Certain species within the order Anura are relatively new in the context of exotic animals as pets, and the precise conditions required for their optimal care and well-being are still not well understood. This knowledge gap highlights the crucial need to develop effective strategies to measjournal oure the welfare of these animals. To address this need, the objective of this study was to review the existing literature on welfare indices related to amphibians kept under human care. A systematic review was conducted across eight scientific databases, with a focus on identifying relevant articles that explored welfare indices specifically within the order Anura. The search was performed using two specific keywords. In total, 1568 English language results were obtained. Following a refinement process, 19 articles were selected for further analysis. The most investigated welfare indices in amphibians included individual survival, life expectancy, reproduction, hibernation, and body condition. However, it is important to note that studies specifically examining the behavior of amphibians within the order Anura are limited in scope. It is evident that there is still much work to be conducted in order to gain a deeper understanding of the environmental conditions and cognitive processes that affect the well-being of these animals.
{"title":"Welfare Indices in Anurans under Human Care","authors":"Ethel Cortés Pérez, Ricardo Itzcóatl Maldonado Reséndiz","doi":"10.3390/jzbg4030043","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg4030043","url":null,"abstract":"Certain species within the order Anura are relatively new in the context of exotic animals as pets, and the precise conditions required for their optimal care and well-being are still not well understood. This knowledge gap highlights the crucial need to develop effective strategies to measjournal oure the welfare of these animals. To address this need, the objective of this study was to review the existing literature on welfare indices related to amphibians kept under human care. A systematic review was conducted across eight scientific databases, with a focus on identifying relevant articles that explored welfare indices specifically within the order Anura. The search was performed using two specific keywords. In total, 1568 English language results were obtained. Following a refinement process, 19 articles were selected for further analysis. The most investigated welfare indices in amphibians included individual survival, life expectancy, reproduction, hibernation, and body condition. However, it is important to note that studies specifically examining the behavior of amphibians within the order Anura are limited in scope. It is evident that there is still much work to be conducted in order to gain a deeper understanding of the environmental conditions and cognitive processes that affect the well-being of these animals.","PeriodicalId":228608,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens","volume":"43 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135981156","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ashley D. Franklin, Monica M. McDonald, Mary Agnew, Sarah Duncan, David M. Powell
The long-term sustainability of ex situ animal populations requires coordination across facilities through cooperative breeding programs. Here, we investigate the reasons for inconsistent reproductive success in the zoo-based North American Asian small-clawed otter (ASCO; Aonyx cinereus) population. Reproductive viability analysis (RVA) was used to identify which characteristics of ASCOs in breeding pairs were most predictive of reproductive success. The RVA identified pair type, contraception history, and age as the most significant predictors of offspring production. The use of deslorelin in males and long-term deslorelin use in females hinder future reproductive potential and should, therefore, be considered carefully in genetically valuable individuals and potential breeders. Moreover, genetically valuable animals should be paired with younger mates, as advancing male and female age decreases the likelihood of success. The lack of reproductive success observed after 1 year of attempted breeding among new pairs provides evidence of potential mate incompatibility, therefore, population managers should consider splitting up pairs that remain unsuccessful over time, because the likelihood of offspring production is low. Lastly, the inclusion of dens and/or caves and pools designed with ample shallow water areas in ASCO habitats may improve breeding success.
