Zoo Biology最新文献

{"title":"Integrating Biobanking Into Conservation Practice: The Development and Impact of the EAZA Biobank.","authors":"Christina Hvilsom, Philippe Helsen, Alexander Ball, Andrew Mooney, Susan Lorene Walker, Imke Wiemann, Andrew C Kitchener, Baptiste Mulot, Louise Gibson, Jörns Fickel, Anna Mekarska, Elmar Fienieg, Zjef J J M Pereboom","doi":"10.1002/zoo.70103","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.70103","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Zoological biobanks are becoming essential tools in conservation, offering a means to preserve genetic material and support in situ population management amid accelerating biodiversity loss. With rapid advances in genomics, cryopreservation, and assisted reproduction technologies, biobanks enable a proactive approach to providing insurance against genetic erosion and facilitating future research, supplementation, and genetic rescue. However, to be effective, zoological biobanks must be purposefully designed, strategically integrated into conservation frameworks such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), and regularly evaluated for coverage and impact. Using the EAZA Biobank as an example, we outline the structure, development, and collaborative foundations that have enabled its rapid growth, built on community support and conservation impact. Leveraging EAZA's institutional network and data-sharing platforms such as ZIMS, the Biobank employs a decentralized, four-hub model of zoological institutions storing samples. A gap analysis, integrating threat status, breeding programs, genomic data repositories, and phylogenetic diversity, highlights current sampling strengths and deficiencies and guides future collection priorities. The integration of specimen-specific genomic data and the EAZA Biobank Cryonetwork of institutions with expertise in storing and generating gametes and cell lines will expand the Biobank's role in population management and conservation. Zoological biobanks must now evolve alongside advances in biotechnology and genomics. Sample collection strategies should serve conservation needs and anticipate future applications in genomics, cryobiology, and conservation medicine, linking biospecimens with the wealth of data generated from them. This approach should be scalable beyond EAZA, forming the foundation of a global standardized biobanking framework. Ultimately, zoological biobanks are not merely repositories of the past-they are essential infrastructures shaping the future potential of species conservation.</p>","PeriodicalId":24035,"journal":{"name":"Zoo Biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148971588","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Social Dynamics in Zoo-Housed Bush Dogs (Speothos venaticus) Following Group Changes.","authors":"Alice S Clark, Veronica B Cowl, Jane L Hurst, Lisa Holmes, Paula Stockley","doi":"10.1002/zoo.70109","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.70109","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bush dogs (Speothos venaticus) are cooperatively breeding South American canids with relatively unstudied behavior. Here, we study a group of zoo-housed bush dogs to investigate the impact of pack structure changes on their collective movements, social hierarchy and social network structure. Data were collected on dominance interactions and group movements within the pack over 10 months, split into three phases: (1) during the pregnancy of the breeding female, (2) post-pup birth, and (3) post-removal of an adult female. Our results indicate that in this pack, bush dogs formed a single social hierarchy with the breeding male as the highest-ranking member, contrasting with a previous study finding separate male and female hierarchies. However, this difference may be due to the physical limitations of the breeding female in our study, caused by pregnancy and old age. Submission behaviors contributed more to social rank than dominance behaviors. Following the pup birth, the linearity and steepness of the social hierarchy and the frequency of submission behaviors in the group increased, while the female that was least related to the breeding female became the lowest ranking group member. The subsequent removal of this low-ranking female had minimal impact on social structure. Higher-ranking individuals initiated more single-file lines, likely facilitating cooperative hunting and group travel. This study contributes valuable insights into the social structure and dynamics of a zoo-housed bush dog group and provides a basis for the use of David's score and social network analysis to monitor bush dog social groups to inform ex-situ management.