Subspecies held in the USA, for ZTL

[Coelacanth18]

Do we know if all wolverines in the US (or more specifically, all of those in AZA) are the European subspecies? Or are some also the North American?

There is a mix of European and North American.

For San Francisco specifically, they do have a European animal. This article (ZooMontana one of three zoos in nation with successful wolverine breeding programs) clearly states that ZooMontana has a breeding pair from Scandinavia and that one of their offspring went to San Francisco.

 

[Coelacanth18]

I think it's time we collectively address some of the inconsistencies I've found in reviewing ZTL entries! Let's start with some mammals, several of which are ungulates. If anyone has sources or evidence regarding these, it would be greatly appreciated. IMO these are all potential candidates for major editing if more information can't be found.

Geoffroy's Spider Monkey (Ateles geoffroyi): 10 zoos are listed as having nominate (A. g. geoffroyi). Personally I doubt that any of these are verified; only 1 of the 10 specifies why it was listed at ssp level (in that case, because of signage) and at least 2 provide website sources that only say Ateles geoffroyi. I know that historically there has been a mixed/generic breeding population of Geoffroy's; IMO these nominate listings should be regrouped under Ateles geoffroyi (no subspecies) but I'm open to evidence or sources that suggest otherwise.

Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx): 6 US listings are for the Carpathian and Siberian subspecies. Are any of these valid or verified?

Pallas’s Cat (Otocolobus manul): Most (but not all) listings are for the Siberian subspecies. Do we have a source for this?

Wolverine (Gulo gulo): Mentioned above; mix of European and North American. Currently only 3 zoos are listed for this species, so we need more information or a third species-level option at some point so these can start getting filled in.

Harbour Seal (Phoca vitulina): as far as I can tell, this one is a mess. There are listings under species level and three different subspecies; very few of these ssp listings explain why it was listed that way. Additionally, the most common entry is for Eastern Atlantic (P. v. vitulina) - which is the European ssp, so I suspect all of these should be Western Atlantic (P. v. concolor) if not species level.

Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus): My guess is that these should all be Atlantic (H. g. atlantica) as it is native to the US and the only other subspecies is from the Baltic Sea. Currently there is a mix of Atlantic and species-level.

Common Eland (Taurotragus oryx): mostly being put under species level, but two zoos are listed as having the Patterson's subspecies with no source; one of these is a Disney park, while the adjoining Disney park is inexplicably listed at species level instead. A publicly available 2014 RCP (https://ams.aza.org/iweb/upload/rcp_antelopegiraffe2014-7a2d8ac1.pdf) notes that Patterson's, Cape and hybrids are all present and would be managed as one population.

Blue Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus): Currently multiple listings under species level and two different subspecies (C. t. taurinus and C. t. albojubatus). Almost no subspecies listings explain why they are listed that way, and a few of them reference websites that don't list a subspecies. The 2014 RCP states that most of the population are hybrids between those two subspecies and that they would be managed as one population.

Roan Antelope (Hippotragus equinus): 3 of 4 listings are under the subspecies H. e. cottoni; no listing explains why. The 2014 RCP states that H. e. cottoni and generic were both present in unknown proportions.

Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus): Not sure what is going on with this one. Most listings are for Common Waterbuck, K. e. ellipsiprymnus. North Carolina Zoo is listed under K. e. defassa with no explanation. SDZSP is listed for K. e. defassa with a note that says they are actually K. e. adolfifriderici; for K. e. adolfifriderici using a 1993 guidebook; and at species level using a 1985 guidebook. The 2014 RCP makes no mention of subspecies, other than stating that K. e. defassa was phased out.

Kirk's Dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii): both San Diego parks are listed under M. k. cavendishi, then 4 zoos are listed at species level. The 2014 RCP makes no mention of subspecies.

Blue Duiker (Philantomba monticola): Currently split between two different species-level pages (ZootierlisteHomepage) and (ZootierlisteHomepage). There is a single listing for bicolor, which was mentioned by someone as being present in some US collections. The 2014 RCP makes no mention of subspecies. Do we know which of the two species-level entries is the correct one, and do we have a source for the bicolor information?