{"title":"Biological and Management-Related Predictors of Reproductive Success in North American Ex Situ Asian Small-Clawed Otters (Aonyx cinereus)","authors":"Ashley D. Franklin, Monica M. McDonald, Mary Agnew, Sarah Duncan, David M. Powell","doi":"10.3390/jzbg4030042","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg4030042","url":null,"abstract":"The long-term sustainability of ex situ animal populations requires coordination across facilities through cooperative breeding programs. Here, we investigate the reasons for inconsistent reproductive success in the zoo-based North American Asian small-clawed otter (ASCO; Aonyx cinereus) population. Reproductive viability analysis (RVA) was used to identify which characteristics of ASCOs in breeding pairs were most predictive of reproductive success. The RVA identified pair type, contraception history, and age as the most significant predictors of offspring production. The use of deslorelin in males and long-term deslorelin use in females hinder future reproductive potential and should, therefore, be considered carefully in genetically valuable individuals and potential breeders. Moreover, genetically valuable animals should be paired with younger mates, as advancing male and female age decreases the likelihood of success. The lack of reproductive success observed after 1 year of attempted breeding among new pairs provides evidence of potential mate incompatibility, therefore, population managers should consider splitting up pairs that remain unsuccessful over time, because the likelihood of offspring production is low. Lastly, the inclusion of dens and/or caves and pools designed with ample shallow water areas in ASCO habitats may improve breeding success.","PeriodicalId":228608,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens","volume":"16 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124935960","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Photobiomodulation therapy (cold laser or low-level laser therapy) has been evaluated in human and small animal medicine; however, there is a lack of knowledge about the role photobiomodulation therapy could play in reptile rehabilitation and release. This study used a quantifiable unit, Hounsfield units (bone density measurement), in computed tomography (CT) to evaluate if photobiomodulation therapy showed a significant healing difference between groups treated with photobiomodulation and those that were not. This study included 20 eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina) presented to a rehabilitation center that sustained shell fractures without penetrating the coelom. They all received similar medical treatments, except that the photobiomodulation group received 250 Hz of red light laser for three minutes three times a week for eight weeks. The turtles were evaluated over the course of two months of therapy. Computed tomography scans were performed prior to therapy, at the midpoint of treatment (one month postinjury), and at the end of the study (two months postinjury). The average Hounsfield units of the fractures were evaluated using nonparametric means, the Wilcoxon/Kruskal–Wallis tests (ranked sums), and found that there were no significant differences in shell density between the photobiomodulation and control groups amongst the scans. This study did find that there was a significant difference (p = 0.0455) between the two groups in regard to the width of the fracture between pre- and post-treatment scans. This study found that the photobiomodulation group had a significantly decreased width of the fracture site between pre-treatment and post-treatment measurements, showing that photobiomodulation could be a relatively easy and effective treatment to promote healing of fractured turtle shells.
{"title":"The Effects of Photobiomodulation Therapy on the Healing of Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina) Shells","authors":"Ashley R. Souza, C. Masterson, T. Harrison","doi":"10.3390/jzbg4030041","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg4030041","url":null,"abstract":"Photobiomodulation therapy (cold laser or low-level laser therapy) has been evaluated in human and small animal medicine; however, there is a lack of knowledge about the role photobiomodulation therapy could play in reptile rehabilitation and release. This study used a quantifiable unit, Hounsfield units (bone density measurement), in computed tomography (CT) to evaluate if photobiomodulation therapy showed a significant healing difference between groups treated with photobiomodulation and those that were not. This study included 20 eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina) presented to a rehabilitation center that sustained shell fractures without penetrating the coelom. They all received similar medical treatments, except that the photobiomodulation group received 250 Hz of red light laser for three minutes three times a week for eight weeks. The turtles were evaluated over the course of two months of therapy. Computed tomography scans were performed prior to therapy, at the midpoint of treatment (one month postinjury), and at the end of the study (two months postinjury). The average Hounsfield units of the fractures were evaluated using nonparametric means, the Wilcoxon/Kruskal–Wallis tests (ranked sums), and found that there were no significant differences in shell density between the photobiomodulation and control groups amongst the scans. This study did find that there was a significant difference (p = 0.0455) between the two groups in regard to the width of the fracture between pre- and post-treatment scans. This study found that the photobiomodulation group had a significantly decreased width of the fracture site between pre-treatment and post-treatment measurements, showing that photobiomodulation could be a relatively easy and effective treatment to promote healing of fractured turtle shells.","PeriodicalId":228608,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens","volume":"25 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129376423","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Swimming is an important behavior for all penguin species. However, zoo-housed penguins typically do not swim as often as their wild counterparts, which may have consequences for their health and welfare. In an effort to increase the swimming time of the African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) population at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, IL, USA (21 adults: 13 males, 8 females), we introduced a commercially available bubble curtain to the outdoor pool within the penguins’ habitat. The bubble curtain pushes pressurized air out through a hose fitted with small holes to create a stream of bubbles that generate water movement, which could entice penguins to swim. Over the course of 2 months, the penguins were exposed to a series of alternating conditions characterized by the bubble curtain being off or on for 2-week periods. A total of 228 swimming bouts were observed during this study. The bubble curtain did not increase the amount of time the penguins spent swimming, nor the maximum number of penguins in the pool during swim bouts. Rather, the penguins spent more time swimming when the bubble curtain was turned off, and the number of penguins in the pool during swim bouts was consistent across experimental phases. Additionally, we found that penguins swam the most when air temperatures were between 31 and 40 °F (approximately −1 to −4 °C). Unexpectedly, at least three individual penguins swam overnight between the hours of midnight and 6:00, highlighting the value of monitoring animals during entire 24 h periods. Collectively, this study provides detailed information about the swimming behavior of a zoo-housed African penguin population, and indicates that a bubble curtain was ineffective at stimulating swimming.
