Using retrospective analyses to adaptively manage conservation breeding of an endangered rodent

• DOI: 10.1111/csp2.13307
• Publication Date: 2025-03-12T03:48:19Z
• Authors: Debra M. Shier; Alison L. Greggor; Samantha J. Leivers; Shauna N. D. King

Abstract The conservation of at‐risk species increasingly relies on ex situ breeding programs, whose success hinges producing offspring. Even relatively successful programs can face unseen barriers to reproductive fitness. What may seem like minor choices in husbandry and management impact outputs, thereby reducing the effectiveness recovery efforts. Additionally, given that many endangered are understudied, there be unique, fitness‐relevant aspects their biology which go undetected without further study. Retrospective analyses into long standing offer an opportunity investigate relative importance decisions within adaptive framework. We demonstrate utility this approach by analyzing factors driving stages copulation, pregnancy, production offspring a population Pacific pocket mouse ( Perognathus longimembris pacificus ), U.S. federally subspecies. Our findings not only provide detailed insights species' but also reveal previously unknown potentially unique predictors reproduction For example, even small differences degree male readiness influenced likelihood copulation pregnancy resulted from opportunities. By examining husbandry‐related influencing reproduction, we identified actionable improvements will improve future support recovery.