Chapters authored
Genetic Characterization of Jaguars (Panthera onca) in Captivity in Zoological Parks of Colombia
The construction of the pedigree of captive jaguars (Panthera onca) in zoological parks of Colombia was done using the analysis of the Regional Studbook for Jaguars and DNA analysis of 9 microsatellites of 20 Jaguars (n=20). The assignments for paternities and maternities were done with for the program CERVUS and the relationship between animals were established with the KINSHIP program. The analysis of the Studbook was done with SPARKS and PM2000 software generating the following values: genetic diversity for the population (GD=0.7832), potential genetic diversity (GD=0.9113), genic value (GV=0.7846), mean coefficient of inbreeding (F=0.0179), and the Mean KINSHIP (MK) for each individual. The averages of the observed and expected heterozygosity were 0.687 and 0.684 respectively. Nevertheless, a wild jaguar sample of 156 individuals obtained in Colombia substantially showed a higher degree of gene diversity (H = 0.87) than the Colombian captive jaguar population. Thus, the captive jaguar population retained 78 % of the gene diversity of the Colombian wild jaguar population. With this study the pedigree of the captive population of jaguars was built in order to develop an ex situ conservation plan for the species in the Colombian zoological parks.
Part of the book: Big Cats
Factors Characterizing Puberty in Ram Lambs of Four Breeds Raised under High Altitude Conditions
The aim of this study was to compare ram lambs of four Colombian wool breeds raised under high altitude conditions to describe evolution of semen characteristics, body development, and libido and plasma testosterone. Corriedale, Hampshire, Romney Marsh, and Creole rams were enrolled since the age of 4 months for libido and testosterone (maximum, mean and amplitude) assessment, whereas semen collection was performed between 6 and 11 months of age by use of electro-ejaculation. Beside analysis of variables in function of breed and over time, a semen maturity score, considering semen volume, mass motility, individual progressive motility, concentration and % of living spermatozoa was established in function of adult rams’ reference data. Colombian Creole displayed significantly higher results regarding all variables and showed the most important body development at each time point of the study.
Part of the book: Breeding Strategies for Healthy and Sustainable Development of Animal Husbandry