Study links Yellowstone bison fate to genetic flaw

A congenital defect combined with U.S. government plans to kill bison exposed to an infectious cattle disease could doom America's last wild herd of pure-bred buffalo at Yellowstone National Park, a genetics expert said in a new study.

The findings were posted on Monday in Nature Precedings, an online archive for pre-publication research by scientists, as the government and environmental groups clashed in court over an icon of Western wildlife that dates to prehistoric times.

Government managers continue to corral hundreds of bison whose search for food has led them to stray from Yellowstone into nearby Montana grazing lands.

Livestock producers fear bison will spread brucellosis, a bacterial infection that can cause domestic cows to miscarry.

A planned slaughter of captive bison that test positive for exposure to brucellosis was placed on hold by the National Park Service last week after conservationists brought a lawsuit challenging the program.

On Monday, the Park Service filed a response reasserting its right to kill as many as 1,600 head of buffalo this year, depending on how the winter progresses.

The agency denied environmentalists' claims that killing brucellosis-exposed buffalo -- 76 are already slated for slaughter -- would irreparably damage the herd.

But the study from Thomas Pringle, a biochemist on the genomic team for the University of California at Santa Cruz, faulted the government as overlooking a hereditary weakness in the bison herd that could be amplified by the culling program.

He found that most Yellowstone bison whose DNA were tested carried a genetic mutation that affects cellular metabolism and makes bison lethargic, rendering them less capable of foraging in deep snow, fending off predators and competing for mates.

Pringle, whose work on other genomes has appeared in professional journals such as Science and Nature, said his bison research demonstrates that culling of the wild herd (see right) based on brucellosis, rather on the health of their genes, may push the species over the edge into a form of extinction.

"They're taking a really high risk of killing bison with healthy genes and getting into a situation where they can't go back; the good DNA will be lost," said Pringle, whose paper relies on published genetic data, analyses of bison fossils and samples from herds at national parks like Yellowstone.

Pringle said he was motivated to release his findings in advance of scientific peer review because Yellowstone bison can't afford the months-long wait while his paper is accepted for formal publication. (Link to current article)

A Yellowstone spokesman said the Park Service was not immediately acquainted with Pringle's study.

Millions of visitors flock to Yellowstone each year to watch wildlife like bison, whose numbers are estimated at 3,700. The West is home to several conservation bison bands, but Yellowstone's are prized as the last wild, pure-bred herds, according to the Park Service. Other conservation herds have DNA contaminated with cattle genes from cross-breeding in the late 19th century, a Park Service report shows.

Hunting west of the Mississippi reduced herds that once numbered in the millions to the fewer than 50 that found refuge in Yellowstone in the early 20th century.

Early conservationists used that small band to save the species, but their efforts predated sequencing of genomes and inadvertently promoted inbreeding, Pringle said.

The founding population for today's wild bison and for commercially bred buffalo possessed the genetic defect that now plagues 72 percent of bison tested at Yellowstone and all those tested at Grand Teton National Park, according to the study.

Buffalo are produced commercially on ranches, like the Montana spreads of billionaire Ted Turner, but those animals are not considered pure-bred because many have cattle genes.

Source:
Reuters, "Study links Yellowstone bison fate to genetic flaw", accessed February 7, 2011
Nature Proceedings, "Widespread Mitochondrial Disease in North American Bison", accessed February 7, 2011

Nations agree historic deal to save nature

Representatives to a U.N. conference on biodiversity agreed early on Saturday to expand protected areas on land and at sea in the hopes of slowing the rate of extinction of the world’s animals and plants and preventing further damage to its ecosystems.

After marathon negotiations that stretched hours past the designated time, delegates also managed to overcome divisions between rich and poor countries to agree to share access to and the benefits of genetic resources such as plants whose extracts have been developed into medicines - a key sticking point that had threatened to doom the entire two-week meeting in Nagoya, southwest of Tokyo.

Environment ministers from around the globe also agreed on rules for sharing the benefits from genetic resources from nature between governments and companies, a trade and intellectual property issue that could be worth billions of dollars in new funds for developing nations.

