Management of hybridization in an endemic species: decision making in the face of imperfect information in the case of the black wildebeest—Connochaetes gnou.
Grobler, J. Paul Rushworth, Ian Brink, James S. Bloomer, Paulette Kotze, Antoinette Reilly, Brian Vrahimis, Savvas
Grobler, J. Paul
Rushworth, Ian
Brink, James S.
Bloomer, Paulette
Kotze, Antoinette
Reilly, Brian
Vrahimis, Savvas
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Abstract
Hybridization between introduced and endemic ungulates, resulting from anthropogenic actions, has been reported for several species. Several studies of such events contain the common themes of extralimital movements, problematic phenotypic and genetic detection, and imperfect management. In southern Africa, the endemic black wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou) currently faces a serious threat of hybridization and introgression. This species survived near extinction and consequent genetic bottlenecks in the late 1800s and in the 1930s. Initiatives by private farmers followed by conservation authorities led to a dramatic recovery in numbers of this species. However, in an ironic twist, the very same advances in conservation and commercial utilisation which led to the recovery of numbers are now detecting hybrid animals or herds, the lack of consensus on the fate of hybrid herds is discussed. Finally, in an environment of imperfect information, we caution against implementation of management responses that will potentially induce a new genetic bottleneck in C. gnou.
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Date
2011-08-05
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Springer
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Keywords
Connochaetes gnou, C. taurinus, Black wildebeest, Hybridization, Introgression