Aoudad (Ammotragus lervia): Most listings are species level and 3 for Kordofan, but 3 are also listed for A. l. sahariensis using this source (2021 AZA Mid-Year Caprinae TAG update: https://static1.squarespace.com/sta.../1616695059684/2021+-+Caprinae+TAG+Update.pdf) that doesn't provide any evidence of 1) that subspecies definitely being in captivity here, and 2) those specific 3 zoos holding it.

Banteng (Bos javanicus): being entered under both species level and B. j. javanicus, with one zoo inexplicably listed for both.

 

[15399]

Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx): 6 US listings are for the Carpathian and Siberian subspecies. Are any of these valid or verified?

Animal Adventures signs their individuals, exhibited separately, as Carpathian Lynx and Iberian Lynx. That's the only place I've seen Eurasian lynxes signed to subspecies level, and don't know the accuracy of the signage. I believe there's a photo in the gallery of both individuals, not sure if anyone can visually ID or not.

Geoffroy's Spider Monkey (Ateles geoffroyi): 10 zoos are listed as having nominate (A. g. geoffroyi). Personally I doubt that any of these are verified; only 1 of the 10 specifies why it was listed at ssp level (in that case, because of signage) and at least 2 provide website sources that only say Ateles geoffroyi. I know that historically there has been a mixed/generic breeding population of Geoffroy's; IMO these nominate listings should be regrouped under Ateles geoffroyi (no subspecies) but I'm open to evidence or sources that suggest otherwise.

The AZA does manage these guys to the subspecies level per the most recent SSP plan. In fact, some of the holders of generic are technically holding this subspecies too. Outside of the AZA, I have no idea what is or isn't out there for spider monkeys.

Harbour Seal (Phoca vitulina): as far as I can tell, this one is a mess. There are listings under species level and three different subspecies; very few of these ssp listings explain why it was listed that way. Additionally, the most common entry is for Eastern Atlantic (P. v. vitulina) - which is the European ssp, so I suspect all of these should be Western Atlantic (P. v. concolor) if not species level.

I suspect some of the confusion is that when international ZTL first started, P. v. concolor wasn't added yet, and some facilities sign as "Atlantic Harbor Seal" (e.g.,: Atlantic Harbor Seal | The Buttonwood Park Zoo, Atlantic Harbor Seal - New England Aquarium).

Blue Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus): Currently multiple listings under species level and two different subspecies (C. t. taurinus and C. t. albojubatus). Almost no subspecies listings explain why they are listed that way, and a few of them reference websites that don't list a subspecies. The 2014 RCP states that most of the population are hybrids between those two subspecies and that they would be managed as one population.

Interesting, this is news to me. I was under the impression (perhaps falsely) that the entire population was white-bearded, and I know of multiple zoos who sign or list on their websites wildebeest to the subspecies level (e.g.,: Wildebeest, Zoo New England)

Roan Antelope (Hippotragus equinus): 3 of 4 listings are under the subspecies H. e. cottoni; no listing explains why. The 2014 RCP states that H. e. cottoni and generic were both present in unknown proportions.

The signage at the Buffalo Zoo exhibit is for subspecies cottoni, and the website interestingly lists both subspecific and non-subspecific (https://buffalozoo.org/animal/angolan-roan-antelope/). They certainly don't have both since there's only a single roan antelope at the zoo. I was (again perhaps falsely) under the impression all the roan in the US were cottoni, and it certainly does not seem like that's the case after reading the most recent SSP report.

Aoudad (Ammotragus lervia): Most listings are species level and 3 for Kordofan, but 3 are also listed for A. l. sahariensis using this source (2021 AZA Mid-Year Caprinae TAG update: https://static1.squarespace.com/sta.../1616695059684/2021+-+Caprinae+TAG+Update.pdf) that doesn't provide any evidence of 1) that subspecies definitely being in captivity here, and 2) those specific 3 zoos holding it.

When the AZA managed aoudad, they managed Kordofan, and at the very least Fossil Rim should still have this subspecies. Outside of the AZA, I have no clue what's out there except for the fact aoudad are a common species.

So: We will enter them as generic, but a bit of detective work can help to still list the pure ones as pure.