Agreement on parts of the deal has taken years of at times heated negotiations, and talks in the Japanese city of Nagoya were deadlocked until the early hours of Saturday after two weeks of talks.

Delegates agreed goals to protect oceans, forests and rivers as the world faces the worst extinction rate since the dinosaurs vanished 65 million years ago.

They also agreed to take steps to put a price on the value of benefits such as clean water from watersheds and coastal protection by mangroves by including such "natural capital" into national accounts.

Services provided by nature to economies were worth trillions of dollars a year, the head of the U.N. Environment Program, Achim Steiner, said in a statement, adding businesses from banks to miners were key in halting rapid loss of ecosystems.

"These goals recognize and value the irreplaceable benefits that nature provides to people in the form of food, fuel, fiber, fodder and freshwater that everyone depends on," Andrew Deutz, director of international government relations for U.S.-based The Nature Conservancy, stated.

Delegates and greens said the outcome would send a positive signal to troubled U.N. climate negotiations that have been become bogged down by a split between rich and poor nations over how to share the burden in curbing greenhouse gas emissions.

U.N. climate talks resume in Mexico in a month.

"TORTUROUS NEGOTIATIONS"

"We're delighted there's been a successful outcome to these long and torturous negotiations and I think it shows that these multilateral negotiations can deliver a good result," said Peter Cochrane, head of Australia's delegation in Nagoya.

Delegates agreed to a 20-point strategic plan to protect fish stocks, fight the loss and degradation of natural habitats and to conserve larger land and marine areas.

They also set a broader 2020 "mission" to take urgent action to halt the loss of biodiversity.

Nations agreed to protect 17 percent of land and inland waters and 10 percent of coastal and marine areas by 2020. Currently, 13 percent of land and 1 percent of oceans are protected for conservation.

The third part of the deal, the Nagoya Protocol on genetic resources, has taken nearly 20 years to agree and sets rules governing how nations manage and share benefits derived from forests and seas to create new drugs, crops or cosmetics.

The protocol could unlock billions of dollars for developing countries, where much of the world's natural riches remain.

"The protocol is really, really a victory," Brazil's Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira (right) told reporters.

It will also mean changes for businesses.

"This isn't a boring protocol. It will regulate billions of dollars for the pharmaceutical industry," said Tove Ryding, policy adviser for biodiversity and climate change for Greenpeace.

Karl Falkenberg, (below right) head of the European Commission's environment department, said it would also fight poverty.

"We finally have something that is going to give great results for the environment, for the poor people," who will be able to earn money in exchange for access to genetic materials, he said after the talks ended.

Delegates and greens had feared the ill-feeling that pervaded climate negotiations after last December's acrimonious meeting in Copenhagen would derail the talks in Nagoya.

"There's been a mood of change. I think the failure of the Copenhagen meeting last year perhaps has meant a new realization that we need to more flexible in negotiations," said Jane Smart, director of conservation policy for the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Historic Deal to save Nature

Source:
Reuters, "Nations agree historic deal to save nature", accessed November 1, 2010

