Genomics, Genomics, Genetics and Genetics and Health: Health: African African Wildlife ConservationWildlife Conservation

Genomics, Genomics, Genetics and Genetics and Health: Health: African African Wildlife ConservationWildlife ConservationJames Derr, Professor

Veterinary PathobiologyTexas A&M UniversityCollege Station, Texas

1. WHY THE INTEREST IN GENETICS FOR WILDLIFE CONSERVATION?

2. HOW CAN WE USE THIS TECHNOLOGY TO BENEFIT THE HUNTING INDUSTRY AND WILDLIFE SPECIES?

3. WHAT AM I ASKING YOU (NAPHA) TO CONSIDER?

1. WHY THE INTEREST IN GENETICS FOR WILDLIFE CONSERVATION?

2. HOW CAN WE USE THIS TECHNOLOGY TO BENEFIT THE HUNTING INDUSTRY AND WILDLIFE SPECIES?

3. WHAT AM I ASKING YOU (NAPHA) TO CONSIDER?

My Objectives Today:My Objectives Today:

Why should we be interested in Why should we be interested in Genetics?Genetics?Why should we be interested in Why should we be interested in Genetics?Genetics?Species conservation is conservation of genes and their diversity.

Individual animals are really temporary repositories for their genes. Their genes were here before them and hopefully will still be here after their death.

Conservation genomics is the Conservation genomics is the use of biotechnology for the use of biotechnology for the conservation and restoration conservation and restoration

of biodiversityof biodiversity. .

Levels of genetic diversity are Levels of genetic diversity are directly proportional to a species directly proportional to a species long term ability to adapt, survive long term ability to adapt, survive

and thrive. and thrive.

Conservation genomics is the Conservation genomics is the use of biotechnology for the use of biotechnology for the conservation and restoration conservation and restoration

of biodiversityof biodiversity. .

Levels of genetic diversity are Levels of genetic diversity are directly proportional to a species directly proportional to a species long term ability to adapt, survive long term ability to adapt, survive

and thrive. and thrive.

Therefore, loss of genetic diversity Therefore, loss of genetic diversity is detrimental to overall population is detrimental to overall population

health and long-term survival.health and long-term survival.

Therefore, loss of genetic diversity Therefore, loss of genetic diversity is detrimental to overall population is detrimental to overall population

health and long-term survival.health and long-term survival.To date, one of the most detailed conservation genomics studies of any wildlife species focused on American bison. My research program alone has published over 20 scientific articles on bison genetics.

This species experienced severe and well documented population declines between 1800 and 1900 that reduced the census size of this species by over 99.9% (<500 animals).

The spectacular recovery to over 750,000 The spectacular recovery to over 750,000 animals present today is a testament to their animals present today is a testament to their genetic constitution and represents one of the genetic constitution and represents one of the most significant accomplishments in modern most significant accomplishments in modern

conservation biology. conservation biology.

The spectacular recovery to over 750,000 The spectacular recovery to over 750,000 animals present today is a testament to their animals present today is a testament to their genetic constitution and represents one of the genetic constitution and represents one of the most significant accomplishments in modern most significant accomplishments in modern

conservation biology. conservation biology.

We have learned a great deal from 15 years of bison genetic studies and now it’s time to start applying that knowledge base to the conservation of other mammalian species.

Conservation Genomics: African WildlifeConservation Genomics: African WildlifeConservation Genomics: African WildlifeConservation Genomics: African Wildlife

Africa is best known for the enormous diversity and richness

of its wildlife.

It has the greatest variety of large ungulates, or hoofed

mammals (some 90 species), of any continent.

We propose, using the bison studies as a model, to We propose, using the bison studies as a model, to expand the use of these genomic technologies for expand the use of these genomic technologies for

the benefit of African wildlife speciesthe benefit of African wildlife species

We propose, using the bison studies as a model, to We propose, using the bison studies as a model, to expand the use of these genomic technologies for expand the use of these genomic technologies for

the benefit of African wildlife speciesthe benefit of African wildlife species

These efforts are based on developing a systematic These efforts are based on developing a systematic plan to collect information and genetic samples from plan to collect information and genetic samples from captured or killed animals and archive this material captured or killed animals and archive this material with museums, zoos and universities within each with museums, zoos and universities within each

country.country.

I will briefly outline four broad objectives for these efforts. While the first objective is the absolute key to continued success of these genetic conservation efforts.

