Saint Louis Zoo Research Articles

Parent-offspring behavior of Jambu fruit doves (Ptilinopus jambu).

Fruit doves (Ptilinopus) constitute a genus of small to medium-sized, brightly colored arboreal birds, whose diets consist entirely of fruit. Little is known about the behavior of fruit doves because most species inhabit dense forests and are difficult to observe in the wild. This study describes the parental behavior of Jambu fruit dove pairs (Ptilinopus jambu) in a captive breeding program at the Saint Louis Zoo. Continuous video recordings were made of three pairs which raised a total of eight squabs over 2 years; daily rates of parental and squab behaviors were quantified. Overall, females were present at the nest, brooded their squabs, pecked, and attempted feedings more often than males. Parents also cared for their squabs at different times throughout the day. Males fed and brooded squabs during the middle of the day, while females fed throughout the day and brooded in the morning, evening, and overnight. Feeding rates were lower than those described for seed-eating doves (Columbinae), with hours between consecutive feedings, and squabs rarely begged before feeding events. Most squab behaviors involved initiating or terminating brooding and self-preening. These behaviors increased as squabs approached fledging, and coincided with a shift from full to partial brooding, and a decrease in parental allopreening. Older squabs also initiated feeding less frequently. Together, these data provide the first description of parental behavior in a Ptilinopus fruit dove. The results of this study may help improve captive breeding efforts, which are likely to become increasingly important for future conservation and reintroduction programs.

Species-specific transmission of novel picornaviruses in lemurs.

The roles of host genetics versus exposure and contact frequency in driving cross-species transmission remain the subject of debate. Here, we used a multitaxon lemur collection at the Saint Louis Zoo in the United States as a model to gain insight into viral transmission in a setting of high interspecies contact. Lemurs are a diverse and understudied group of primates that are highly endangered. The speciation of lemurs, which are endemic to the island of Madagascar, occurred in geographic isolation apart from that of continental African primates. Although evidence of endogenized viruses in lemur genomes exists, no exogenous viruses of lemurs have been described to date. Here we identified two novel picornaviruses in fecal specimens of ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) and black-and-white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata). We found that the viruses were transmitted in a species-specific manner (lesavirus 1 was detected only in ring-tailed lemurs, while lesavirus 2 was detected only in black-and-white ruffed lemurs). Longitudinal sampling over a 1-year interval demonstrated ongoing infection in the collection. This was supported by evidence of viral clearance in some animals and new infections in previously uninfected animals, including a set of newly born triplets that acquired the infection. While the two virus strains were found to be cocirculating in a mixed-species exhibit of ring-tailed lemurs, black-and-white ruffed lemurs, and black lemurs, there was no evidence of cross-species transmission. This suggests that despite high-intensity contact, host species barriers can prevent cross-species transmissions of these viruses. Up to 75% of emerging infectious diseases in humans today are the result of zoonotic transmission. However, a challenge in understanding transmission dynamics has been the limited models of cross-species transmission. Zoos provide a unique opportunity to explore parameters defining viral transmission. We demonstrated that ongoing virus transmission in a mixed lemur species exhibit was species specific. This suggests that despite high contact intensity, host species barriers contribute to protection from cross-species transmission of these viruses. While the combinations of species might differ, most zoological parks worldwide commonly feature mixed-species exhibits. Collectively, this report demonstrates a widely applicable approach toward understanding infectious disease transmission.

Reference Values for Hematology, Plasma Biochemical Analysis, Plasma Protein Electrophoresis, andAspergillusSerology in Elegant-crested Tinamou (Eudromia elegans)

Elegant-crested tinamou (Eudromia elegans) are members of the family Tinamidae. A review of postmortem records at the Saint Louis Zoo suggests that this species is highly susceptible to aspergillosis. Antemortem detection of Aspergillus infections can be aided by evaluating results of hematologic, plasma biochemical, protein electrophoretic, and Aspergillus antigen and antibody serologic testing. To establish species-specific reference intervals for these parameters in elegant-crested tinamou, blood samples were collected and analyzed from 19 healthy captive adult and subadult elegant-crested tinamou. The predominant circulating leukocyte in elegant-crested tinamou is the lymphocyte. Prealbumin electrophoresis fractions were detected in 4 of 19 birds (21%), and globulin fractions were detected in all birds. All birds had measurable titers for Aspergillus antibody and galactomannan antigen, including 3 birds with antibody levels considered to be positive. Galactomannan levels were all below the positive threshold of 1.0. Results of hematologic and plasma biochemical analyses performed on blood samples obtained from terminally ill elegant-crested tinamou with confirmed aspergillosis were compared with results from healthy individuals. Significant differences were found in the hematocrit, total white blood cell count, heterophil and monocyte counts, and albumin and globulin levels.

A Study of African Wild Ass Behavior Provides Insights into Conservation Issues, Domestication Processes and Archaeological Interpretation

African wild asses (Equus africanus) were the wild ancestors of the donkey and are now critically endangered. Ethological and middle range research on Somali wild asses (E. a. somaliensis) at the Saint Louis Zoo provides insights into social behavior in captive setting and domestication processes. We observed a group of three young female Somali wild asses to develop an ethogram of social behavior in the first phase of a longer-term study of social, sexual, and maternal/infant behavior. The most unexpected finding was the frequency and extent of aggressive interactions, yet they also displayed a preference for close proximity. As the first quantitative study of the social behavior of wild asses, these results provide insights into domestication processes, suggesting that in captivity African wild asses are behaviorally plastic. These findings regarding the behavior of captive wild asses further the goals of both archaeology and conservation biology.

