| Summary |
White-winged Wood Ducks (WWD) are an endangered species native to southeast Asia. Efforts to conserve the species via captive breeding have been hindered because captive populations appear to be highly susceptible to avian tuberculosis (avian TB). This infection results in the premature mortality of over 80% of these birds. Therefore, despite the fact that birds can be readily bred in captivity, long-term maintenance is not yet possible. The underlying basis of this susceptibility is unknown. Thus, in my research I seek to understand the causes of this high disease susceptibility. Doing so will allow the development of strategies to reduce infection rates and facilitate conservation efforts aimed at maintaining this iconic species. In Chapter 1, I provide a review of captive WWD biology, specifically the management of the North American captive population, to serve as an important resource for future husbandry protocols aimed at improving the lifespan and reproductive success of WWD. I also identify priorities for the future of WWD in captivity. Due to their precipitous decline in captivity due to avian TB, in Chapter 2 I aim to characterize the effects of inbreeding in captivity relative to a wild population, and in particular, describe variation in immune-relevant portions of the genome. Finally, in Chapter 3, I characterize the microbiome of two pond types at Sylvan Heights Bird Park (SHBP). This comparison between natural bottom ponds and cement bottom ponds will help guide future management decisions of WWD in relation to mitigating exposure to the organism responsible for avian TB, Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium. |
