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To the press members in September, 1980, TEL: TEL: 078-302-8899: FAX 078-302-8222: Fax 078-302-8222 have started. Kobe Animal Kingdom (Animal Kingdom Co., Ltd., Director: Tetsuya Sato) has been breeding the endangered species, Amami Rat, which has been designated as a domestic rare wild animal and plant species and national natural monument since July 31, 2019. Participated in the Plan for Conservation of Extraterrestrial Habitats. [Summary] Currently, three species of wild gerbils that are peculiar to Japan are known: Amamitus gerbil, Tokunoshima gerbil and Okinawan gerbil. Among them, the Amami Rat and Tokunoshima Rat have a mysterious chromosome that is different from ordinary mammals, and are very valuable in understanding the mechanism of sex determination. However, due to changes in habitats and alien organisms (mongoose, cats, etc.), the number has been greatly reduced and selected as an endangered species. In order to save gerbils from extinction, the Japan Zoo Aquarium Association (JAZA) and the Ministry of the Environment are aiming to establish breeding and breeding techniques for gerbils based on the “Basic Agreement on Promotion of Biodiversity Conservation”. In the three species of gerbils, we will work to establish breeding / breeding technology for Amit gerbils, whose wild populations are relatively stable. * Conservation of wildlife and genetic resources outside natural habitats. Efforts to avoid extinction by obtaining scientific knowledge of these organisms and breeding and breeding them. [Future initiatives] Currently, we are working on three domestic gardens. In the Kobe Animal Kingdom, 2 pairs (2 males and 2 females) are currently being bred, and in the future, we will work on the conservation of gerbils through breeding and accumulation of scientific knowledge. ■ What is a gerbil ... Body length (head torso length) excluding the tail is about 10cm. The name is derived from the hard thorn-like hair that covers the back. Nocturnal and inhabit the forest, eat insects and nuts. Three species of gerbils have been confirmed in the world, all of which are endemic to Japan.
Amami rat (Amami Oshima) Tokunoshima rat (Tokunoshima) Okinawa rat (Okinawa main island) image: “Amit gerbil” ■ Individual sex determination Mammals are determined by the sex chromosomes of the X and Y chromosomes. Female ... X chromosome 2 Male ... X chromosome 1 、 Y chromosome 1 Amamito and Tokunoshima are both males and females because the sex of the individual is determined despite the absence of the Y chromosome. It can be said that it is very valuable to know the mechanism. ■ European Wildlife Conservation Implementation Plan Initiatives Miyazaki City Phoenix Nature Zoo (2017) Saitama Children's Animal Nature Park (2017) Kobe Animal Kingdom (2019) We will update the information as needed