While I'm on here, I would AGAIN like to ask @Animal: Why haven't the US holders for reticulated giraffes been removed yet? We've already established it'd be extremely difficult to figure out whether or not any individuals are subspecific, and most of the population is not.

 

[birdsandbats]

I think it's time we collectively address some of the inconsistencies I've found in reviewing ZTL entries! Let's start with some mammals, several of which are ungulates. If anyone has sources or evidence regarding these, it would be greatly appreciated. IMO these are all potential candidates for major editing if more information can't be found.

Geoffroy's Spider Monkey (Ateles geoffroyi): 10 zoos are listed as having nominate (A. g. geoffroyi). Personally I doubt that any of these are verified; only 1 of the 10 specifies why it was listed at ssp level (in that case, because of signage) and at least 2 provide website sources that only say Ateles geoffroyi. I know that historically there has been a mixed/generic breeding population of Geoffroy's; IMO these nominate listings should be regrouped under Ateles geoffroyi (no subspecies) but I'm open to evidence or sources that suggest otherwise.

Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx): 6 US listings are for the Carpathian and Siberian subspecies. Are any of these valid or verified?

Pallas’s Cat (Otocolobus manul): Most (but not all) listings are for the Siberian subspecies. Do we have a source for this?

Wolverine (Gulo gulo): Mentioned above; mix of European and North American. Currently only 3 zoos are listed for this species, so we need more information or a third species-level option at some point so these can start getting filled in.

Harbour Seal (Phoca vitulina): as far as I can tell, this one is a mess. There are listings under species level and three different subspecies; very few of these ssp listings explain why it was listed that way. Additionally, the most common entry is for Eastern Atlantic (P. v. vitulina) - which is the European ssp, so I suspect all of these should be Western Atlantic (P. v. concolor) if not species level.

Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus): My guess is that these should all be Atlantic (H. g. atlantica) as it is native to the US and the only other subspecies is from the Baltic Sea. Currently there is a mix of Atlantic and species-level.

Common Eland (Taurotragus oryx): mostly being put under species level, but two zoos are listed as having the Patterson's subspecies with no source; one of these is a Disney park, while the adjoining Disney park is inexplicably listed at species level instead. A publicly available 2014 RCP (https://ams.aza.org/iweb/upload/rcp_antelopegiraffe2014-7a2d8ac1.pdf) notes that Patterson's, Cape and hybrids are all present and would be managed as one population.

Blue Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus): Currently multiple listings under species level and two different subspecies (C. t. taurinus and C. t. albojubatus). Almost no subspecies listings explain why they are listed that way, and a few of them reference websites that don't list a subspecies. The 2014 RCP states that most of the population are hybrids between those two subspecies and that they would be managed as one population.

Roan Antelope (Hippotragus equinus): 3 of 4 listings are under the subspecies H. e. cottoni; no listing explains why. The 2014 RCP states that H. e. cottoni and generic were both present in unknown proportions.

Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus): Not sure what is going on with this one. Most listings are for Common Waterbuck, K. e. ellipsiprymnus. North Carolina Zoo is listed under K. e. defassa with no explanation. SDZSP is listed for K. e. defassa with a note that says they are actually K. e. adolfifriderici; for K. e. adolfifriderici using a 1993 guidebook; and at species level using a 1985 guidebook. The 2014 RCP makes no mention of subspecies, other than stating that K. e. defassa was phased out.

Kirk's Dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii): both San Diego parks are listed under M. k. cavendishi, then 4 zoos are listed at species level. The 2014 RCP makes no mention of subspecies.

Blue Duiker (Philantomba monticola): Currently split between two different species-level pages (ZootierlisteHomepage) and (ZootierlisteHomepage). There is a single listing for bicolor, which was mentioned by someone as being present in some US collections. The 2014 RCP makes no mention of subspecies. Do we know which of the two species-level entries is the correct one, and do we have a source for the bicolor information?

Aoudad (Ammotragus lervia): Most listings are species level and 3 for Kordofan, but 3 are also listed for A. l. sahariensis using this source (2021 AZA Mid-Year Caprinae TAG update: https://static1.squarespace.com/sta.../1616695059684/2021+-+Caprinae+TAG+Update.pdf) that doesn't provide any evidence of 1) that subspecies definitely being in captivity here, and 2) those specific 3 zoos holding it.