{"title":"The Impacts of a Commercial Bubble Curtain on Zoo-Housed African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) Swimming Behavior","authors":"Shannon L. O’Brien, Katherine A. Cronin","doi":"10.3390/jzbg4030040","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg4030040","url":null,"abstract":"Swimming is an important behavior for all penguin species. However, zoo-housed penguins typically do not swim as often as their wild counterparts, which may have consequences for their health and welfare. In an effort to increase the swimming time of the African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) population at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, IL, USA (21 adults: 13 males, 8 females), we introduced a commercially available bubble curtain to the outdoor pool within the penguins’ habitat. The bubble curtain pushes pressurized air out through a hose fitted with small holes to create a stream of bubbles that generate water movement, which could entice penguins to swim. Over the course of 2 months, the penguins were exposed to a series of alternating conditions characterized by the bubble curtain being off or on for 2-week periods. A total of 228 swimming bouts were observed during this study. The bubble curtain did not increase the amount of time the penguins spent swimming, nor the maximum number of penguins in the pool during swim bouts. Rather, the penguins spent more time swimming when the bubble curtain was turned off, and the number of penguins in the pool during swim bouts was consistent across experimental phases. Additionally, we found that penguins swam the most when air temperatures were between 31 and 40 °F (approximately −1 to −4 °C). Unexpectedly, at least three individual penguins swam overnight between the hours of midnight and 6:00, highlighting the value of monitoring animals during entire 24 h periods. Collectively, this study provides detailed information about the swimming behavior of a zoo-housed African penguin population, and indicates that a bubble curtain was ineffective at stimulating swimming.","PeriodicalId":228608,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens","volume":"21 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128970695","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Measurement of zoo animal welfare states enables improvement to husbandry and management to be evidence-based and implemented according to species’ needs. Theoretical welfare concepts are often discussed, and whilst it is helpful to ensure wide consensus across all stakeholders on what welfare comprises, practical application of such evidence-based information is as equally important. All species housed in zoos will have specific needs that must be met by their housing, husbandry, and care to enable them to thrive. Therefore, this paper examined how to identify key animal care needs and an animal’s responses to them to form a basis for species-specific welfare assessment approaches. There are examples of familiar-to-the-zoo species that still pose challenges regarding delivery of optimal husbandry and management. As such, the identification and evaluation of core concepts of the biology, behaviour, “needs and wants” of these species is required to support validation and refinement of physical, behavioural, and psychological welfare measures. This article evaluated the use of evidence to build capacity in welfare measurement for a familiar zoo-housed species, the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis, Linnaeus 1758), by outlining seven key needs and requirements that must be provided in the zoo (“giraffe W-E-L-F-A-R-E” = Warmth, Enrichment, Leaves, Feeding, Alfalfa, Rumination, Exercise). Provision of these inputs, and opportunities for all giraffes in a herd to engage with them, provides the foundation for further welfare assessment to be implemented. Specifically, the validation and measurement of mental states that are more likely to be positive if key behavioural and ecological needs have already been met. This paper advocated for this evidence-based approach to “welfare-focussed husbandry”, with distillation of key information that supports species-relevant care, to be developed for other zoo-housed species as support for their welfare assessment protocols. Such welfare-focussed husbandry is layered on top of the basic animal care requirements of the species in the zoo to ensure all individuals have the best opportunity to attain positive welfare states. In this way, and once validated, foundational welfare assessment can be easily completed by busy animal care staff, capacity is built into zoo operations as all stakeholders are aware of exactly what each species needs, and deeper dive welfare assessment (especially concerning animal mental states) can be targeted more effectively. Further evolution of these seven steps for the giraffe is suggested and extrapolation of this approach, to aid identification of key welfare indicators across all zoo-housed species, is encouraged.
