Population Analysis & Breeding and Transfer Plan Nicobar Pigeon
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Draft for Review by the Institutional Representatives – Please Respond by 21 October 2016 Population Analysis & Breeding and Transfer Plan Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica) AZA Species Survival Plan® Yellow Program AZA Species Survival Plan® Coordinator and AZA Studbook Keeper Allan Craig Mikel, Louisville Zoo ([email protected]) AZA Population Advisor Cara Groome Bryan, Population Management Center, Lincoln Park Zoo ([email protected]) 21 September 2016 Nicobar Pigeon Yellow SSP 2016 DRAFT Draft for Review by the Institutional Representatives – Please Respond by 21 October 2016 Executive Summary Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica) The Nicobar Pigeon SSP population at the time of analyses consists of 451 individuals (226.176.49) at 55 institutions (53 AZA and 2 non-AZA; this count is an estimate due to relatively unmonitored group breeding situations at some institutions). This is the second Breeding and Transfer Plan for this species, and under AZA’s new sustainability designations, this population currently qualifies as a Yellow SSP. While a target population size was not designated by the Columbiformes Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) in their last Regional Collection Plan (RCP), based on estimates of current space availability and institutional needs, maintaining the current population size and limiting further growth is the current goal. Due to the extensive lack of pedigree information available for this population, genetic management by the conventional method of using mean kinship to equalize the representation of various founder lineages cannot be undertaken at this time. Accurate historical and current data are required even for the most basic genetic management, such as avoidance of inbreeding. Without pedigree data, the genetic diversity of the population cannot be measured, the relative genetic value of different individuals is unknown, and the relatedness among animals cannot be determined. Demography Current size of population (N) - Total (Males, Females, Unknown)* 451 (226.176.49) # animals excluded from management - Population size following exclusions 451 (226.176.49) Target population size (based on estimates of space availability) 451 Mean generation time (years) 8.9 *Historical / 5 year / Projected population growth rate (; lambda) 1.066 / 1.043 / 1.058 * Total population size should be considered as estimate due to relatively unmonitored group breeding at some institutions. **Historical from life tables (SSP, 1970 – 2015); 5-year from PopLink census; Projected from PMx stochastic 20 – yr projections Nonetheless, the population appears to be demographically robust, and due to the population’s large size, relatively stable age distribution, equal sex ratio, and high effective population size, it is probable that a considerable amount of genetic diversity from the founding population has been retained over time. However, the import regulations for species listed under CITES I limit the recruitment of new potential founders and therefore additional potential genetic diversity. To maximize retention of the remaining genetic diversity, the SSP recommends an alternative group management strategy in lieu of traditional pedigree analyses. Demographic projections indicate that approximately 35 to 37 hatches are needed in the coming year to keep the population stable (lambda=1.00). Immediate recommendations listed in this plan are based primarily on institutional needs/requests and by avoiding inbreeding as much as is known or suspected. In an attempt to contain unknown pedigree while meeting long term genetic and demographic goals, the SSP is recommending dividing the population into two separately genetically managed groups (see Management Strategy on page 7 to see specific institution designations): Group A will include birds held at institutions that contain individuals with at least recently recorded pedigree and which are able to identify and record parentage of future offspring. Group B will consist of birds held at institutions that (1) are not regularly identifying and recording parentage (historic as well as current hatches), (2) currently hold a significant number of completely unknown pedigree individuals, and/or (3) are interested in exhibiting same sex flocks only. Communication between the SSP Coordinator and holding institutions will be vital in the future in order to implement this strategy. ALL institutions are highly encouraged to research the pedigree of any individuals coming into the population and to continue to record parentage of all offspring born into the population. Summary Actions: Breeding is recommended at 27 group A and 13 group B institutions with approximately 24 transfers necessary to meet institutional requests and demographic goals. For all future transfers, the SSP will assist with transferring birds between facilities within the same group in order to keep the unknown-ness in the population contained and to facilitate genetic management of the portion of the population with known pedigree. This Animal Program is currently a Yellow SSP and recommendations proposed are non-binding – Participation is voluntary. 