Banteng (Bos javanicus): being entered under both species level and B. j. javanicus, with one zoo inexplicably listed for both.

Most Eurasian Lynx around are signed to subspecies level. I would assume most of these listings come from that - certainly the listings I've added have been.

As for Blue Duiker:

Any photos of the current Blue Duikers at Maryland Zoo, New Zoo, Hattiesburg Zoo, Kansas City Zoo, Moody Gardens, or Safari West will be of bicolor. San Antonio, Abilene, Birmingham, Lowry Park, and Montgomery all have animals listed as bicolor and non-subspecies.

~Thylo

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Pallas’s Cat (Otocolobus manul): Most (but not all) listings are for the Siberian subspecies. Do we have a source for this?

I'd be extremely surprised if there was anything other than Siberian around - even within the native range I can only think of one known holding for the other subspecies.

 

[birdsandbats]

Animal Adventures signs their individuals, exhibited separately, as Carpathian Lynx and Iberian Lynx.

There's no way that's an Iberian Lynx. I've seen animals around signed as Siberian Lynx, did you mean that?

 

[15399]

There's no way that's an Iberian Lynx. I've seen animals around signed as Siberian Lynx, did you mean that?

Yes- typo, sorry. I meant siberian lynx.

 

[Great Argus]

A lot of the catch with subspecies is that due to small population sizes or other reasons, there is often hybrids between subspecies or subspecies is unclear. In many cases the AZA does not differentiate subspecies in SSPs and studbooks unless there is particular reason for doing so.

Wolverine (Gulo gulo): Mentioned above; mix of European and North American. Currently only 3 zoos are listed for this species, so we need more information or a third species-level option at some point so these can start getting filled in.

Both are present, I believe European now has the majority of holdings and there is an ongoing partnership with the European EEP to work on husbandry and imports. Far as who has what, it's a bit trickier as the species no longer has any AZA documents coming out.

Harbour Seal (Phoca vitulina): as far as I can tell, this one is a mess. There are listings under species level and three different subspecies; very few of these ssp listings explain why it was listed that way. Additionally, the most common entry is for Eastern Atlantic (P. v. vitulina) - which is the European ssp, so I suspect all of these should be Western Atlantic (P. v. concolor) if not species level.

Unless a seal can be traced back to a wild rescue situation, it may be safest to list as generic. There is quite a bit of breeding going on and it is not clear whether the Pacific and Atlantic localities are being kept seperately. No subspecies determinations are made in AZA literature.

Common Eland (Taurotragus oryx): mostly being put under species level, but two zoos are listed as having the Patterson's subspecies with no source; one of these is a Disney park, while the adjoining Disney park is inexplicably listed at species level instead. A publicly available 2014 RCP (https://ams.aza.org/iweb/upload/rcp_antelopegiraffe2014-7a2d8ac1.pdf) notes that Patterson's, Cape and hybrids are all present and would be managed as one population.

The one population status has been retained to date, and no subspecies determinations are being made in AZA docs. Looking at my own photos against subspecies differences, I'm not sure what to pin them to. Someone may have some insights here since eland are apparently visually seperable.

Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus): Not sure what is going on with this one. Most listings are for Common Waterbuck, K. e. ellipsiprymnus. North Carolina Zoo is listed under K. e. defassa with no explanation. SDZSP is listed for K. e. defassa with a note that says they are actually K. e. adolfifriderici; for K. e. adolfifriderici using a 1993 guidebook; and at species level using a 1985 guidebook. The 2014 RCP makes no mention of subspecies, other than stating that K. e. defassa was phased out.

The nominate is the managed population so that is accurate that they would be the most frequent. Re SDZSP, adolfifriderici falls under the defassa group, so that is likely in line. That subspecies is found in Kenya and Tanzania so it would make sense for them to be that subspecies per country of export. Defassa proper is restricted to Ethiopia and as such is not likely to be exported.

Kirk's Dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii): both San Diego parks are listed under M. k. cavendishi, then 4 zoos are listed at species level. The 2014 RCP makes no mention of subspecies.

Based on import locales and genotype, the NA population is said to be cavendishi. Captive dik-dik taxonomy has been discussed on several occasions on ZC.