{"title":"Identifying Essential Elements of Good Giraffe Welfare—Can We Use Knowledge of a Species’ Fundamental Needs to Develop Welfare-Focussed Husbandry?","authors":"P. Rose","doi":"10.3390/jzbg4030039","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg4030039","url":null,"abstract":"Measurement of zoo animal welfare states enables improvement to husbandry and management to be evidence-based and implemented according to species’ needs. Theoretical welfare concepts are often discussed, and whilst it is helpful to ensure wide consensus across all stakeholders on what welfare comprises, practical application of such evidence-based information is as equally important. All species housed in zoos will have specific needs that must be met by their housing, husbandry, and care to enable them to thrive. Therefore, this paper examined how to identify key animal care needs and an animal’s responses to them to form a basis for species-specific welfare assessment approaches. There are examples of familiar-to-the-zoo species that still pose challenges regarding delivery of optimal husbandry and management. As such, the identification and evaluation of core concepts of the biology, behaviour, “needs and wants” of these species is required to support validation and refinement of physical, behavioural, and psychological welfare measures. This article evaluated the use of evidence to build capacity in welfare measurement for a familiar zoo-housed species, the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis, Linnaeus 1758), by outlining seven key needs and requirements that must be provided in the zoo (“giraffe W-E-L-F-A-R-E” = Warmth, Enrichment, Leaves, Feeding, Alfalfa, Rumination, Exercise). Provision of these inputs, and opportunities for all giraffes in a herd to engage with them, provides the foundation for further welfare assessment to be implemented. Specifically, the validation and measurement of mental states that are more likely to be positive if key behavioural and ecological needs have already been met. This paper advocated for this evidence-based approach to “welfare-focussed husbandry”, with distillation of key information that supports species-relevant care, to be developed for other zoo-housed species as support for their welfare assessment protocols. Such welfare-focussed husbandry is layered on top of the basic animal care requirements of the species in the zoo to ensure all individuals have the best opportunity to attain positive welfare states. In this way, and once validated, foundational welfare assessment can be easily completed by busy animal care staff, capacity is built into zoo operations as all stakeholders are aware of exactly what each species needs, and deeper dive welfare assessment (especially concerning animal mental states) can be targeted more effectively. Further evolution of these seven steps for the giraffe is suggested and extrapolation of this approach, to aid identification of key welfare indicators across all zoo-housed species, is encouraged.","PeriodicalId":228608,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens","volume":"39 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133737714","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Knowledge about ecological conditions and processes in centers of endemism (CoEs) is still limited with respect to various systematic groups of organisms, ecosystem types, ecological conditions, and ecosystem services. We review the characterization, identification, and meaning of CoEs. Endemics play an increasing and prominent role in nature conservation monitoring and management and in the organization of zoos, aquaria, and botanical gardens. We examine the importance of different groups of organisms and indicators for the characterization of endemic-rich regions, e.g., with regard to the richness of endemics per region and degree of endemism, the importance of heterogeneity in space, continuity in time, isolation, and ex situ management for the survival of endemic species. Currently, conversion of land cover and land use change are the most important causes of biodiversity decline and extinction risk of endemic and endangered species. These are followed by climate change, including severe weather, and then natural processes such as volcanism, landslides, or tsunamis. For conservation purposes, the management of regional land use, zoos, aquaria, botanical gardens, and social aspects of the diversity of endemics and CoEs have to be taken into account as well. We find that the ex situ representation of endemics in general is limited, and conservation networks in this regard can be improved. We need better answers to questions about the relationship between ecoregions, CoEs and regional awareness of endemism, which is linked with human culture including aesthetics, well-being, health, and trade.
