MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

Abstract:The maned wolf is the largest canid of central South America. The markings resemble that of a fox, and the size is similar to that of a wolf, but this species is not closely related to either. In 2008, the maned wolf was classified as a threatened species. The sole population that inhabits South America was estimated to only have about 13,000 mature individuals left (IUCN 2014). Through a coordinated Species Survival Plan, North American zoos are developing a protected population of maned wolves. However due to their solitary nature, breeding in captivity has become a significant issue. Artificial insemination has not yet been successful, so I propose that the use of in-vitro fertilization techniques be implemented into breeding captive maned wolves to stabilize the population. Reproductive biologists at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) have uncovered hormone patterns and new sperm cyroprotectants that may strongly increase conception rates. Rodden, a resident SCBI researcher, identified a high frequency of approach behavior in pairs of wolves that have an affinity towards one another. This procedure can help determine a successful breeding pair. Maned wolf sperm has proven to be very sensitive to traditional preservation methods. Wildt, the head scientist at SCBI, uncovered the use of dimethyl sulfate as a positive cyroprotectant, enabling new methods to be applied during breeding. If these new techniques are completed successfully the population could become stable in number and preserve genetic material. Application to other threatened canids enables the potential to save more animal species.

WC:249

Reader Profile:I imagine a skeptical proposal reviewer from the World Wildlife Fund concerned about the revolutionary techniques not working.

Reader Response: I understand the species is fragile in numbers but the techniques could lead to increased loss of genetics. In vitro fertilization is also very expense to be testing. The wolves in captivity are even more isolated which could play into their solitary nature. Breeding successfully may not be an option in captivity.

H -- doesn't in vitro help address the problem of solitary wolf habits? And, with programs attached to the community of zoos, we can gather sperm in such ways to improve genetic diversity? Or is the entire population so small as to drive this central reproductive problem.

I see that this listing of endangered is rather new, which adds a great deal of exigence to the entire project.