title: Genetic variability and structure of jaguar (Panthera onca) in Mexican zoos.
abstract: Genealogical records of animals (studbook) are created to avoid reproduction between closely related individuals, which could cause inbreeding, particularly for such endangered species as the Panthera onca (Linnaeus, 1758). Jaguar is the largest felid in the Americas and is considered an important ecological key species. In Mexico, wild jaguar populations have been significantly reduced in recent decades, and population decline typically accompany decreases in genetic variation. There is no current census of captive jaguars in Mexico, and zoos do not follow a standardized protocol in breeding programs based on genetic studies. Here, we emphasise the importance of maintaining an adequate level of genetic variation and propose the implementation of standardised studbooks for jaguars in Mexico, mainly to avoid inbreeding. In addition, achieving the aims of studbook registration would provide a population genetic characterisation that could serve as a basis for ex situ conservation programmes.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Ensayos Metabólicos, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Unidad Xochimilco, Calz. del Hueso 3100, 04960, Distrito Federal, México.
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rueda-Zozaya
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Ensayos Metabólicos, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Unidad Xochimilco, Calz. del Hueso 3100, 04960, Distrito Federal, México.
authors.forename: Germán D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Mendoza-Martínez
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Microbiología Agropecuaria, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Unidad Xochimilco, Calz. del Hueso 3100, 04960, Distrito Federal, México. dmartin@correo.xoc.uam.mx.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8051-8210
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Martínez-Gómez
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Biológicas Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Instituto Literario 100, Colonia Centro, 50000, Toluca, Estado de México, México.
authors.forename: Octavio
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Monroy-Vilchis
authors.affiliation: Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC. c/Américo Vespucio s/n, Isla de la Cartuja, 41092 Seville, Spain.
authors.forename: José Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Godoy
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Biológicas Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Instituto Literario 100, Colonia Centro, 50000, Toluca, Estado de México, México.
authors.forename: Armando
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sunny
authors.affiliation: Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC. c/Américo Vespucio s/n, Isla de la Cartuja, 41092 Seville, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Palomares
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Unidad Lerma, Hidalgo Pte. 46, Col. La Estación, 52006, Lerma, Estado de México, México.
authors.forename: Cuauhtémoc
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chávez
authors.affiliation: Programa de Ganadería, Colegio de Postgraduados-Campus Montecillo, Carretera México-Texcoco km 36.5, 56230, Montecillo, Texcoco, México.
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Herrera-Haro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo / Q000235:genetics; D001947:Breeding; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005828:Genetics, Population; D005838:Genotype; D008800:Mexico; D046009:Panthera / Q000235:genetics*; D010375:Pedigree; D011156:Population Density; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
keywords: Genetic variability; Microsatellite; Panthera onca; Population genetics; Studbook