From the Inbox: Help save some frogs

Dear Friend, Several months ago, scientists in Australia made a startling and exciting discovery: A species of amphibian thought to be extinct was, in fact, alive and well in the wilderness near Sydney. It was the first sighting of the yellow-spotted bell frog ( Litoria castanea, in 30 years – the sort of find that underscores just how amazing and resilient nature can be. Unfortunately, other creatures might not be so lucky. One-third of about 6,000 amphibian species globally are at risk of extinction. Almost half are in decline. Many have not been seen in the wild in decades. These species are too important to be lost to extinction. If they still exist, like the yellow-spotted bell frog, they need to be found — and protected. So, teams of scientists convened by Conservation International, are going to look for them. You can join them by clicking here. Over the next few months, teams of scientists will span the globe to look for amphibian species — some of which haven’t been seen in decades. In doing so, they offer hope that we might find creatures believed to have been lost forever. Call it the Search for the Lost Frogs. Why amphibians matter Amphibians are important in nature. They play a key role in helping both terrestrial and marine ecosystems get the nutrients they need, and they serve as bellwethers of ecosystem health. Amphibians are also critical for human well-being. They control agricultural pests. They regulate disease-carrying species such as mosquitoes. And they may have chemicals in their bodies that could help fight human diseases – from HIV to skin cancer. Conservation efforts are therefore critical. But it is difficult to protect a species if scientists don’t know whether it exists. That’s why we’re undertaking the Search for the Lost Frogs. If we don’t act quickly, we risk losing countless benefits that amphibians can provide to humans. CI’s work CI is performing work like this around the globe. We care about nature, and we care about preserving the benefits that humans receive from its bounty – now, 10 years from now, and 1,000 years from now. Over the next 12 weeks, we’ll keep you updated as scientists head into the field. You’ll get a firsthand look at this unique project, learn about some amazing amphibians, and discover just how important one species can be to humans around the world. We hope you enjoy the journey.  Thank you for supporting CI. Sincerely, Robin Moore Amphibian Conservation Officer Photo: (Hyperolius marmoratus) Reed frog, Class: Amphibia (frogs, salamanders), Order: Anura (Frogs and toads), Family: Hyperolidae, Botswana . © Piotr Naskrecki How to follow the entire search So that we do not overwhelm our supporters with communications, Search for the Lost Frogs will only be sent to those who choose to follow the search. To join this once-in-a-lifetime experience click the button below. What will we send you if you follow the search? Weekly updates on over 15 international teams searching for frogs thought to be lost forever. Exciting frog facts and fun activities like a Q&A with Dr. Robin Moore. A final wrap-up report with the results from the frog teams and the impact this work has had.

From the Inbox: Countdown to Lion Extinction: Act now to help stop it

Take Action to Stop the Poisoning of Lions Carbofuran – a pesticide the Environmental Protection Agency considers too toxic for use in America – is poisoning many of the planet’s few remaining wild African lions. Sign our petition urging the prime ministers of Botswana, Rwanda, and Kenya to ban the import and use of and support new protections for lions in these countries. Carbofuran (also called furadan) – banned in the U.S., but still widely available in East Africa – is a key threat pushing lions to extinction. Many of the world’s remaining lions can still be found in Botswana, Rawanda and Kenya. Help us send 50,000 messages to the heads of these countries! Dear Friend, I just got back from Africa, where I met with some of the world’s top lion conservationists, and I can tell you from first-hand experience: the extinction threat to these mighty beasts is real. Just 50 years ago, it is estimated that nearly a half a million lions could be found in Africa. Now lion experts say that as few as 16,000 remain – a staggering decline of more than 95%. [1]If we don’t take dramatic action right now, Africa’s lions could disappear by the beginning of the next decade. Take action now. Help stop the import and use of a poison that’s driving lions to extinction by signing our petition to the heads of state in Botswana, Rwanda and Kenya. Right now, carbofuran – a product that the Environmental Protection Agency says is too toxic to be used in America – is threatening the majestic African lion with extinction. A quarter teaspoon of carbofuran can kill an individual lion. Less will paralyze this mighty beast for up to a week, leaving a lion or lioness to starve to death or be killed by other predators. A dollar’s worth can kill a whole pride – plus scores of other species that feed on toxic carcass. [2] Sadly, this awful poison is still sold in stores or used illegally in many African nations to intentionally poison lions and other predators. Speak out for new lion protections and help stop the import and use of carbofuran in East Africa. Sign our petition right now. On Wednesday, we’ll deliver our petition for lions to of the heads of state in Botswana, Rwanda and Kenya. We need to collect at least 50,000 new signatures before then. Will you help?Sign our lion-saving petition now, and then forward this message to a friend.We have a moral obligation to do everything we can to stop the extinction of the king of the beasts. I hope you’ll help by taking action today. Rodger Schlickeisen President Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund P.S. Since December, more than 47,000 caring people like you have signed the petition of our sister organization, Defenders of Wildlife, urging an end to the import and use of carbofuran and new protections for that country’s lions. To save these mighty beasts from extinction, Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund is broadening the scope of the fight for the survival of Africa’s lions. Please take action now. References [1] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/12/AR2009101202403.html [2] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLaLUyH4-vo&feature=player_embedded