Conservation Genetics of the Jamaican Yellow Boa (Epicrates subflavus) Report, by Athanasia Tzika & Michel C. Milinkovitch, on the field-trip to Jamaica (March 6-26, 2006) In March 2006, our first field-trip to Jamaica took place. We (Michel C. Milinkovitch and Athanasia Tzika, from the Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics, Université Libre de Brux- elles, Belgium, and Alasdair McMillan, from the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Jersey), visited the island for a period of three weeks. Workshops, days spent in the ‘bush’, as well as constructive discussions allowed them to gather information on the current status of the species in the wild. In addition, 65 specimens were pit-tagged and sampled (blood and/or scales) for genetic analyses. Introduction In 1851, Gosse described the Ja- We aim at using molecular markers (nuclear and maican Yellow Boa as a species common in many mitochondrial) for gathering information on the parishes. A century later, Lynn and Grand (1940) genetic diversity of the initial and current captive found it only in remote localities and, according to population. The same markers will also be utilized Oliver, during the 1980’s, the distribution of the to investigate the phylogeography, population di- species was widespread but localized and patchy. versity and structure, and demographic history of Finally, in 1996, Gibson referred to ‘fragile’ popula- the species in its natural habitat. Genetic analysis tions. It is likely that the Yellow Jamaican Boa is, of the samples collected in the wild will allow: today, under serious threat, due to predation by Measurement of the overall genetic variability of introduced mammals (mainly mongooses), habitat the remnant natural population(s) and the charac- loss (up to 90%, Oliver 1986) and resulting frag- terization of the population structure of the spe- mentation of remnant forest patches, as well as cies in Jamaica; human persecution. For this reason, a captive- Allocation of captive breeders to existing or ex- breeding program of this endangered species was tinct natural populations and improvement of the initiated in the 1970s at the Durrell Wildlife Con- breeding program by retaining the population servation Trust (Jersey). Thirty years later, ap- structure observed in the wild; proximately 80 individuals are being kept at 14 in- Allocation of individuals to be released to natu- stitutions affiliated to the European Association of ral populations (identification of the most relevant Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA). The breeding pro- releasing site) (Milinkovitch et al. 2004). gram is coordinated since 2001 by Christophe Remy (Museum/vivarium Tournai, Belgium). 1 March 7th, 2006. A workshop took place at sent the greatest threat: (i) most people directly the ‘Seven Oaks Sanctuary (SOS) for Wildlife’ eliminate any specimen they encounter and (ii) (www.sos-wildlifejamaica.org.jm) organized and destruction of the habitat is frequent (for example, hosted by its operator, Wendy Lee. Approximately a large construction site at Pear Tree Bottom 25 participants with a diverse background at- causes the Boas to leave the area such that many tended, including: are found killed on the nearby Ricardo Miller & Canute Tyndale, National Envi- roads). ronment and Planning Agency (NEPA); Part of the SOS for Wildlife activi- Susan Koenig, DFES, Director of Research, ties is the rescue of Boas found in Windsor Research Centre; the parish of St Ann. Eight Boas were kept at SOS at the time of Andrew Ross, former Scientific Officer for the our visit. We pit-tagged and sam- Montego Bay Marine Park; pled all animals in the presence of Karen Sharpe, Instructor, Montego Bay Commu- the workshop’s participants, giving nity College (MBCC) with eleven students; them the opportunity to realize Denmark Perry, Wildlife Caretaker, SOS- that this species is actually harm- Wildlife; less. All animals were found in a Quincy Grant & Davon Davy, residents of the excellent physical conditions, de- Discovery Bay Area who regularly assist at the spite that several had suffered se- rescue of Boas. vere injuries prior to their trans- Wendy Lee fer to SOS. March 8th to 13th, 2006. Cockpit Country has always been regarded as the stronghold for the Yellow Boas, mainly because the area is relatively undisturbed by human activities. We stayed for a period of six days at the Windsor Great House, i.e., the main building of the Windsor Research Center (WRC), run by Susan Koenig and Michael Schwartz. During that period, we searched (with the help of a local guide) an area about 4 to 9 Workshop at SOS for Wildlife square km around the Windsor Great House. Searches were performed about 6 to 8 hours a day Michel Milinkovitch gave a presentation on the util- around locations where sightings of the animals ity of molecular techniques for conservation ge- had already been reported by Susan