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Physiological response after translocation differs between source populations in a threatened mammal
Kelly S Williams-Kelly1,2, Laurence Berry3, Kim Branch4
1School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Melbourne 3086, Victoria, Australia.
Royal Society Open Science
|December 14, 2023
Summary
Conservation translocations can stress species, but monitoring stress hormones like faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGMs) offers insights. Different source populations show varied physiological responses to translocation, impacting conservation success.
Area of Science:
- Wildlife conservation physiology
- Animal translocation stress response
- Faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) analysis
Background:
- Conservation translocations are crucial for species preservation but involve significant stressors.
- Monitoring physiological stress non-invasively, using faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGMs), can reveal factors influencing translocation success.
- Understanding these physiological responses is key to improving conservation translocation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate an assay for measuring FGMs in greater stick-nest rats (Leporillus conditor).
- To investigate physiological changes post-translocation in different source populations.
- To examine the influence of body condition and sex on FGM levels after translocation.
Main Methods:
- Validated a faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) assay for greater stick-nest rats.
- Compared longer-term (1-5 months) FGM levels across remnant-wild, reintroduced-wild, and captive-bred populations post-translocation.
- Assessed the relationship between body condition, sex, and FGM levels.
Main Results:
- Remnant-wild populations showed no significant FGM change post-translocation.
- Reintroduced-wild populations exhibited a significant decrease in FGMs.
- Captive-bred populations showed a significant increase in FGMs, with differing body condition relationships compared to wild populations.
Conclusions:
- Physiological stress responses to translocation are not uniform and depend heavily on the source population's history.
- Source population history is a critical factor influencing adaptation and translocation success.
- Improved understanding of species' physiological responses can enhance conservation translocation outcomes.
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