{"title":"Centers of Endemism and The Potential of Zoos and Botanical Gardens in Conservation of Endemics","authors":"C. Hobohm, N. Barker","doi":"10.3390/jzbg4030038","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg4030038","url":null,"abstract":"Knowledge about ecological conditions and processes in centers of endemism (CoEs) is still limited with respect to various systematic groups of organisms, ecosystem types, ecological conditions, and ecosystem services. We review the characterization, identification, and meaning of CoEs. Endemics play an increasing and prominent role in nature conservation monitoring and management and in the organization of zoos, aquaria, and botanical gardens. We examine the importance of different groups of organisms and indicators for the characterization of endemic-rich regions, e.g., with regard to the richness of endemics per region and degree of endemism, the importance of heterogeneity in space, continuity in time, isolation, and ex situ management for the survival of endemic species. Currently, conversion of land cover and land use change are the most important causes of biodiversity decline and extinction risk of endemic and endangered species. These are followed by climate change, including severe weather, and then natural processes such as volcanism, landslides, or tsunamis. For conservation purposes, the management of regional land use, zoos, aquaria, botanical gardens, and social aspects of the diversity of endemics and CoEs have to be taken into account as well. We find that the ex situ representation of endemics in general is limited, and conservation networks in this regard can be improved. We need better answers to questions about the relationship between ecoregions, CoEs and regional awareness of endemism, which is linked with human culture including aesthetics, well-being, health, and trade.","PeriodicalId":228608,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens","volume":"71 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131886665","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kayleigh Byrne, C. Collins, Mary Kate Bolger, Fidelma Butler
The COVID-19 pandemic forced many educators out of their traditional settings and into web-based learning environments. Zoos were no different, and throughout the pandemic they strived to reach their supporters using different approaches. By adapting quickly and using outreach activities and online learning, zoos continued to serve society through the pandemic. This study examined whether an in-person educational interaction with zoological specimens can enhance cognitive learning and increase primary-level students’ attitudes towards animals and science. Additionally, attention was drawn to the effectiveness of online learning methods for young pupils. A total of 165 paired questionnaires from primary-level students in three schools were analysed. Findings indicate significant positive increases in attitude but not in learning achievements. Thus, zoological specimens can be utilised for enhancing scientific attitudes in primary-level students. The effect of a face-to-face lesson on learning compared with online methods was positive but the difference was not statistically significant. This, taken together with a significant positive effect of a face-to-face lesson on attitude improvements, is sufficient to determine the importance of a traditional learning environment for students of this educational level. Additionally, gender differences relating to scientific attitudes and understanding are not apparent at primary level but this may become more apparent at secondary level. This research may be used for further investigations into the relationship between age, gender, and scientific learning. It may also be used to support studies examining the effectiveness of zoo outreach programs in schools versus zoo visits.
{"title":"Science Education in Primary Students in Ireland: Examining the Use of Zoological Specimens for Learning","authors":"Kayleigh Byrne, C. Collins, Mary Kate Bolger, Fidelma Butler","doi":"10.3390/jzbg4030037","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg4030037","url":null,"abstract":"The COVID-19 pandemic forced many educators out of their traditional settings and into web-based learning environments. Zoos were no different, and throughout the pandemic they strived to reach their supporters using different approaches. By adapting quickly and using outreach activities and online learning, zoos continued to serve society through the pandemic. This study examined whether an in-person educational interaction with zoological specimens can enhance cognitive learning and increase primary-level students’ attitudes towards animals and science. Additionally, attention was drawn to the effectiveness of online learning methods for young pupils. A total of 165 paired questionnaires from primary-level students in three schools were analysed. Findings indicate significant positive increases in attitude but not in learning achievements. Thus, zoological specimens can be utilised for enhancing scientific attitudes in primary-level students. The effect of a face-to-face lesson on learning compared with online methods was positive but the difference was not statistically significant. This, taken together with a significant positive effect of a face-to-face lesson on attitude improvements, is sufficient to determine the importance of a traditional learning environment for students of this educational level. Additionally, gender differences relating to scientific attitudes and understanding are not apparent at primary level but this may become more apparent at secondary level. This research may be used for further investigations into the relationship between age, gender, and scientific learning. It may also be used to support studies examining the effectiveness of zoo outreach programs in schools versus zoo visits.","PeriodicalId":228608,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens","volume":"7 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123423800","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. D’Antraccoli, A. Carta, G. Astuti, Jacopo Franzoni, Antonio Giacò, Manuel Tiburtini, Lorenzo Pinzani, L. Peruzzi
