Panther Population Research Articles

Cryptorchidism in Florida panthers: prevalence, features, and influence of genetic restoration.

The overall prevalence of cryptorchidism in Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi) from 1972-2001 was 49% (24/49), with a significant increase over time. The earliest age at which descent of both testicles was known to occur was 2 mo and the latest was 10-13 mo. Delayed testicular descent was documented in 23% (8/35) of juveniles examined. Most retained testicles were in the inguinal canal. There was no apparent difference in reproductive success between cryptorchid and normal panthers, although no bilaterally cryptorchid panthers were known to have sired litters. Cryptorchidism was thought to be a manifestation of inbreeding and was one of several factors that led to the development of a genetic restoration plan whereby eight female puma from Texas were released into the panther population in 1995. None of the progeny resulting from genetic restoration efforts has been cryptorchid. This report provides evidence that cryptorchidism in panthers is genetically rather than environmentally based, and demonstrates the utility of genetic restoration for eliminating certain deleterious traits that result from inbreeding.

Wide-ranging carnivores and development permits: constructing a multi-scale model to evaluate impacts on the Florida panther

A new endangered species habitat evaluation method based on spatial variables and behavior was developed and applied in a recent development permit application process in south Florida. It utilizes aspects of habitat quality, landscape arrangement, movement tendencies, and human disturbance to generate an empirical approach to estimating functional equivalent units of ideal Florida panther (Pumaconcolorcoryi) habitat. The model can be used by permitting agencies to ensure an objective and consistent landscape approach to panther conservation throughout south Florida, and it may be useful in much of its former range (the southeastern coastal plain of the United States). It is intended for use on lands that are proposed for development as well as for property that could be acquired or otherwise managed to accommodate panther population growth and colonization.

Vitamin A concentrations in serum and liver from Florida panthers.

Many of the anomalies and clinical signs afflicting the Florida panther (Felis concolor coryi) are suggestive of vitamin A deficiency. Our objectives in this study were to determine if a vitamin A deficiency exists in the free-ranging panther population and to determine if there are differences in vitamin A levels among various subgroups of free-ranging panthers. Retinol concentrations were used as an index to Vitamin A concentrations and were determined in serum and liver from free-ranging (serum, n = 45; liver, n = 22) and captive (serum, n = 9; liver, n = 2) juvenile and adult Florida panthers from southern peninsular Florida (USA), and in liver from free-ranging cougars (F. concolor subspp.) from Washington (USA) and Texas (USA) between November 1984 and March 1994. Combined juvenile (6- to 24-mo-old) and adult (> 24-mo-old) free-ranging Florida panthers had mean +/- SD serum retinol concentrations of 772.5 +/- 229 pmol/ml. Adult free-ranging Florida panthers had mean liver retinol concentrations of 4794.5 +/- 3747 nmol/g. Free-ranging nursing Florida panther kittens (age < 1 mo) had mean serum retinol concentrations of 397.9 +/- 69 pmol/ml. Among subgroups of free-ranging Florida panthers, females had higher corrected mean serum retinol concentrations than males and adult free-ranging Florida panthers had higher mean liver retinol concentrations than juveniles. Retinol concentrations in free-ranging Florida panthers did not differ significantly from those in captive panthers (liver and serum) or other free-ranging cougars (liver). Based on limited published values and our controls, a vitamin A deficiency could not be demonstrated in the Florida panther population nor were any subgroups or individuals considered deficient.

Gene Flow and Genetic Restoration: The Florida Panther as a Case Study.

Populations of some endangered species have become so small that they have lost genetic variation and appear to have become fixed for deleterious genetic variants. To avoid extinction from this genetic deterioration individuals from related subspecies or populations may have to be introduced for genetic restoration i.e., elimination of deleterious variants and recovery to a normal level of genetic variation. I construct a general population genetics framework from which to evaluate the potential for genetic restoration, and I discuss its specific application to the Florida panther. The translocation of Texas cougars into the free-ranging Florida panther population has been recommended to genetically restore the Florida panther, a subspecies of Felis concolor that appears to have both a low level of genetic variation and low fitness. Specific recommendations recently given by a scientific panel are to introduce enough animals so that there is approximately 20% gene flow in the first generation of translocation and approximately 2-4% in the generations thereafter. I evaluated these recommendations in a theoretical population genetics framework and found that they should result in the removal of most detrimental genetic variation and an increase in the standing genetic variation without a high probability of loss of any adaptive Florida panther alleles. Unless the population of the free-ranging Florida panthers is very small, the planned translocation should result in genetic restoration of the Florida panther. Flujo de genes y restauractión: La pantera de la Florida como un estudio de caso.

