Comparative ecophysiology of a critically endangered (CR) ectotherm: Implications for conservation management.

ABSTRACT: Captive breeding is a vital conservation tool for many endangered species programs. It is often a last resort when wild animal population numbers drop to below critical minimums for natural reproduction. However, critical ecophysiological information of wild counterparts may not be well documented or understood, leading to years of minimal breeding successes. We collected endocrine and associated ecological data on a critically endangered ectotherm concurrently in the wild and in captivity over several years. We tracked plasma concentrations of steroid stress and reproductive hormones, body condition, activity, and environmental parameters in three populations (one wild and two geographically distinct captive) of ploughshare tortoise (Astrochelys yniphora). Hormone profiles along with envi

SUBMITTER: Currylow AFT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5558934 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature