Scientific Reports (Jan 2021)

White-naped mangabeys’ viable insurance population within European Zoo Network

  • Carlos Iglesias Pastrana,
  • Francisco Javier Navas González,
  • María Josefa Ruiz Aguilera,
  • José Antonio Dávila García,
  • Juan Vicente Delgado Bermejo,
  • María Teresa Abelló

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-80281-6
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 1
pp. 1 – 17

Abstract

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Abstract The success and viability of an ex-situ conservation program lie in the establishment and potential maintenance of a demographically and genetically viable insurance population. Such population reserve may support reintroduction and reinforcement activities of wild populations. White-naped mangabeys are endangered restricted-range African primates which have experienced a dramatic population decrease in their natural habitats over the last few decades. Since 2001, some European zoos singularly monitor an ex-situ population aiming to seek the recovery of the current wild population. The aim of the present paper is to evaluate the genetic status and population demographics of European zoo-captive white-naped mangabeys based on pedigree data. The captive population is gradually growing and preserves specific reproductive and demographic parameters linked to the species. The intensive management program that is implemented has brought about the minimization of inbreeding and average relatedness levels, thus maintaining high levels of genetic diversity despite the existence of fragmented populations. This finding suggests white-naped mangabey ex-situ preservation actions may be a good example of multifaceted conservation throughout studbook management which could be used as a model for other ex-situ live-animal populations.