% of females Introduction: The Philippines Crocodile is a critically endangered species found in a small range of islands in the Philippines. The species is under threat from habitat destruction and practices such as dynamite fishing. The number of individuals surviving in the wild may be only in the hundreds. To protect this species Zoos Victoria has a captive breeding program. For this program to be successful, both males and female offspring need to be produced. Hypothesis: The gender of hatchlings is determined by the temperature at which eggs are incubated. In your log book you should record at least three new facts you find out today about the Philippines Crocodile. Method: Philippines Crocodile eggs laid at Melbourne Zoo were removed from the nest at 2 days and incubated at one of the following temperatures: Philippines Crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis ) - the effects of temperature on sex determination. Results: Use your log book to record the temperatures at which eggs were incubated and the sex of the individual that hatched from them. Show your results on the graph below. Don t forget to label the axis. 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 Conclusion: Summarise your findings. Explain how they could be of use to captive breeding programs. Explain, with respect to climate change, what your results may mean for the long term survival of the Philippines Crocodile in the wild. The graph shows a clear trend that as incubation temperature increases, the percentage of females that hatch decreases. This knowledge can be used in captive breeding programs to ensure an equal ratio of males to females are produced. It could also be used to address any imbalances within the captive population. For example, if there is a shortage of females, incubating eggs at 28 C will help alleviate this problem. With respect to climate change it may be expected that as the planet warms, the percentage of female crocodiles that hatch will decrease, potentially to the point where no females hatch in the wild any more. 28 C, 29 C, 30 C, 31 C, 32 C, and 33 C In your log book record the temperature each egg was incubated at and the gender of the crocodile that hatched from it. Calculate the percentage of females that hatched at each temperature increment. After the eggs hatched the gender of each of the hatchlings was recorded. 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 Incubation Temperature C Can you see any trends on your graph? Describe them below: - At the lower temperatures; 28 C to 29 C, only female crocodiles hatch. - At the midrange temperatures; 30 C to 31 C, there is an equal ratio of male to female hatchlings. -At the upper temperatures; 32 C to 33 C, only male crocodiles hatch.
No. of males calling Introduction: The Southern Corroboree Frog (SCF) is a critically endangered species found Mt Kosiosko. Since 1989 the wild population has declined dramatically. It is believed that this is primarily due to the introduction of the chytrid fungus Batrotrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) Hypothesis: Due to the affects of Batrotrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) the Southern Corroboree Frog population has declined further in 2016. In your log book you should record the following: - diagram of the lifecycle of Bd - name of the frog species which is believed to be spreading Bd through the SCF s habitat Method: Male calls are believed to be a good indication of population health. Listen to the recordings of wild populations provided and record in your log book how many different males you can hear each year. The effects of the introduced fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis on wild populations of the Southern Corroboree Frog Results: Add your results to the graph below. 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 Southern Corroboree Frog Population 0 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 What has happened to the wild population of SCF since 1999? Since 1999 the wild population of Southern Corroboree Frogs has declined from approximately 380 to 6. Use your graph to predict the SCF population in 2017 If the current trend for dramatic decline continues the Southern Corroboree Frog will be extinct in the wild by 2017. What can you infer about the wild SCF population? Due to the small size of the SCF population, it is likely that there would be very low genetic diversity and the population is likely to be at risk of extinction. Year Conclusion: What is the likely future for the wild SCF population? It is highly likely that the wild population of Southern Corroboree Frogs will become extinct in the near future. Explain what is being done to recover the wild population: Southern Corroboree Frogs are being bred in captivity. Some of the eggs produced are kept and hatched in captivity to make up part of the long term captive breeding program. The remainder of the eggs are taken to Kosciusko National Park and placed in water bodies there to supplement the wild population. Small chytrid-free zones have also been created within the frog s wild habitat. These are fenced off areas that Southern Corroboree Frogs can live and reproduce naturally in, that other amphibians are unable to enter.
Introduction: The Asian Elephant is an endangered species whose numbers are still decreasing. Many Zoo Based Conservation Organisations are taking part in a breeding program. Why do you think Zoos Victoria is trying to breed elephants in captivity? There are several correct answers to this question: For research purposes; there has been little breeding of elephants in captivity. To maintain the physical and mental wellbeing of the elephant herd at Melbourne Zoo. To maintain the captive Australia/New Zealand population in order to avoid having to import more elephants. Hypothesis: It is possible to predict the optimal time for Artificial Insemination through testing. Method: In order to identify the oestrus cycle of female Asian Elephant Nam Oi, blood samples were taken on a regular basis. When her cycle had been determined Artificial Insemination (AI) was performed using sperm from Perth Zoo bull Putra Mas. Blood samples were then taken again daily to establish whether AI had been successful or not. In you logbook you should explain: - How the blood samples are taken. - The Artificial Insemination process - The steps keepers take to limit the size of the elephant calf. Techniques for successful artificial insemination of a female Asian Elephant (Elephus maximus) at Melbourne Zoo. Results: Use the graph to answer the questions below. - At what date AI took place. Artificial insemination took place over the 11th and 12th of August, 2014. - Whether AI was successful or not. Artificial insemination was successful. This was confirmed two ways - through ultrasound and by Nam Oi s increased progesterone levels. - If AI was successful when Nam Oi s calf will be born. Nam Oi s calf is expected to be born in July 2016. Conclusion: Assuming the pregnancy is successful, and a calf is born, predict what will happen when it matures: - If it is female: If the calf is female she will remain at Melbourne Zoo with the herd it was born into, as it would in the wild. - If it is male: If the calf is male he will need to be moved to another location upon reaching sexual maturity. This location is determined by the elephant studbook keeper, someone who oversees the captive breeding of all elephants in Zoos around the world. Their role is to maintain a healthy, viable and genetically diverse captive population. What elements will Australian Zoos have to take into consideration for a successful long term elephant breeding program? - There is limited space available for elephant housing. - Frozen semen does not remain viable; if we can find out how to keep it viable new genetic material can potentially be introduced from overseas. - A high proportion (80%) of AI calves are male. This could lead to a huge gender imbalance in the breeding program. This needs to be investigated.
