from the World Herd and three individuals from Qatar. We described the mtDNA and nuclear genetic diversity and structure of PHX and SWR. We also determined the long-term demographic and genetic viability of these populations under different reciprocal translocation scenarios. PHX displayed a greater number of mtDNA haplotypes (n = 4) than SWR (n = 2). Additionally, PHX and SWR presented nuclear genetic diversities of \(\bar{N}_{\text{A}}\) = 2.88 vs. 2.75, \(\bar{H}_{\text{O}}\) = 0.469 vs. 0.387, and \(\bar{H}_{\text{E}}\) = 0.501 vs. 0.421, respectively. Although these populations showed no signs of inbreeding (\(\bar{F}_{\text{IS}}\) ≈ 0), they were highly differentiated (\(G^{\prime\prime}_{\text{ST}}\) = 0.580; P < 0.001). Migration between PHX and SWR (Nm = 1, 4, and 8 individuals/generation) increased their genetic diversity in the short-term and substantially reduced the probability of extinction in PHX during 25 generations. Under such scenarios, maximum genetic diversities were achieved in the first generations before the effects of genetic drift became predominant. Although captive populations can function as sources of genetic variation for reintroduction programs, we recommend promoting mutual and continuous gene flow with wild populations to ensure the long-term survival of this species.

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Acknowledgments

This project was funded by the Arizona Center for Nature Conservation/Phoenix Zoo and by the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología and the National Science Foundation-Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship scholarships awarded to A. Ochoa. We thank D. Subaitis and J. Swenson from the Arizona Center for Nature Conservation/Phoenix Zoo and A. H. Eljarah and A. Elhala from the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature for collecting the Arabian oryx biological samples used in this study. R. Fitak, T. Edwards, and two anonymous reviewers provided useful comments and revisions to the manuscript. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona, 1064 East Lowell Street, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA

    Alexander Ochoa, Sergio A. Redondo, Sydnee R. Sexton & Melanie Culver

  2. Arizona Center for Nature Conservation/Phoenix Zoo, 455 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ, 85008, USA

    Stuart A. Wells & Gary West

  3. Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, P.O. Box 1215, Jubeiha, 11941, Jordan

    Ma’en Al-Smadi

  4. Department of Biology, Stanford University, 371 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA

    Sergio A. Redondo

  5. U.S. Geological Survey, Arizona Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Arizona, 1064 East Lowell Street, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA

    Melanie Culver

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  1. Alexander Ochoa
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Ochoa, A., Wells, S.A., West, G. et al. Can captive populations function as sources of genetic variation for reintroductions into the wild? A case study of the Arabian oryx from the Phoenix Zoo and the Shaumari Wildlife Reserve, Jordan. Conserv Genet 17, 1145–1155 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-016-0850-5

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