1 Dispositions to non-AZA institutions should comply with each institution's acquisition/disposition policy. Nicobar Pigeon Yellow SSP 2016 DRAFT Draft for Review by the Institutional Representatives – Please Respond by 21 October 2016 Table of Contents I. Executive Summary 1 II. Description of Population Status 4 Introduction 4 Analytical Studbook 4 Demography 4 Genetics 5 Management Strategy 6 III. Recommendations ASHEBORO, ATTLEBORO, AUDUBON, BALTIM AQ 8 BATONROUG, BRIMINGHM, BREVARD, BUSCH TAM 9 CAPE MAY, CENTRALPK, CHICAGOLP 10 CINCINNAT, COLUMBIA, COLUMBUS 11 DENVER, DES MOINE, DETROIT 12 DISNEY AK 13 EL PASO, FRESNO 14 FT WAYNE, GARDENCTY, HONOLULU, HOUSTON 15 JACKSON, LITTLEROC, LOUISVILL 16 LOWRY, MEMPHIS 17 METROZOO, MILL MOUN 18 MILWAUKEE, MINNESOTA 19 MOODY, NY BRONX 20 OMAHA, ORLANDO 21 PHILADELP, PHOENIX, PITTS CA, REDWOOD 22 RIO GRAND, ROCHESTER, SAFARI W, SAN ANTON 23 SANDIEGOZ 24 SD-WAP, SEATTLE, SEAWLD TX 25 SEDGWICK, STATEN IS, SYRACUSE 26 TAUTPHAUS, TOPEKA, TORONTO 27 TUCSON, TULSA 28 IV. Appendices A. Pedigree Assumptions 29 B. Summary of Data Exports 29 C. Animals Excluded from the Genetic Analysis 29 D. Life Tables 30 E. Ordered Mean Kinship List 31 F. Survival Statistics Report 32 G. Definitions 34 H. Directory of Institutional Representatives 36 This Animal Program is currently a Yellow SSP and recommendations proposed are non-binding – Participation is voluntary. 2 Dispositions to non-AZA institutions should comply with each institution's acquisition/disposition policy. Nicobar Pigeon Yellow SSP 2016 DRAFT Draft for Review by the Institutional Representatives – Please Respond by 21 October 2016 Acknowledgements The Nicobar Pigeon SSP planning session was held 27 April 2016 via phone and internet conferencing and was attended by the following: Allan Craig Mikel, Louisville Zoological Garden Cara Groome Bryan, Population Management Center, Lincoln Park Zoo Lauren Terwilliger, Alexander Center for Applied Population Biology, Lincoln Park Zoo Kayla Melton, Alexander Center for Applied Population Biology, Lincoln Park Zoo Chelle Plassé, Disney’s Animal Kingdom (via internet/phone conference) Cover photo by: Sam Goldenberg AZA Species Survival Plan® Coordinator & AZA Studbook Keeper Allan Craig Mikel, Louisville Zoological Garden [email protected] Report and analyses prepared by: Cara Groome Bryan, AZA Population Management Center, Lincoln Park Zoo [email protected] This plan was prepared and distributed with the assistance of the Population Management Center in Chicago. [email protected] This Animal Program is currently a Yellow SSP and recommendations proposed are non-binding – Participation is voluntary. 3 Dispositions to non-AZA institutions should comply with each institution's acquisition/disposition policy. Nicobar Pigeon Yellow SSP 2016 DRAFT Draft for Review by the Institutional Representatives – Please Respond by 21 October 2016 Description of Population Status Nicobar Pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica) Introduction: The Nicobar Pigeon SSP population at the time of analyses consists approximately of 451 (226.176.49) individuals at 55 institutions (53 AZA and 2 non-AZA; this count is an estimate due to relatively unmonitored group breeding situations at two institutions). This species is currently listed as near threatened on the IUCN Red List and protected under CITES Appendix I as a result of its decline in the wild from habitat destruction, capture for the food and pet trades, and predation by introduced mammals among the islands of South East Asia and the Western Pacific. This is the second formal Breeding and Transfer Plan for this species, and under AZA’s new sustainability designations, this population currently qualifies as a Yellow SSP. While a target population size was not designated by the Columbiformes Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) in their last Regional Collection Plan (RCP), based on estimates of current space availability and institutional needs, maintaining the current population size and limiting further growth is the current goal. Comprehensive genetic and demographic analyses of this population were performed in April 2016 resulting in this current breeding and transfer plan. Analyses of the North American regional Nicobar Pigeon studbook, (current to 25 April 2016) were performed using PopLink 2.4 and PMx 1.2.2. Analytical Population: No pedigree assumptions were developed at the time of this plan due to the