Scientific research is the main driver to push forward and disseminate botanical knowledge. Despite many institutions having this fundamental aim as a core activity, many of them do not have a complete set of facilities, expertise, staff, and resources to cover all the steps involved in the study, management, conservation, and popularization of plant diversity. Accordingly, we propose a workflow formalizing the cooperation between a botanical garden and a botanical research center, focused on the study of plant endemic species. Specifically, the cooperation was implemented between the PLANTSEED Lab of the Department of Biology and the Botanic Garden and Museum of the University of Pisa. We present seven representative case studies (Armeria arenaria complex, Bellevalia webbiana, Crocus etruscus and C. ilvensis, Dianthus virgineus complex, Pulmonaria hirta complex, and Santolina chamaecyparissus complex) to disentangle the approaches and opportunities arising from cooperative approaches, from laboratory to cultivation. We analyze the emerging properties derived from this synergistic cooperation by promoting open research questions and answering them using a comprehensive approach to improving endemic plant species research, conservation, and popularization in the botanical garden. In this manuscript, we show how a cooperative approach between heterogeneous botanical institutions can constitute an effective and easy-to-implement approach to achieve the goals of each partner involved in the cooperation.
{"title":"A Comprehensive Approach to Improving Endemic Plant Species Research, Conservation, and Popularization","authors":"M. D’Antraccoli, A. Carta, G. Astuti, Jacopo Franzoni, Antonio Giacò, Manuel Tiburtini, Lorenzo Pinzani, L. Peruzzi","doi":"10.3390/jzbg4020036","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg4020036","url":null,"abstract":"Scientific research is the main driver to push forward and disseminate botanical knowledge. Despite many institutions having this fundamental aim as a core activity, many of them do not have a complete set of facilities, expertise, staff, and resources to cover all the steps involved in the study, management, conservation, and popularization of plant diversity. Accordingly, we propose a workflow formalizing the cooperation between a botanical garden and a botanical research center, focused on the study of plant endemic species. Specifically, the cooperation was implemented between the PLANTSEED Lab of the Department of Biology and the Botanic Garden and Museum of the University of Pisa. We present seven representative case studies (Armeria arenaria complex, Bellevalia webbiana, Crocus etruscus and C. ilvensis, Dianthus virgineus complex, Pulmonaria hirta complex, and Santolina chamaecyparissus complex) to disentangle the approaches and opportunities arising from cooperative approaches, from laboratory to cultivation. We analyze the emerging properties derived from this synergistic cooperation by promoting open research questions and answering them using a comprehensive approach to improving endemic plant species research, conservation, and popularization in the botanical garden. In this manuscript, we show how a cooperative approach between heterogeneous botanical institutions can constitute an effective and easy-to-implement approach to achieve the goals of each partner involved in the cooperation.","PeriodicalId":228608,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens","volume":"49 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115560514","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
One of the main goals of zoos and aquariums (hereafter ‘zoos’) is to connect visitors with animals. Unfortunately, COVID-19 lockdowns resulted in these organizations closing around the globe, making this goal exceedingly difficult. During lockdowns, zoos became very resourceful and found alternative means to connect people with animals. Additional social media, webcams, and education resources were offered. What is unknown, however, is the extent to which people used these resources and what factors influenced this. This study, therefore, aimed to explore these questions through an online survey. Of the 302 participants who chose to stay connected to a zoo, the majority (82%) did so via social media, and just over half of the sample used webcams (51%). When asked why they stayed connected, 75% indicated that they did so for their own interest in animals, but some (36%) said they enjoyed sharing the animal information with family/friends. Zoo members were more likely to use education resources, and people with zoo work experience were more likely to share animal information. This study illustrates that zoo resources were utilized during lockdown and that demographic variables were associated with how and why people used them. The findings have implications for zoos post-COVID-19 and may be useful for promoting connections and well-being in certain cohorts of society.