</p>","PeriodicalId":24035,"journal":{"name":"Zoo Biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148881883","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Testicular Echobiometry and Sperm Characterization in Oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus) From the Caatinga Biome.","authors":"Yuri Gonçalves Matos, Herlon Victor Rodrigues Silva, Bruna Farias Brito, Patrícia Vasconcelos Alves, Romário Parente Dos Santos, Andreia Maria da Silva, Alexsandra Fernandes Pereira, Wojciech Janusz Niżański, Alexandre Rodrigues Silva","doi":"10.1002/zoo.70107","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.70107","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Among neotropical small felids, the Leopardus tigrinus is classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, but studies on reproductive morphology and physiology are scarce for conservation strategies. This study aimed to describe testicular biometry and sperm characteristics of L. tigrinus from Ceará, Brazil, in the Caatinga biome. Four animals (≥ 2.3 ± 0.3 years old; 2.5 ± 0.2 kilograms) were chemically restrained with a combination of dexmedetomidine and ketamine. Testicular parenchyma was assessed by ultrasonography, with volumes calculated using Lambert and ellipsoid formulas. Semen was collected by electroejaculation, and macroscopic (volume, color) and microscopic parameters (concentration, motility, viability, hypoosmotic swelling test) were evaluated. Morphology and morphometry were described, and samples were processed for scanning electron microscopy. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism software. Results showed that testicular volume calculated by the Lambert and ellipsoid formulas was 3.11 ± 0.21 cm³ and 2.29 ± 0.16 cm³, respectively. Ejaculates had 237.5 ± 89.9 µL volume, 1.4 ± 0.7 × 10⁹ sperm/mL concentration, 55.0 ± 15.4% motility, 3.5 ± 0.3 vigor, 51.8 ± 16.8% viability, 75.0 ± 8.6% hypoosmotic response, and 60.8 ± 10.2% morphologically normal spermatozoa. Morphometric analysis described a total length of 29.50 ± 0.10 µm. Ultrastructural evaluation allowed a more detailed description of the sperm morphology, defining the sperm head of oncillas as oval-shaped, the sperm neck, and the acrosomal regions (equatorial and apical segments). Thus, this study advances knowledge on L. tigrinus reproductive morphophysiology, emphasizing the application of testicular ultrasonography in the species and providing crucial data on sperm characteristics for implementation of reproductive biotechnologies as a conservation strategy.</p>","PeriodicalId":24035,"journal":{"name":"Zoo Biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148875795","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Roaring to Go: Engagement With Positive Reinforcement Training as a Valid and Reliable Indicator of Positive Welfare in Zoo Big Cats.","authors":"Kalliopi Angelakopoulos, Aurelie Jolivald","doi":"10.1002/zoo.70102","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.70102","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Engagement with positive reinforcement training is a non-invasive, easily recorded, and valid indicator of welfare in captive bottlenose dolphins. However, despite the ubiquitousness of training programs in zoo-housed mammals in accredited zoos, this metric has yet to be explored as a welfare indicator in other species. Thus, this pilot study aimed to determine whether engagement with training is a reliable and valid welfare indicator in zoo-housed felids. Using Likert scales, two observers scored the Willingness to Participate, Approach to the trainer, and Focus of three felids housed at Attica Zoological Park (Greece) during 34 training sessions. After each session, behavioral richness and the frequency of expression of behaviors indicative of positive and negative affective states were derived from 2 h of instantaneous focal behavioral observations. Intraclass correlations showed excellent agreement in the two observers' scores for Willingness to Participate, Approach, and Focus during the sessions (all ICC > 0.9). The three facets of engagement with training were strongly interrelated (Spearman correlations, all r > 0.5, all p < 0.01). Further, Willingness to Participate and Focus were significantly positively associated with the frequency of expression of behaviors indicative of a positive affective state (GLMM: p < 0.001) and behavioral richness (GLMM: p = 0.013), respectively. The strength of those associations in our small sample suggests that further research in a larger sample of felids and institutions is warranted to investigate engagement with training as a promising, valid, and reliable positive welfare indicator in zoo-housed felids.</p>","PeriodicalId":24035,"journal":{"name":"Zoo Biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148875807","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Morbidity and Mortality in Zoo-Housed Daurian Pikas (Ochotona dauurica).","authors":"Maya L Iyer, Stephanie H Zec, Anne E Rivas","doi":"10.1002/zoo.70085","DOIUrl":"10.1002/zoo.70085","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>An investigation was conducted into the causes of morbidity and mortality in a breeding colony of Daurian pikas (Ochotona dauurica) housed at the Minnesota Zoo. Gross necropsy and histopathology records from all animals that died between 2011 and 2016 were reviewed to identify causes of death and associated comorbidities. Post-mortem tissue mineral panel data were also evaluated. A total of 69 necropsies were performed during the study period, with 30 cases having complete histopathology available for analysis. No animals survived to the geriatric age class. The most common cause of mortality was systemic abscessation (n = 11) secondary to a Gram-negative, non-fermenting, rod-shaped bacterium identified as Castellaniella sp. Other confirmed causes of death included traumatic hemorrhage (n = 4), hepatic necrosis (n = 2), hemorrhagic enteritis (n = 1), and myocardial necrosis (n = 1). Hemothorax occurred in two animals within 24 h of venipuncture. Frequently observed comorbidities included cachexia of undetermined origin (n = 18), cutaneous ascariasis (n = 8), oxyuriasis (n = 8), coccidiosis (n = 5), dental malocclusion (n = 4), hepatic hemosiderosis (n = 3), and small intestinal non-hemolytic Escherichia coli infection (n = 3). Elevated tissue iron concentrations were also detected in several individuals, suggesting potential species sensitivity to iron overload. This review provides important baseline data on morbidity and mortality in managed Daurian pika populations and highlights the need for further research into their husbandry, nutrition, and medical management to improve welfare and survival under human care.