Transcript Animal Conservation Genomics: African Style

Genomics, Genetics and Health:
African Wildlife Conservation
James Derr, Professor
Veterinary Pathobiology
Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas
My Objectives Today:
1. WHY THE INTEREST IN GENETICS FOR
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION?
2. HOW CAN WE USE THIS TECHNOLOGY TO
BENEFIT THE HUNTING INDUSTRY AND
WILDLIFE SPECIES?
3. WHAT AM I ASKING YOU (NAPHA) TO
CONSIDER?
Why should we be interested in Genetics?
Species conservation is conservation of genes and their diversity.
Individual animals are really temporary
repositories for their genes. Their genes
were here before them and hopefully will
still be here after their death.
Conservation genomics is the
use of biotechnology for the
conservation and restoration
of biodiversity.
Levels of genetic diversity are
directly proportional to a species
long term ability to adapt, survive
and thrive.
Therefore, loss of genetic diversity
is detrimental to overall population
health and long-term survival.
To date, one of the most detailed conservation genomics
studies of any wildlife species focused on American bison.
My research program alone has published over 20 scientific
articles on bison genetics.
This species experienced severe and well documented
population declines between 1800 and 1900 that reduced the
census size of this species by over 99.9% (<500 animals).
The spectacular recovery to over 750,000 animals present
today is a testament to their genetic constitution and
represents one of the most significant accomplishments in
modern conservation biology.
We have learned a great deal from 15 years of bison genetic studies and now it’s time
to start applying that knowledge base to the conservation of other mammalian species.
Conservation Genomics: African Wildlife
Africa is best known for the
enormous diversity and richness
of its wildlife.
It has the greatest variety of
large ungulates, or hoofed
mammals (some 90 species),
of any continent.
We propose, using the bison studies as a model, to
expand the use of these genomic technologies for
the benefit of African wildlife species
These efforts are based on developing a systematic
plan to collect information and genetic samples from
captured or killed animals and archive this material
with museums, zoos and universities within each
country.
I will briefly outline four broad objectives for these efforts. While the first objective is
the absolute key to continued success of these genetic conservation efforts.
Project Objectives I
1. Establish a network of
professional hunters for
the systematic collection
of genetic samples,
living tissues and
associated health data
from harvested or
captured wildlife species
in Sub-Saharan Africa.
This will empower more people around the world to conduct research with African wildlife.
We propose to train the people most closely involved with
each species in the field; The Professional Hunters:
Collect DNA samples and tissues from killed or captured
wildlife from at least two tissue sources:
Blood samples on FTA cards.
Hair follicles pulled from the tip of the tail.
Living cells from selected animals for future cloning needs.
Access the overall health of these animals through
systematic screening for:
Evidence / documentation of infectious diseases.
Evidence / documentation of external and internal parasites.
It is critical that all associated information, such as; species name, sex, estimated
age, GPS location, trophy scoring results and any unusual traits be recorded and
associated with these genetics samples. This should become a routine procedure.
Training Professional Hunters
across Africa
Educational videos of genetic collection and health assessments from killed or captured wildlife
Program Objectives II
2. Fully develop rapid and
economical individual
species/subspecies
identification technologies
from multiple mitochondrial and
nuclear genes. These
technologies will be designed so
that they can be conducted in
any moderately outfitted
laboratory.
For example, the BarCoding of life strategy
Why is there still no comprehensive “gold
standard’ of specific genes sequences that can,
without question, identify any biological material to
at least species level for all hunted African game?
This will require the typical mitochondrial gene
sequence used for plants and insects and 1 or 2
additional nuclear regions.
Projective Objective III
3.
Develop population level technologies to
access biodiversity levels within and
between populations of selected species.
We need technologies for determining
geographic variation within species,
inbreeding, parentage testing and overall
genetic fitness estimations.
These technologies will be based on
information from domestic animal and
livestock genomic sequencing projects
Wind Cave National Park bison herd
Bull breeding age vs. percentage of calves produced
0.35
Percentage of calves produced
0.3
0.25
2002
0.2
2003
2004
0.15
2005
2006
Average
0.1
0.05
0
1.5
2.5
3.5
4.5
5.5
6.5
7.5
Age of bull at breeding
8.5
9.5
10.5
11.5
12.5+
Project Objective IV
4. Produce detailed gene maps of
selected species using high
throughput 3rd generation sequencing
and/or microarray genotyping / gene
expression technologies to identify
genes that confer important heritable
traits such as those involving body and
horn size, behavior, fertility, overall
fitness and disease resistance.
Again, these gene maps will be based
on the genome databases derived
from genomic sequencing projects.
Now is the time for sportsmen associations, species
conservation groups and scientists to start systematically
archiving genetic material and health data and use
powerful new genomic technologies to help insure the
long-term conservation of healthy wildlife populations.
The ultimate goal is to develop resources and molecular
biology technologies to provide for conscientious
stewardship of African game species for healthy
populations and stainable trophy hunting.
.
Who pays for this?
The people who have the most to gain, the most to
give and have the passion for Africa and it’s
wildlife
Genetics and Genomic
Training, DNA samples and
Research
achieving
Private organizations that
support the industry such as
local Safari club chapters.
Sportsmen, hunters and
outfitters and their social
organizations.
Hunters
Conservation organizations
Private and Wildlife foundations
Federal and State governments
What can NAPHA provide?
Professional hunters are the key to the success of this effort. You are
most knowledgeable people regarding the animals, you know and
see the issues and have a strong vested interest in stainable
hunting of healthy populations. Hopefully you will agree that longterm stewardship of these species can benefit from the use of
genetic technologies.
1. As an industry, I am asking NAPHA to support the idea of DNA
banking and associated information collection from wildlife
species taken by hunters as the first step.
2. Communicate this information and frame the important questions
to the scientific community in order to set research priorities.
Also, collecting genetic samples is rewarding when you know you are
partnering with other disciplines in a worldwide effort to conserve these species.
With an eye toward the future…