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GROVES, c. P. (1972): Systematics and phylogeny of gibbons. In Gzbbon and sramang 1: 1-89. Rumbaugh, D. M. (Ed.). Basel: Kargcr.

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Rare plants in zoological collections GREN LUCAS & SARA OLDFIELD The Herbarium, Royal Botanic Garden, Ktw, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3 A B , Great Britain

We have been involved in both botanic Commission, we decided to test the strength gardens activities and conservation in all its of this interest internationally and find out facets over the years and have been asked by what is already happening. A survey of 271 collcagucs in the zoo world what, if anything, zoos around the world asking about their zoos should be doing in plant conservation. interest and involvement in plant conser- In 1984, on behalf of the Species Survival vation produced a surprising but pleasant

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response with 82 zoos, over 30%, supplying information.

Before looking at the report in detail and making our proposals on what should be done, we feel that it would be appropriate to give some background to what has already been done in the ‘plant world’. Some of the major zoological gardens have, of course, run breeding programmes for their animal collec- tions for many years, far longer in a conscious conservation context than their botanic gar- den counterparts. Both types of institu- tion have to compromise between public entertainment and education but today many enlightened zoos have as their third major commitment, conservation, with all that entails from captive breeding and collabor- ative programmes to links back to wild populations and habitat support research. Although some may see this as enlightened self-interest (or worse) others, the majority we feel, see it as a fundamental rationale for their institution.

In botanic gardens the conservation role has developed more recently than it did in the zoo world. I t is now well organised internationally and is gaining increasing attention as botanic gardens look for a modern image. The magnitude of the task to be undertaken should not be underestimated, however; of the 25000 flowering plant species believed to be under threat, only 4000 are known to be in cultivation in botanic gardens and in no sense can these be seen as representative of the flowering plant kingdom.

Botanic garden conservation activities are coordinated internationally by IUCN’s Botanic Gardens Conservation Co-ordinating Body (BGCCB), which was set up in 1975 following the second Kew Conservation Conference. The BGCCB now has over 130 members with the Moscow Botanic Garden co-ordinating responses from another 1 16 gardens in the USSR.

Many lists of threatened plants, focusing on particular groups, such as cycads or Mexican cacti, or on a particular region, such as the islands of the Western Indian Ocean or Europe as a whole, have been produced for the collaborating botanic gardens as a

by-product of the Conservation Monitoring Centre’s plant data base. Once these are circulated to members of the BGCCB, the information they supply on their holdings is stored on the IUCN computer. Reports are then prepared showing where the species are in cultivation and highlighting those species which are poorly represented in collections and for which active propagation and distri- bution is a priority. With this background knowledge of the efforts of botanic gardens, the position of the last piece of the conser- vation data base jigsaw-the input of the zoological gardens into the plant conservation scheme - can be assessed.

The 1984 survey indicated that zoos’ con- servation interests lie at both ends of the spectrum. Some zoos look upon rare plants as interesting specimens for pure display, while others want them as part of a total conser- vation programme, for example, as an integral part of a particular habitat type. Of those zoos which replied, 75% wanted stronger links and further information as well as sugges- tions of how to improve their botanical conservation activities.

This growing interest has already found expression in the USA with the formation of the Association of Zoo Horticulture (AZH), which was established in 1980 and which will undoubtedly prove to be invaluable in promoting regional co-operation in North America.

At an international level, one obvious way for zoos to become involved is through the BGCCB and several are already members. One outstanding contribution is being made by the San Diego Zoo, which in 1984 was holding 148 of the rare and threatened plants on the IUCN’s lists. Obviously zoos which wish to participate in the Botanic Garden Scheme must have adequate horticultural resources. The maintenance and propagation of endangered plants demands particular hor- ticultural and botanical skills at a substantial level. It has to be remembered that, just as for animals, propagation is a vital part of ex situ plant conservation, and although this may appear to be relatively more straightforward than the efforts required in the breeding of animal species, it cannot be left to chance.

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Correct labelling and documentation are also essential aspects of plant collections which require trained specialist personnel.

Having stated some of the requirements for zoos which wish to act as ‘keepers’ of cndangered plants, I should here point out that there are many less ambitious ways in which zoos can be involved in plant conser- vation. An obvious preliminary step is to liaise with local botanic gardens for advice on labelling, cultivation and propagation and to use them as a source of interesting plant material. Thc zoos at St Louis and Frankfurt both have strong links with their cities’ botanic gardens, which are both members of the UGCCB.

For zoos which do have the capacity to grow rare plants, the first question must be which species to grow. The question is rela- tively easy for those which concentrate on local fauna. Not only can they provide the animals with a more natural setting but also grow native plants in their natural ‘climate’; at the same time they have the opportunity to make broad conservation and educational statements. One example which immediately springs to mind is the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, with its impressive dis- plays of both threatened animals and plants and good propagation record with rare cacti and other succulents.

