Schwabe, R. C., P. Wagner, D. Rödder, A. Rauhaus & T. Ziegler

Agamidae in zoos: assessment of the threat status worldwide and their distribution patterns in zoological collections. pp. 132-144.

Abstract. Due to climate change and the intensifying anthropogenic impacts on ecosystems, there has been a significant decline in biodiversity. To prevent the extinction of species, in situ and ex situ conservation methods and combining different expertise are imperative according to the IUCN’s One Plan Approach. To improve the conservation of threatened lizard species of the family Agamidae, this study provides a comprehensive assessment of their risk status and an evaluation of current ex situ efforts. Herein, we analysed data available through the Zoological Management Information System (Zims) created by Species360 and “Zootierliste” (zoo animal list) to evaluate data about the species held, the number and distribution of institutions keeping Agamidae species, and the breeding successes in these institutions. Our results show that only seven species being classified as threatened on the IUCN Red List were kept in zoological institutions using Zims, which amounts for ~1% of all identified agamids and ~12% of the 60 agamid species currently assessed as threatened. Species assessed as not threatened clearly dominated in terms of species diversity, number of individuals kept and breeding success in Zims institutions. The vast majority of species being kept was between two to ten individuals. Europe accounted for ~53% of all individuals represented in zoological collections. In order to increase the number of conservation breeding attempts supporting the One Plan Approach conservation measures, a positive shift towards keeping threatened Agamidae species in zoos should be achieved by combining tailored ex situ and in situ conservation programs to join forces.

Key words. Squamata, conservation breeding, ex situ populations, One Plan Approach, Sauria, Zims, zoos.