Subject: Great Green Macaw/Buffon

............................Proposal...................................................

Project Summary:

Species Facts

The Great Green Macaw, Ara ambigua, has a limited spatial distribution if compared to other macaw species (Forshaw, 1989). Its distribution is restricted to the lowland tropical wet forests of Central and South America. It is found from eastern Honduras, and as far as western Colombia and Ecuador (Stiles & Skutch, 1989, R. Ridgley pers. comm. 1993). In Central America its population is restricted to the Atlantic forests where it is becoming rarer (Stiles & Skutch, 1989. J. Eitniear pers. comm. 1993). Stiles points out (1989) that in Costa Rica the population of great green macaws has been reduced to dangerous levels. Experts believe that only between 25 to 35 breeding pairs of great green macaws are left in the Northeastern Zone of Costa Rica. The majority believes that there are no more than 200-250 individuals of this species. (G. Powell et al. 1996).

The great green macaw was once abundant in all parts of the Atlantic Coast of Costa Rica, but is now restricted to the area between the San Carlos and Sarapiqui Rivers, due to loss of the almendro (Dipterix panamensis) tree habitat in other areas. The almendro tree, the green macaw's main source of food especially during its six-month fruiting period, has been rapidly deforested in recent years. The Northern Zone of Costa Rica has been subjected to rapid colonization and a very high rate of deforestation during the past two decades. The forests typically are being replaced by inappropriate, non-sustainable uses such as cattle. Through these activities, the great green macaw's habitat has been reduced by 95.7% (G. Powell pers. comm.). If action is not taken, the green macaw, listed as a CITES, appendix 1 (most endangered) species, may disappear from Costa Rica entirely within 10 years, according to the data gathered by researchers during 5 years of scientific research (Powell et al. 1996)

Genetic Implications

Small population viability is affected by demographic and genetic factors (Lande, 1989). Stochastic fluctuations in populations' size are caused by the individual variation in survival and reproduction probabilities. These populations are also affected by stochastic environmental events that enhance extinction probabilities. Small isolated populations could also experience inbreeding effects and loss of genetic variation by random drift (Hedrick, 1985). Populations with high inbreeding levels have shown reductions in litter size, viability, and fecundity (Wright 1977, Templeton & Read 1984), which are caused by recessive deleterious alleles.

A strategy widely used by wildlife managers to avoid all these effects associated with small population size, has been the captive breeding of individuals for reintroduction in natural populations. The translocation of individuals from other populations or geographic regions has been used as well. However, these strategies should be developed parallel with genetic studies focused in the identification of important individuals, levels of genetic variation and minimization of inbreeding levels (Hedrick & Miller, 1992). In translocation of individuals there is also need of genetic studies aimed to identify and characterize genetically distinct populations and to avoid possible outbreeding depression effects in individual fitness (Falconer 1989, Templeton 1986, Hedrick & Miller 1992) and loss of historical genetic records of populations (Avise, 1994).

Genetic studies of this nature have never been done with Ara ambigua in Costa Rica. Therefore, with the diminishing population size, now it is necessary to develop the genetic information that will allow the evaluation of reintroduction and translocation strategies.

Specific Conservation Goals:

1. Determine genetic relatedness among individuals from captive populations.

2. Estimate genetic variation and constitution of captive populations.

3. Estimate gene tic variation and constitution of the wild population of green macaws in Costa Rica.

Methods/Plan of Action:

Methods

Sampling.

To date the project has 60 samples coming from three different captive groups and 12 samples the wild population

Genetic Analysis.

We will use Microsatellite DNA markers, specifically Anchored Microsatellite repeat-primed PCR (Volgel & Scolnik 1997, Zietkiewicz et al. 1994), as a tool to estimate the genetic relatedness among individuals from captive populations. The data generated with these markers will also be used in the genetic variation analysis at a popultion level.

Plan of Action

Phase I

1. January to early March DNA extraction from wild population samples, test their concentrations and prepare them for the analysis.

2. March to early May PCR conditions standardization. Taq polimerase and the oligo synthesis (Primers) needed for the genotyping analysis.

Phase II

3. May to middle September. Anchored microsatellites analysis. PCR amplification for each microsatellite loci and its visualizations using high-resolution polyacrylamide gels. At this moment the reagents used for the electrophoresis technique will be needed. For this shipment to arrive on time we should buy it on early April. 4. September to late November. Results form the paternity analysis and established the potential breeding couples as well the database available. Formal presentation of results and conservation recommendations at a meeting with the Lapa Verde National Commission, IUCN, The Macaw breeding centers, the government and other groups interested.

Anticipated Outcome/Impact of Project:

1. Basic genetic information that could be used in a reintroduction program of captive bred macaws into natural populations.

2. Genetic characterization of the Costa Rican natural population and valuation of a possible translocation program of macaws from other populations.

How the Project's Outcome will be evaluated:

1. The project evaluation will be carried out with the presentation of a detailed report once the data analysis phase is over. This report will contain all of our findings and management implications derived from our results.

2. All the research results will be made public on a scientific paper for publication under the name of "Genetic Variability in Captive and Natural Populations of the Great Green Macaw (Ara ambigua) in Costa Rica"

3. A presentation of the results will be done at the National Commission for the Great Green Macaw to provide this group with the genetic information of this species' status.

4. The main results and implications of this investigation will be posted in the Great Green Macaw conservation project web site.

Results to Date:

1. Samples taken from captive birds and wild population (no analysis has been conducted thus far).

2. DNA extraction and quantification from all captive birds samples

Amount Requested: $3191

Total Budget: $3191

What funds will be used for:

Phase I: $US 1909.60

Chemical reagents and lab supplies

Phase II: $US 1280.95

Electrophoretic reagents

Amount and Sources of Additional Support:

Pittsburgh Zoo Conservation grant ($1000)

Zoo Ave facilitated access to captive macaws: Wildlife Conservation Park, and ÂAmigos de las Aves Rehabilitation Center. (Each sample US$10*60 birds= US$600)

Environmental Association VIDA will provide cost of other captive populations sampling . (US$100)

Tropical Scientific Center (CCT). George Powel Great Green Macaw project provided samples from the wild population.

Dr. Lobo's Population Genetics Lab at School of Biology, Universidad de Costa Rica had provided support with the equivalent to US$1,000 lab supplies. Also and estimated of US$1,050 for lab use.

Total amount of additional support: US$3750

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP SUPPORT THIS PROJECT YOUR TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS TO AMIGO DE LAS AVES CAN BE MADE THROUGH THE MACAW LANDING FOUNDATION. TAX ID # 93-1090444

100% OF ALL FUNDS WILL BE SENT TO AMIGO DE LAS AVES FOR PROJECT

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