During our recent survey many zoos expressed an interest in providing a more natural setting for the animals. Providing natural vegetation for exotic fauna, however, may not be quite that simple. At last year’s AZH Conference, Charles Rogers, Curator of f Iorticulture at the Philadelphia Zoo, spoke about the creation of a tropical rainforest environment for hummingbirds and other jungle birds. One problem which had emerged was that when tanagers were put into the exhibit they regularly devoured all the flower buds; obviously not a risk to be taken with a rare plant!

Finding sources of suitable plant material may well be a difficulty. As already suggested, links with the local botanic gardens will obviously help. Rare plant material of wild source origin should not be considered except as part of a very carefully thought out and

approved plant conservation programme. Commercial sources of plant material still rely to a surprising extent on wild plants of certain groups, so it is certainly advisable to check on the origin of any bought stock. Particular caution is required for orchids, the most popular group to emerge from the Zoo Plant Conservation Survey and a family pro- tected under CITES. Wild-collected native orchids can still be bought quite widely in the USA (Anon., 1984).

Some plant species which are extremely uncommon or indeed extinct in the wild arc quite common in cultivation. A notable example is Lotus berthelots, a leguminous species with attractive red flowers which adorns the cover of the IUCN plant red datu book.

Such plants have obvious advantages for use in zoos as they thrive in cultivation and have potentially interesting stories for use in education projects. Other such species include the Golden barrel cactus Echtnocactus grunsonii, the Chatham Island forget-me-not Myosotidrum hortensia and Begonia socotrana, a species of begonia which is endangered in its native Socotra Island.

Obviously there is a need for zoos to be supplied with information on threatened plant species, their cultural requirements and plant conservation news and views for publicity material. On the educational side the survey revealed that about one quarter of the zoos interested in conservation currently incorporated plant information in their edu- cational material. One noteworthy example is the Interlink Scheme operating in Scotland. The Royal Botanic Garden and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland in Edinburgh, and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds have introduced a joint programme entitled ‘Going, Going, Gone’ designed to teach primary schoolchildren about conser- vation. The Interlink Scheme involves various organisations in the production of education material on conservation and other wildlife themes. Such collaborative ventures point a way for other establishments.

The Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, in co- operation with the WWF-USA has produced an excellent education package focusing on

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tropical rainforest and its conservation. The World Wildlife Fund and TUCN are, of course, currently committed to a major Plant Campaign so the time is right for other zoos to be considering similar projects.

I t would seem that any zoo regardless of its horticultural capabilities can and should include information on plants in its conser- vation message. Conservation education is already a field in which zoos have a clear lead

over botanic gardens; the stage is set to take this one step further.

ACKNOWl. t . l>GEMENTS The authors wish to thank ail those zoos which took part in the survey.

REFERENCE ANON. (1984): Nursery sources: native plants and mild Jowers. Framingham, MA: New England Wild Flower Society.

I n t . Zou ).'/I. (1986) 24/25: 12&130

Monitoring changes in reproductive status J . K . HODGES MRCIAFRC Comparative P h y s i o l o n Research Group, Institute of Zoology, The Zoological Socicty oJ'London, Regent's Park , London NWI 1 R Y, Great Britain

Practical and reliable methods for monitoring reproductive status are essential for any work designed to enhance the captive breeding of rare or endangered species. The ability to provide an objective assessment of repro- ductive condition strengthens the basis for selection of individuals for intensive manage- ment programmes, or for breeding loan, and is of key importance in the recognition and treatment of reproductive disorders. More specifically, the development of controlled breeding strategies for many species depends upon the availability of methods for the detection and timing of ovulation and preg- nancy. Timed mating, which is often used for controlling natural breeding, clearly requires a means of monitoring the reproductive cycle to determine the time at which ovulation is likely to occur. Moreover, artificial tech- niques for enhancing captive breeding poten- tial such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer can be successfully applied only when reliable methods for the prediction and precise timing of ovulation are available. Similarly, early pregnancy diagnosis has applications in promoting efficient manage- ment of captive breeding generally as well as,

more specifically, in determining the outcome of any controlled or artificial breeding attempt. I t should, however, be remembered that the development of objective and reliable methods for appraising reproductive status in any species depends upon an understanding of basic reproductive physiology which can be obtained only through careful scientific investigation. In practice, therefore, the task is not easy, since monitoring methods first need to provide the physiological information on which their subsequent application depends.

REQUIREMENTS FOR M O N I l O R I N G METHODS The choice of methods for assessing repro- ductive status in exotic species is governed by a variety of factors: 1. As with studies on domestic animals and man, accuracy and reliability are essential since in many cases important management decisions arise from the outcome of the assessment. There is, for example, little margin for error when timing ovulation to schedule artificial insemination or embryo transfer.