Koenig. Only netics in general and the Yellow Jamaican Boa in three wild specimens were found (a pair of adults particular. He discussed the importance of combin- and a single sub-adult male), pit-tagged and blood- ing field and molecular data. Alasdair McMillan sampled. talked about the captive husbandry of the species and referred to basic housing requirements, nutri- tion and general health issues. Finally, Ricardo Miller gave a general introduction on the current status of the species in the wild as well as an out- line of the goals set by NEPA for the conservation of the Boa. We distributed posters and CDs with additional information on the project. Presentations were followed by a constructive dis- cussion on environmental issues in Jamaica in gen- eral and on the major threats for the Yellow Boa in particular. An important conclusion to this discus- sion is that human behavior and activities repre- One of the three boas from Windsor 2 This experience specimens (pit-tags, implanters, electronic reader, demonstrated syringes, needles, vials with preservation solution, the rarity of one snake tong, etc). Indeed, Susan Koenig and Mi- theses animals chael Schwartz indicated their clear interest to and/or the diffi- start a long-term collaboration with us on the culties of spot- conservation of the Yellow Boa. ting them in their natural March 15th, 2006. A workshop was organized environment. by NEPA and the Hope Zoo in Kingston. The nu- After a discus- merous participants included: Trap made at WRC sion on alterna- Yvette Strong, Head of the Biodiversity Branch, as tive approaches for finding the animals, we decided well as Ricardo Miller & Canute Tyndale (NEPA); to make a trap (designed by Alasdair McMillan and Orlando Robinson, Director of the Hope Zoo built at WRC). The trap was bait with a dead rat as well as 4 zoo keepers (Ordel Williams, O'Neil and placed in two different locations during 3 days. Dawkins, Gary Lawrence & Audrey Smith); The rat disappeared from the trap on the third day Pr. Byron Wilson, University of West Indies. but it was impossible to assess whether it had been taken by a boa (or, e.g., a mongoose). Susan Koenig and Michael Schwartz have been scale-clipping (for marking purposes) all specimens found in the area around the Windsor Great House for several years, which probably represents the only systematic work on this species so far. Indeed, local people are encouraged to provide to WRC any specimen they encounter. This also pro- vides Susan Koenig and Michael Schwartz with the opportunity to educate local people on the inter- Y. Strong (NEPA) & O. Robinson (Hope zoo) est to protect the Yellow Boa (the harmless nature and actual benefits of the species are emphasized). Presentations by Discussions with Susan Koenig and Michael Ricardo Miller, Schwartz provided us with valuable information on Michel Milinko- the behavior and distribution of the species in the vitch and Alasdair Cockpit Country. McMillan were f o l l o w e d b y measurements, pit-tagging and sampling of 18 adult Boas (blood and/or scales) and 19 juveniles (scales or shed skin) from three different litters. Weighting and blood sampling This workshop of snakes at the Hope Zoo. was an opportu- nity to visit the Left to right: Ian, A. McMillan, M.C. Milinkovitch, facilities of the Zoo and discuss the possibilities of S. Koenig, A. Tzika, & M. Schwartz a captive breeding program in Jamaica. Byron Wil- We trained Susan Koenig for pit-tagging and blood son, who mostly works on the conservation of the sampling of the snakes and we provided her with Jamaican Iguana (Cyclura collei) at Hellshire Hills, St the necessary material for the process of 50 Catherine, provided information on extremely rare 3 sightings of the Boa in this area (although it is in- struction site were visited with Davon Davy as a tensively surveyed) and allowed us to sample a Boa guide. No snake was found. he keeps in a -20°C freeze after it had been killed On Sunday March 19, a field-trip to the outskirts through its attempt to eat a cane toad. of Oracabessa and Galina (where sightings of the Boa have been reported to NEPA) took place. Miss March 15th to 21st, 2006. For these five Yvette Strong, head of the Biodiversity branch par- days, NEPA organized field-work at the parish of St ticipated to the trip. No boa was found. Ann as well as the collection of samples from The following two days (March 20 & 21) were specimens held by privates. The first day, the area dedicated to the collection of samples from addi- of Belle Air (Discovery Bay) was visited by: tional boas kept by privates. Dwany Smith was the Michel Milinkovitch & Athanasia Tzika first person visited; he keeps two boa specimens Ricardo Miller & Canute Tyndale at Savanna-La-Mar and uses these animals for pub- Instructor from the College of Agriculture, Science lic awareness activities in collaboration with local and Education (CASE) & 12 students NGOs.