Building Bridges: Connecting the Health and Conservation Professions

BiotropicaVolume 40, Issue 6 p. 662-665 Building Bridges: Connecting the Health and Conservation Professions Sharon L. Deem, Corresponding Author Sharon L. Deem WildCare Institute, Saint Louis Zoo, One Government Drive, Saint Louis, Missouri, 63110, U.S.A. Charles Darwin Foundation, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, Galápagos, Ecuador Department of Biology, University of Missouri - St. Louis, 8001 Natural Bridge Road, Saint Louis, Missouri 63121, U.S.A.4 Corresponding author; e-mail: deem@stlzoo.orgSearch for more papers by this authorPatricia G. Parker, Patricia G. Parker WildCare Institute, Saint Louis Zoo, One Government Drive, Saint Louis, Missouri, 63110, U.S.A. Department of Biology, University of Missouri - St. Louis, 8001 Natural Bridge Road, Saint Louis, Missouri 63121, U.S.A.Search for more papers by this authorR. Eric Miller, R. Eric Miller WildCare Institute, Saint Louis Zoo, One Government Drive, Saint Louis, Missouri, 63110, U.S.A.Search for more papers by this author Sharon L. Deem, Corresponding Author Sharon L. Deem WildCare Institute, Saint Louis Zoo, One Government Drive, Saint Louis, Missouri, 63110, U.S.A. Charles Darwin Foundation, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, Galápagos, Ecuador Department of Biology, University of Missouri - St. Louis, 8001 Natural Bridge Road, Saint Louis, Missouri 63121, U.S.A.4 Corresponding author; e-mail: deem@stlzoo.orgSearch for more papers by this authorPatricia G. Parker, Patricia G. Parker WildCare Institute, Saint Louis Zoo, One Government Drive, Saint Louis, Missouri, 63110, U.S.A. Department of Biology, University of Missouri - St. Louis, 8001 Natural Bridge Road, Saint Louis, Missouri 63121, U.S.A.Search for more papers by this authorR. Eric Miller, R. Eric Miller WildCare Institute, Saint Louis Zoo, One Government Drive, Saint Louis, Missouri, 63110, U.S.A.Search for more papers by this author First published: 17 October 2008 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-7429.2008.00436.xCitations: 11Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume40, Issue6November 2008Pages 662-665 RelatedInformation

Melengestrol acetate implant contraception in addax (Addax Nasomaculatus) and Arabian oryx (Oryx Leucoryx)

Melengestrol acetate (MGA) implants were used for contraception in three addax and three Arabian oryx females housed at the Saint Louis Zoo. Serum estradiol and progesterone or fecal estrogen and progestin analysis and ultrasonography of reproductive tracts were used for monitoring changes before, during, and after MGA treatment. Follicular development and irregular uterine fluid accumulation were detected in all females during MGA treatment. Although housed with an intact male for all or most of the contraceptive period, no pregnancies occurred.One female addax may have ovulated, based on sustained elevated progesterone levels, and another showed continued follicle development, as seen by fluctuating estradiol concentrations. Reversibility was documented in two of the three addax that resumed reproductive cycles post-MGA-implant removal, whereas the third, a peripubertal female, did not cycle before, during, or after treatment. Addax females were lost to further follow-up after transfer to another institution, so the possibility of subsequent pregnancies is not known.All three Arabian oryx ovulated during the initial MGA treatment, but two of the three females had implants past the typical 2-year efficacy period. They had regular ovulatory cycles after implant removal, with mean cycle length of 27.5+/-1.5 days and mean luteal phase duration of 15.2+/-0.7 days. Reversibility was further shown in all three oryx by pregnancies after placement with a male approximately 2 years after MGA implant removal. Two produced healthy calves, but the third died owing to an unrelated terminal illness in the mother. Zoo Biol 26:299-310, 2007. (c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Ultrasonography in a Przewalski's horse mare, [formula omitted][formula omitted

Somali wild ass (Equus africanus somaliensis) are the most endangered species of wild equid, and little is known about their reproductive biology. Here, we describe social interactions and glucocorticoid production of five pairs of Somali wild ass females and their foals, which were born within a two-month period at the Saint Louis Zoo. Behavioral data were recorded from 0 to 3 months (Infant), and again from 6 to 12 months of age (Older Foal). Fecal samples were collected three times a week for 12 months, starting when foals were born, and analyzed for glucocorticoids using a validated assay. Generalized linear mixed models assessed differences in behavior and glucocorticoid concentrations between foals and mothers, in regard to foal sex, foal age, and season. Nursing bout frequency and total nursing duration, but not bout duration, decreased with age. Low nursing rates were still observed in 11 to 12-month-old foals, suggesting that weaning occurs after one year. Rates of social behaviors were similar between mothers and their foals, and rates of agonistic behavior were similar to rates of affiliative behavior. Male foals initiated and received agonistic behaviors more than female foals. Patterns of interactions varied with foal age. Infants interacted primarily with their mothers, whereas interactions among foals were common during the Older Foal period. Glucocorticoid concentrations of foals and mothers varied in relation to foal age; concentrations for both were highest in the first months of life. Seasonal differences in glucocorticoid concentrations were also observed, but no evidence of elevated glucocorticoid production was found except around the time of parturition. This suggests that neither mothers nor foals experienced chronic stress. Our study presents new information on the biology of Somali wild asses and it is one of the few to document behavior and physiology in a non-domestic equid. This information may contribute to improved management of ex situ populations by enhancing individual welfare and increasing reproductive success.