</p>","PeriodicalId":24035,"journal":{"name":"Zoo Biology","volume":" ","pages":"598-602"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148259784","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Shrimp Pleopods as a Novel Feed Item in the Diet of Adult Seahorses.","authors":"Bruna Larissa Maganhe, Laura de Oliveira Camilo, Hugo Gallo Neto, Eduardo Gomes Sanches","doi":"10.1002/zoo.70084","DOIUrl":"10.1002/zoo.70084","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>There has been a growing interest in identifying alternative feed ingredients and additives for aquaculture. Although seahorses generally do not accept commercial aquafeeds, among the residues of shrimp processing, the legs-or pleopods-resemble small crustaceans and may be accepted as frozen prey by adult animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the nutritional composition and lipid profile of marine shrimp (Xiphopenaeus kroyeri) pleopods (Plop) and a conventional food item, shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) post-larvae (Ptla), and to assess their effects on the performance of adult seahorses (Hippocampus reidi). In addition, the effects of pleopod as a single food source on body reserves and reproductive potential were evaluated. The diets were assessed for caloric content, proximate composition, and lipid profile. Twenty adult specimens of H. reidi were subjected to a 90-day trial to assess performance, and a subset of 10 individuals was further evaluated for histological parameters. Plop exhibited a higher proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) with chains shorter than 20 carbons compared to Ptla, while both diets presented adequate levels of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs; chains of 20 carbons or more). In this study, Plop resulted in improved animal performance. More than 80% of the individuals evaluated exhibited medium to high body reserves, along with a progressive increase in hepatocyte vacuolation and in both the size and number of vitellogenic oocytes. Considering its easy accessibility, low commercial cost, and the fact that Plop does not require culturing systems, it represents a promising alternative feed resource for ornamental aquaculture and public aquaria.</p>","PeriodicalId":24035,"journal":{"name":"Zoo Biology","volume":" ","pages":"580-588"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148259782","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Multiple Environmental Factors on Display and Location of Abnormal Behaviors in Captive Brown Bears (Ursus arctos): Individuality and Welfare Management.","authors":"Ana Isabel Soriano, Dolors Vinyoles, Carmen Maté","doi":"10.1002/zoo.70071","DOIUrl":"10.1002/zoo.70071","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In captivity, ursids are more susceptible to displaying abnormal behaviors due to the seasonal variation in their particular biology concerning food resources, home range size, denning, or reproduction. We studied five brown bear females housed in two centers: Barcelona Zoo and Vallcalent Wildlife Recovery Centre. The data sampling involved a multi-focal and continuous recording of the duration, interval, rate, and location of abnormal behaviors. This study investigated the relationships among display and location of abnormal behaviors and multiple environmental factors: the season, time of day, temperature, humidity, wind speed and number of visitors through the analysis of generalized linear models. The observations showed a high individual variability of the abnormal behaviors displayed: one female displayed bar licking and swaying simultaneously, three other females displayed only one type -log biting, head-tossing and pacing-, while another female did not display any type. The duration of log biting was associated with season and temperature. The rate of head-tossing was associated with time of day, its interval was associated with season, time of day, temperature, humidity, and number of visitors; meanwhile, its location was associated with all environmental factors. The bar licking location was associated with temperature. The swaying duration was associated with time of day, humidity, and wind speed; meanwhile, its location was associated with temperature. These females tended to display abnormal behaviors in specific places of the enclosure. For the welfare of bears in captivity, it is crucial to disentangle the relationship between current and past single or multiple environmental and individual factors and the individuality of abnormal behaviors.