{"title":"Connecting to Zoos and Aquariums during a COVID-19 Lockdown","authors":"Alaina M. Macri, D. Wells","doi":"10.3390/jzbg4020035","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg4020035","url":null,"abstract":"One of the main goals of zoos and aquariums (hereafter ‘zoos’) is to connect visitors with animals. Unfortunately, COVID-19 lockdowns resulted in these organizations closing around the globe, making this goal exceedingly difficult. During lockdowns, zoos became very resourceful and found alternative means to connect people with animals. Additional social media, webcams, and education resources were offered. What is unknown, however, is the extent to which people used these resources and what factors influenced this. This study, therefore, aimed to explore these questions through an online survey. Of the 302 participants who chose to stay connected to a zoo, the majority (82%) did so via social media, and just over half of the sample used webcams (51%). When asked why they stayed connected, 75% indicated that they did so for their own interest in animals, but some (36%) said they enjoyed sharing the animal information with family/friends. Zoo members were more likely to use education resources, and people with zoo work experience were more likely to share animal information. This study illustrates that zoo resources were utilized during lockdown and that demographic variables were associated with how and why people used them. The findings have implications for zoos post-COVID-19 and may be useful for promoting connections and well-being in certain cohorts of society.","PeriodicalId":228608,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens","volume":"59 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"126709204","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Botanic gardens play an increasingly important role in the conservation of global biodiversity. However, although botanical gardens periodically report the results of introducing certain species of native flora, they rarely attempt to summarize existing knowledge to make general recommendations regarding ex situ collections. The aim of this study was to analyze the many years of experience of the Tashkent Botanical Garden in creating and maintaining living collections of threatened species of Uzbekistan (the majority of which are endemic to the country or Central Asia) in order to identify species whose cultivation ex situ is advisable, and whose cultivation will not result in meaningful conservation. Careful analysis of the species introduction history revealed that a simple dichotomy of the introduction results (success/failure) appears to be an oversimplification. In terms of the cultivation success, the introduced plant species can rather be classified into three categories: success, failure, and dubious success. For many species whose introduction was earlier considered successful, the introduction success is questionable and further efforts to conserve these species ex situ should be abandoned. A decision tree and classification of threatened perennials for possible ex situ introduction are proposed and the species in TBG collections are tabulated according to the latter. Species considered unsuitable for ex situ conservation are recommended for quasi in situ conservation. Both approaches, ex situ and quasi in situ, should be intensively used as a part of an integral conservation strategy for preserving plant biodiversity.
{"title":"Living Collections of Threatened Plants in Botanic Gardens: When Is Ex Situ Cultivation Less Appropriate than Quasi In Situ Cultivation?","authors":"S. Volis","doi":"10.3390/jzbg4020034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg4020034","url":null,"abstract":"Botanic gardens play an increasingly important role in the conservation of global biodiversity. However, although botanical gardens periodically report the results of introducing certain species of native flora, they rarely attempt to summarize existing knowledge to make general recommendations regarding ex situ collections. The aim of this study was to analyze the many years of experience of the Tashkent Botanical Garden in creating and maintaining living collections of threatened species of Uzbekistan (the majority of which are endemic to the country or Central Asia) in order to identify species whose cultivation ex situ is advisable, and whose cultivation will not result in meaningful conservation. Careful analysis of the species introduction history revealed that a simple dichotomy of the introduction results (success/failure) appears to be an oversimplification. In terms of the cultivation success, the introduced plant species can rather be classified into three categories: success, failure, and dubious success. For many species whose introduction was earlier considered successful, the introduction success is questionable and further efforts to conserve these species ex situ should be abandoned. A decision tree and classification of threatened perennials for possible ex situ introduction are proposed and the species in TBG collections are tabulated according to the latter. Species considered unsuitable for ex situ conservation are recommended for quasi in situ conservation. Both approaches, ex situ and quasi in situ, should be intensively used as a part of an integral conservation strategy for preserving plant biodiversity.","PeriodicalId":228608,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens","volume":"124 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132669644","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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