This third edition provides a fully updated and comprehensive examination of the critical role of reproductive biology in animal conservation. As with prior editions, this book is wide-ranging and relevant to anyone interested in species conservation, providing critical perspectives on the utility of current and emerging animal reproductive science and technology. Reproductive biology in the context of animal species conservation is much more than the development of techniques for helping with too little or too much breeding; technical developments must be preceded by an understanding of the biological basis behind breeding problems. With looming extinction concerns and unprecedented pressures on biodiversity, every effort must be made to ensure species reproduction in the wild, and to optimize breeding in populations in human care while providing the best welfare standards available.

The new edition contains a selection of chapters on fast-evolving topics such as welfare, ethics, epigenetics, extra-cellular vesicles, stem cells, contraception, and threats posed by environmental changes. Other chapters include species-specific perspectives, including on bees and marine mammals.

Provides a fully updated snapshot of state of the art species-specific reproductive technologies with over 15 new chapters Sets reproductive problems in context and emphasizes the links between animal species, human, and environmental health Presents realistic assessments of how effective some of the more recently developed techniques in reproductive technology might be at combating extinctions

Autorentext

Pierre Comizzoli, Research Biologist, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

Janine L. Brown, Research Biologist, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

William V. Holt, Senior Scientist, University of Sheffield

Inhalt

Foreword.- Reproductive sciences to the rescue of wild animal species.- Reproductive strategies and their relevance to vertebrate conservation.- Stress, Well-being, and Reproduction in Wildlife.- Ethical and regulation aspects relevant to the study of reproduction in wild species.- Transgenerational Impact of Environmental Change.- Reproductive impact of natural, synthetic and emerging chemicals on wildlife and domestic animals.- The Potential Roles of Extracellular Vesicles in Wild Animals' Reproduction.- Molecular tools for non-invasive sexing of wildlife.- Sperm DNA Fragmentation: the concept and its use in assisted reproduction.- Stem Cells and Wildlife Conservation.- Conservation of honeybee (Apis mellifera) intraspecific diversity through reproductive science and technology.- Conservation of teleost fishes: Current status and the role of reproductive technologies.- Reproductive Modes of Amphibians and Reptiles: Impacts on Conservation and the Development of Assisted Reproductive Technologies.- Wild Bird Reproduction: Neuroendocrinology, Conservation Biology, and Environmental Threats.- The emerging role of prolactin as a biomarker for reproduction, health, and welfare in wildlife species: Elephants as a model.- Koala Conservation: The Utility of Art and Genome Banking.- Reproductive science methods for marine mammals.- Fertility Control in Wildlife: Review of Current Status, Including Novel and Future Technologies.- How to ensure a bright future for reproductive sciences in animal conservation.