</p>","PeriodicalId":24035,"journal":{"name":"Zoo Biology","volume":" ","pages":"524-543"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147864473","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correction to \"Larger Than Life? Body Mass Records of Zoo-Managed Giant Anteaters (Myrmecophaga Tridactyla)\".","authors":"","doi":"10.1002/zoo.70093","DOIUrl":"10.1002/zoo.70093","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":24035,"journal":{"name":"Zoo Biology","volume":" ","pages":"649"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148798593","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Limited Effects of Temperature on Captive Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) Growth.","authors":"Kylie S Soniak, Rod N Williams, Lewis Single, Nicholas G Burgmeier, Jason T Hoverman","doi":"10.1002/zoo.70086","DOIUrl":"10.1002/zoo.70086","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Amphibians are among the most threatened vertebrates, with 41% of species at risk of extinction due to factors such as habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. One such species, the Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis), has experienced significant population declines, particularly in Indiana. Conservation efforts, including captive breeding and rearing, have been initiated to mitigate these losses. However, the rearing conditions that optimize the growth of this species in captivity are understudied. Higher temperatures are known to increase amphibian growth, but many captive rearing facilities rear Eastern Hellbenders at relatively low temperatures (e.g., 16°C). Our goal was to assess the effects of rearing temperature on Eastern Hellbender growth under captive rearing conditions. Eastern Hellbenders (N = 207) were reared at two temperatures (16°C and 21°C) at the Indianapolis Zoo. Every 8 weeks from February 2023 to July 2024, we collected mass and total body length on each individual to assess changes over time. Contrary to predictions, we found no evidence that higher temperatures increased the growth (mass or total length) of Eastern Hellbenders. This suggests that Eastern Hellbender growth is unlikely to be influenced by the rearing temperatures used at most captive facilities. These results challenge assumptions about the role of temperature in captive rearing outcomes and suggest that future research focus on other variables (e.g., diet, density) that might enhance captive-rearing efficiency.</p>","PeriodicalId":24035,"journal":{"name":"Zoo Biology","volume":" ","pages":"638-642"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13650792/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148259804","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dietary and Ranging Behavior of Semi-Free Ranging Lemur catta and Varecia rubra at Myakka City Lemur Reserve, Florida, USA.","authors":"Ethan Gulledge, Hannah L Lyles, Lydia E O Light, Taylor Fisher, Elizabeth Gandy, Bruce Holst, Timothy D Bransford, Erik R Patel","doi":"10.1002/zoo.70080","DOIUrl":"10.1002/zoo.70080","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lemurs are severely threatened due to anthropogenic habitat loss and climate change. Therefore, understanding how lemurs adapt their diets to novel habitats is critically important for maintaining healthy wild populations and effectively managing captive populations. Here we present two case studies of the dietary and ranging behavior of semi-free ranging ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta; two groups) and red ruffed lemurs (Varecia rubra; two groups) at the Myakka City Lemur Reserve managed by the Lemur Conservation Foundation. We found that ring-tailed lemurs spent 64.5% of their time resting and 13.4% foraging and feeding. The most important food types for ring-tailed lemurs were mature leaves (55.9%) and detritus (12.6%); however, they consumed nine other food types, including living animals (0.7%). Ring-tailed lemurs consumed 14 plant species, 9 of which have not previously been reported. Home ranges for the two ring-tailed lemur groups were 0.18 ha and 0.20 ha, representing 9.7% and 11.4% of their forested enclosures. Ring-tailed lemurs foraged primarily within one meter from the ground. Red ruffed lemurs spent 44.9% resting and 29.6% foraging and feeding. The most important food types for red ruffed lemurs were young leaves (32.9%), mature leaves (22.0%), flower buds (15.7%), and unripe fruit (11.9%) with only three other food types consumed. Red ruffed lemurs consumed 43 different species, all of which have not been previously reported. Home ranges for the two red ruffed lemur groups were 0.83 ha and 0.87 ha representing 40.8% and 55.9% of their forested enclosures. Red ruffed lemurs also foraged primarily within one meter from the ground. This is one of very few published studies on semi-free ranging ring-tailed lemurs outside Madagascar and the first dietary study on semi-free ranging red ruffed lemurs outside Madagascar. We hope that these results can be used to inform management practices among captive lemur populations, other primates, and other taxa living in novel environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":24035,"journal":{"name":"Zoo Biology","volume":" ","pages":"559-571"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13650784/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148035941","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}