Introduction: The Helmeted Honeyeater is Victoria s Bird Emblem and one of Australia s most endangered species. It has been bred in captivity since 1989. Cross fostering has been an important element of the captive breeding program. In your logbook draw a diagram or flowchart that explains the process of cross fostering. Mathematical models are often used to predict future population sizes in endangered species breeding programs. Hypothesis: Cross fostering will result in a significant population increase when used over three generations. Method: Using a mathematical model, predict the outcome of cross fostering; 52 Helmeted Honeyeaters are divided evenly into 2 breeding groups, Group A and Group B. Group A acts a control group and is allowed to breed normally producing one clutch per year. Group B has all eggs removed and cross fostered from the first clutch so then produces a second clutch. The model will have a following parameters; - Each pair produces a clutch of two eggs. - Both eggs hatch and produce one male and one female. - These hatchlings survive and are able to breed the following year. - The original 52 birds will breed each year. All hatchlings will breed each year after they are born and increase the number of the group they came from. - Inbreeding will be allowed in the model. Cross fostering of Helmeted Honeyeater (Lichenstomas melanops cassidix) eggs with Yellow-tufted Honeyeaters (L.m.meltoni) to increase young produced per season. Results: Completed in the table below. Group A Group B Difference Year 1 52 78 26 Year 2 104 234 130 Year 3 208 702 494 Total 364 1014 650 Which group produces the most young each year? Each year Group B will produce more young. What happens to the difference between group A and group B as each year passes? Each year the difference between Group A and Group B increases. Discussion: What are the limitations of the mathematical model? - Not all pairs may lay two eggs each clutch. - Clutches cannot be guaranteed to produce one male and one female. - Not all pairs may lay a second clutch after the first is removed. - Not all eggs may hatch or hatchlings survive to maturity. - Not all adult individuals may survive over the three studies. What are the potential problems that could arise from the cross fostering program? There is a risk that the Tufted Honeyeaters may reject the eggs, or the Helmeted Honeyeaters may not lay another clutch. The Helmeted Honeyeater chicks could potentially learn behaviours that are specific to Tufted Honeyeaters. Explain whether or not you would recommend cross fostering. Students should give their own opinion based on what they have found out. Your working out should be recorded in your log book.
Quantitative Data Collection Asian Elephant Name of observer(s): Day/Date: Time: Circle one of each Individual observed: Bong Su / Mek Kapah / Dokkoon / Nam Oi / Kulab / Mali / Ongard / Man Jai Age: Calf / Adult Sex: Male / Female Weather: Sunny / Overcast / Raining Hot / Warm / Cold Still / Windy Use the behaviour key to record your animal s behaviour every seconds. 1 9 17 25 33 2 10 18 26 34 3 11 19 27 35 4 12 20 28 36 5 13 21 29 37 6 14 22 30 38 7 15 23 31 39 8 16 24 32 40
Helmeted Honeyeaters - log book information Helmeted Honeyeater pair build nest and female lays and sits on eggs. On day four eggs are removed and nest is dismantled by keepers. Eggs are placed in Tufted Honeyeater nest to be incubated and raised. Helmeted Honeyeaters build a replacement nest and lay a second clutch of eggs, which they go on to raise. Population modelling: There are 52 Helmeted Honeyeaters who are divided into 2 breeding groups Group A (control) and Group B (cross fostered first clutch) Group A: Year 1: 26 birds = 13 breeding pairs, and each pair produces 1 clutch of 2 eggs. 13 pairs X 2 eggs = 26 offspring 26 offspring + 26 parents = 52 birds in total Year 2: 52 birds = 26 breeding pairs, and each pair produces 1 clutch of 2 eggs. 26 pairs X 2 eggs = 52 offspring 52 offspring + 52 parents = 104 birds in total Year 3: 104 birds = 52 breeding pairs, and each pair produces 1 clutch of 2 eggs. 52 pairs X 2 eggs = 104 offspring 104 offspring + 104 parents = 208 birds in total Group B: Year 1: 26 birds = 13 breeding pairs, and each pair produces 2 clutches of 2 eggs. 2 eggs from first clutch + 2 eggs from second clutch = 4 eggs per pair 13 pairs X 4 eggs = 52 offspring 52 offspring + 26 parents = 78 birds in total Year 2: 78 birds = 39 breeding pairs, and each pair produces 2 clutches of 2 eggs. 2 eggs from first clutch + 2 eggs from second clutch = 4 eggs per pair 39 pairs X 4 eggs = 156 offspring 156 offspring + 78 parents = 234 birds in total Year 3: 234 birds = 117 breeding pairs, and each pair produces 2 clutches of 2 eggs. 2 eggs from first clutch + 2 eggs from second clutch = 4 eggs per pair 117 pairs X 4 eggs = 468 offspring 468 offspring + 234 parents = 702 birds in total