Project Objectives IProject Objectives IProject Objectives IProject Objectives I

1. 1. Establish a network of Establish a network of professional hunters for professional hunters for the systematic the systematic collection collection of genetic samples, of genetic samples, living tissues and living tissues and associated health dataassociated health data from harvested or from harvested or captured wildlife species captured wildlife species in Sub-Saharan Africain Sub-Saharan Africa. .

This will empower more people around the world to conduct research with African wildlife.

We propose to train the people most closely involved with each species in the field; The Professional Hunters:

We propose to train the people most closely involved with each species in the field; The Professional Hunters:

Collect DNA samples and tissues from killed or captured wildlife from at least two tissue sources:

Blood samples on FTA cards.Hair follicles pulled from the tip of the tail.Living cells from selected animals for future cloning needs.

Access the overall health of these animals through systematic screening for:

Evidence / documentation of infectious diseases.Evidence / documentation of external and internal parasites.

It is critical that all associated information, such as; species name, sex, estimated It is critical that all associated information, such as; species name, sex, estimated age, GPS location, trophy scoring results and any unusual traits be recorded and age, GPS location, trophy scoring results and any unusual traits be recorded and

associated with these genetics samples. This should become a routine procedure.associated with these genetics samples. This should become a routine procedure.

Training Professional Hunters Training Professional Hunters across Africa across Africa

Training Professional Hunters Training Professional Hunters across Africa across Africa

Educational videos of genetic collection and health assessments from killed or captured wildlife

Program Objectives IIProgram Objectives II

2. Fully develop rapid and economical individual species/subspecies identification technologies from multiple mitochondrial and nuclear genes. These technologies will be designed so that they can be conducted in any moderately outfitted laboratory.

FFor example, the BarCoding of life strategy or example, the BarCoding of life strategy FFor example, the BarCoding of life strategy or example, the BarCoding of life strategy

Why is there still no comprehensive “gold standard’ of specific genes sequences that can, without question, identify any biological material to at least species level for all hunted African game?

This will require the typical mitochondrial gene sequence used for plants and insects and 1 or 2 additional nuclear regions.

Projective Objective IIIProjective Objective III

3. Develop population level technologies to access biodiversity levels within and between populations of selected species.

We need technologies for determining geographic variation within species, inbreeding, parentage testing and overall genetic fitness estimations.

These technologies will be based on information from domestic animal and livestock genomic sequencing projects

Project Objective IVProject Objective IV

4. Produce detailed gene maps of selected species using high throughput 3rd generation sequencing and/or microarray genotyping / gene expression technologies to identify genes that confer important heritable traits such as those involving body and horn size, behavior, fertility, overall fitness and disease resistance. Again, these gene maps will be based on the genome databases derived from genomic sequencing projects.

The ultimate goal is to develop resources and molecular biology technologies to provide for conscientious stewardship of African game species for healthy populations and stainable trophy hunting.

..

Now is the time for sportsmen associations, species conservation groups and scientists to start systematically archiving genetic material and health data and use powerful new genomic technologies to help insure the long-term conservation of healthy wildlife populations.

Who pays for this?Who pays for this?

The people who have the most to gain, the most to give and have the passion for Africa and it’s

wildlife

Who pays for this?Who pays for this?

The people who have the most to gain, the most to give and have the passion for Africa and it’s

wildlife

Training, DNA samples and Training, DNA samples and achievingachieving

Private organizations that support the industry such as local Safari club chapters. Sportsmen, hunters and outfitters and their social organizations.

Genetics and Genomic ResearchGenetics and Genomic Research

HuntersConservation organizationsPrivate and Wildlife foundationsFederal and State governments

What can NAPHA provide?What can NAPHA provide?Professional hunters are the key to the success of this effort. You are

most knowledgeable people regarding the animals, you know and see the issues and have a strong vested interest in stainable hunting of healthy populations. Hopefully you will agree that long-term stewardship of these species can benefit from the use of genetic technologies.

1.1. As an industry, I am asking NAPHA to support the idea of DNA As an industry, I am asking NAPHA to support the idea of DNA banking and associated information collection from banking and associated information collection from wildlife wildlife species taken by huntersspecies taken by hunters as the first step. as the first step.

2.2. Communicate this information and frame the important questions to Communicate this information and frame the important questions to the scientific community in order to set research priorities.the scientific community in order to set research priorities.

Also, collecting genetic samples is rewarding when you know you are partnering with other disciplines in a worldwide effort to conserve these

species.

Also, collecting genetic samples is rewarding when you know you are partnering with other disciplines in a worldwide effort to conserve these

species.

With an eye toward the With an eye toward the future…future…With an eye toward the With an eye toward the future…future…