Conservation v. livestock trading practices
Aug 23, 2021 15:46:50 GMT -8
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steve and jshuey like this
Post by uvarmsrace on Aug 23, 2021 15:46:50 GMT -8
There seems to be abundant strong advisement about the legal aspects of shipping livestock across national or state borders and/or about illegality of live releasing specimen. However very little concern is being expressed about the conservation implications, should the living material ever be released--even once-- into the wild.
Indigenous populations of insects often have unique migratory or other behaviors or physiological adaptations that enable them to survive. When insects of the same species but from distant locations are introduced, and if they interbreed, they can dilute those behaviors and adaptations, thus jeopardizing indigenous species or subspecies survival.
As I write this, ads for Monarch Butterfly livestock appear in the Classified section. No information is shown as to the source location of the stock, other than United States. That helps collectors to stay within legal parameters, but it does nothing to prevent the mixing of geographic stocks of Monarchs with very different migratory behaviors. If Eastern US stocks are introduced into western populations and the two different migratory behaviors dilute or mitigate each other, the resulting population-level ability of the adult butterflies to migrate to correct breeding areas is likely to be altered --PERMANENTLY. Monarchs are already in questionable viability status.
That is just one example. Another is the prospect of future researchers trying to do DNA genetic research on the permanently altered populations, as may be needed for future conservation or endangerment evaluation.
It would be useful if the Classified Section carried a stronger notification to help prevent collectors or just well-meaning but ignorant members of the public from ever releasing even a single live specimen.
I do realize that advertisements in many publications sell Monarch Butterfly livestock, specifically for ill-advised "conservation" release by members of the public trying to help. And I further realize that all such live release is already unlawful. But the general public doesn't know that. We as conservation professionals and amateurs should be trying to advanxe a much more obvious position regarding the consequences of live releases.
Indigenous populations of insects often have unique migratory or other behaviors or physiological adaptations that enable them to survive. When insects of the same species but from distant locations are introduced, and if they interbreed, they can dilute those behaviors and adaptations, thus jeopardizing indigenous species or subspecies survival.
As I write this, ads for Monarch Butterfly livestock appear in the Classified section. No information is shown as to the source location of the stock, other than United States. That helps collectors to stay within legal parameters, but it does nothing to prevent the mixing of geographic stocks of Monarchs with very different migratory behaviors. If Eastern US stocks are introduced into western populations and the two different migratory behaviors dilute or mitigate each other, the resulting population-level ability of the adult butterflies to migrate to correct breeding areas is likely to be altered --PERMANENTLY. Monarchs are already in questionable viability status.
That is just one example. Another is the prospect of future researchers trying to do DNA genetic research on the permanently altered populations, as may be needed for future conservation or endangerment evaluation.
It would be useful if the Classified Section carried a stronger notification to help prevent collectors or just well-meaning but ignorant members of the public from ever releasing even a single live specimen.
I do realize that advertisements in many publications sell Monarch Butterfly livestock, specifically for ill-advised "conservation" release by members of the public trying to help. And I further realize that all such live release is already unlawful. But the general public doesn't know that. We as conservation professionals and amateurs should be trying to advanxe a much more obvious position regarding the consequences of live releases.