Reproductive impairment in the Florida panther: nature or nurture?

Many of the remaining members of the endangered Florida panther (Felis concolor coryi) population suffer from one or more of a variety of physiological, reproductive, endocrine, and immune system defects including congenital heart defects, abnormal sperm, low sperm density, cryptorchidism, thyroid dysfunction, and possible immunosuppression. Mercury contamination, determined to be the cause of death of a female panther in 1989, was presented as the likely cause of thyroid dysfunction. As genetic diversity in the species was less than expected, all of the other abnormalities have been attributed to inbreeding. However, exposure to a variety of chemical compounds, especially those that have been identified as environmental endocrine disrupters (including mercury, p,p'-DDE, and polychlorinated biphenyls), has elicited all of the listed abnormalities in other species. A number of these contaminants are present in South Florida. An exposure pathway has been identified, and evidence presented in this paper, including the fact that there appears to be no significant difference between serum estradiol levels in males and females, suggests that many male panthers may have been demasculinized and feminized as a result of either prenatal or postnatal exposure. Thus, regardless of the effects of inbreeding, current evidence seems to indicate that environmental contaminants may be a major factor contributing to reproductive impairment in the Florida panther population.

Seroprevalence of trichinellosis in swine in Florida

The Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi) is an endangered, wide-ranging predator whose habitat needs conflict with a rapidly growing human population. Our goal was to identify specific regions of the south Florida landscape that are of high conservation value to support a self-sustaining panther population. We used compositional and Euclidean distance analyses to determine relative importance of various land cover types as panther habitat and to investigate the role of forest patch size in habitat selection. A model of landscape components important to Florida panther habitat conservation was created. The model was used in combination with radio telemetry records, home range overlaps, land use/land cover data, and satellite imagery to delineate Primary and Secondary zones that would comprise a landscape mosaic of cover types sufficient to support a self-sustaining population. The Primary Zone generally supports the present population and is of highest conservation value, while the Secondary Zone is of lesser value but could accommodate expansion of the population given sufficient habitat restoration. Least-cost path models identified important landscape linkages, and model results were used to delineate a Dispersal Zone to accommodate future panther dispersal outside of south Florida. We determined that the three habitat zones could support 80–94 panthers, a population likely to persist and remain stable for 100 years, but that would be subject to continued genetic problems. The Primary, Dispersal and Secondary zones comprise essential components of a landscape-scale conservation plan for the protection of a viable Florida panther population in south Florida. Assessments of potential impacts of developments should strive to achieve no net loss of landscape function or carrying capacity for panthers within the Primary Zone or throughout the present range of the Florida panther.

Panther Habitat Use in Southern Florida

We captured 6 Florida panthers (Felis concolor coryi) in southern Florida and radiolocated them 1,630 times from February 1981 through August 1983. Mean home area for 4 males and 2 females was 435 ? 231 (SE) km2 and 202 ? 141 km2, respectively. Mixed swamp forests and hammock forests were used more than expected based on the availability of these habitats within the panthers' home areas. Based on the availability of mixed swamp forests and hammock forests, we estimate that south Florida can support 30-40 panthers. The major factor limiting the panther population in south Florida appears to be availability of suitable habitat. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 52(4):660-663 In October 1976 the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission (GFC) initiated a study of the Florida panther to determine if a viable population of panthers remained in Florida. At least 1 population was located in the Fakahatchee Strand-Big Cypress Swamp-Everglades National Park region of southern Florida (Belden 1978). Our objective was to identify habitat necessary for the continued survival of the population of panthers in southern Florida. We acknowledge T. H. Logan and T. C. Hines for constructive criticism, guidance, and support. We also appreciate O. L. Bass, D. K. Jansen, J. McGrady, D. B. Pylant, J. G. Quinn, and J. S. Sanders for assistance with field work; G. L. Evink, W. H. Kuyper, J. Becker, R. Whitehead, R. D. Hallman, E. G. Phillips, J. D. Edrington III, and C. E. Gardner of the Florida Department of Transportation for habitat mapping and analyses; and G. Hensler, C. Moore, This content downloaded from 157.55.39.35 on Thu, 01 Sep 2016 04:39:07 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms J. Wildl. Manage. 52(4):1988 PANTHER HABITAT * Belden et al. 661 and G. R. Morgan for statistical assistance. Primary funding was provided by the GFC and by federal grant-in-aid funds administered through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (PL No. 93-205).