The Arabian Oryx, the cultural symbol of the Arabian Gulf region, gets another chance to survive

In a precursor to my research, an international team led by the University of Sydney has decoded the DNA of one of the endangered species, the iconic oryx, a cultural and national symbol in the Arabian Gulf region. The study was published in the journal Royal Society Open Science on March 16.

In 1972, the Arabian Oryx, a species of antelope that lives in the wild, was endangered by poaching. A small population of this type lived in the American Phoenix Zoo, and among those interested in caring for rare animals in Saudi Arabia, to be the first animal to be saved from extinction in the wild.

A decade later, this species was "redefined", of which there are approximately 1,200 animals distributed in wild groups around the world, mainly in the Arabian Peninsula.

There are also 6000 to 7000 animals living in cages. For example, Al-Wusta Wildlife Reserve in Oman includes 600 rare animals.

According to a report published on March 16 on Phys.org, the Arabian Oryx is still facing the threat of extinction in the wild, according to a "red list" of endangered species issued by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, no breeding strategies have been developed that take into account the genetic diversity of this species.

“Over the ages, the Arabian Oryx has acquired a strong cultural significance in the Arabian Peninsula due to its unique characteristics and strength, enabling it to live in harsh desert environments,” says Associate Professor Jim Gongora from the University of Sydney. “It has even become a national symbol in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and the UAE. That is why we are working so hard to ensure its survival for the oryx itself and to preserve this cultural connection.”

"This work on such iconic species can serve as a benchmark for the long-term sustainability of other rare species conservation programmes. This includes those taking place in Oman's Al Wusta Wildlife Sanctuary which includes sand gazelle, mountain gazelle, and Nubian ibex," added Gongura.

The Arabian Oryx is a unique animal, distinguished by the length of its horns that can reach one meter. It can roam about 75 kilometers a day in search of food, and this species is also known to have a "sixth sense" where Arabian Oryx senses the location of the incoming rain and moves towards it to drink. It also feeds on plants that thrive in humid conditions, such as acacia.

Oryx, which range in age from 15 to 20 years, is a major source of food for predators that inhabit the Arabian Peninsula, including striped hyenas, Arabian wolves and lynxes.

diversify herds

The researchers collected genetic samples from 138 Arabian Oryx at Al Wusta Wildlife Sanctuary in Oman, as well as 36 historical samples from the Phoenix Zoo that belong to the descendants of a herd that lived there in the 1970s. They studied DNA and identified genetic variations that helped them accurately classify selected species.

It was found that the genetic system of the Arabian Oryx has diversified well, which proves the ability of these herds to adapt to changing environments and maintain good health. "This means that conservation strategies based on random mating can be reasonably successful," said study lead author Professor Gongora.

Gongura and his team discovered 3 groups of ancestors whose genes were not evenly distributed across current herds in Al Wusta Wildlife Sanctuary. Accordingly, they suggested a targeted breeding strategy where females could breed with males of other genetic lineages. "The survival of species is not only related to the size of the clan, but also to genetic diversity," the researcher commented.

Biobanks are a cultural symbol

Gongora and colleagues are working with Al Wusta Wildlife Sanctuary to implement this strategy, once travel restrictions due to the coronavirus are lifted.

The researchers also recommend storing the Arabian Oryx genetic samples in a biobank for future genetic analysis. Additionally, oocyte and sperm sample biobanks can also be considered as a long-term insurance policy against extinction.