Blue Duiker (Philantomba monticola): Currently split between two different species-level pages (ZootierlisteHomepage) and (ZootierlisteHomepage). There is a single listing for bicolor, which was mentioned by someone as being present in some US collections. The 2014 RCP makes no mention of subspecies. Do we know which of the two species-level entries is the correct one, and do we have a source for the bicolor information?

The studbook lists almost all imports as coming from the country of South Africa, matching with the comments of bicolor. Whether all are indeed bicolor I'm not sure.

Banteng (Bos javanicus): being entered under both species level and B. j. javanicus, with one zoo inexplicably listed for both.

Per the Banteng GMSP, any formally managed Banteng in NA are nominate javanicus. I would be skeptical of purity in any non-AZA situation, similar to Gaur.

 

[TinoPup]

I think it's time we collectively address some of the inconsistencies I've found in reviewing ZTL entries! Let's start with some mammals, several of which are ungulates. If anyone has sources or evidence regarding these, it would be greatly appreciated. IMO these are all potential candidates for major editing if more information can't be found.

Geoffroy's Spider Monkey (Ateles geoffroyi): 10 zoos are listed as having nominate (A. g. geoffroyi). Personally I doubt that any of these are verified; only 1 of the 10 specifies why it was listed at ssp level (in that case, because of signage) and at least 2 provide website sources that only say Ateles geoffroyi. I know that historically there has been a mixed/generic breeding population of Geoffroy's; IMO these nominate listings should be regrouped under Ateles geoffroyi (no subspecies) but I'm open to evidence or sources that suggest otherwise.

Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx): 6 US listings are for the Carpathian and Siberian subspecies. Are any of these valid or verified?

Pallas’s Cat (Otocolobus manul): Most (but not all) listings are for the Siberian subspecies. Do we have a source for this?

Wolverine (Gulo gulo): Mentioned above; mix of European and North American. Currently only 3 zoos are listed for this species, so we need more information or a third species-level option at some point so these can start getting filled in.

Harbour Seal (Phoca vitulina): as far as I can tell, this one is a mess. There are listings under species level and three different subspecies; very few of these ssp listings explain why it was listed that way. Additionally, the most common entry is for Eastern Atlantic (P. v. vitulina) - which is the European ssp, so I suspect all of these should be Western Atlantic (P. v. concolor) if not species level.

Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus): My guess is that these should all be Atlantic (H. g. atlantica) as it is native to the US and the only other subspecies is from the Baltic Sea. Currently there is a mix of Atlantic and species-level.

Common Eland (Taurotragus oryx): mostly being put under species level, but two zoos are listed as having the Patterson's subspecies with no source; one of these is a Disney park, while the adjoining Disney park is inexplicably listed at species level instead. A publicly available 2014 RCP (https://ams.aza.org/iweb/upload/rcp_antelopegiraffe2014-7a2d8ac1.pdf) notes that Patterson's, Cape and hybrids are all present and would be managed as one population.

Blue Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus): Currently multiple listings under species level and two different subspecies (C. t. taurinus and C. t. albojubatus). Almost no subspecies listings explain why they are listed that way, and a few of them reference websites that don't list a subspecies. The 2014 RCP states that most of the population are hybrids between those two subspecies and that they would be managed as one population.

Roan Antelope (Hippotragus equinus): 3 of 4 listings are under the subspecies H. e. cottoni; no listing explains why. The 2014 RCP states that H. e. cottoni and generic were both present in unknown proportions.

Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus): Not sure what is going on with this one. Most listings are for Common Waterbuck, K. e. ellipsiprymnus. North Carolina Zoo is listed under K. e. defassa with no explanation. SDZSP is listed for K. e. defassa with a note that says they are actually K. e. adolfifriderici; for K. e. adolfifriderici using a 1993 guidebook; and at species level using a 1985 guidebook. The 2014 RCP makes no mention of subspecies, other than stating that K. e. defassa was phased out.

Kirk's Dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii): both San Diego parks are listed under M. k. cavendishi, then 4 zoos are listed at species level. The 2014 RCP makes no mention of subspecies.

Blue Duiker (Philantomba monticola): Currently split between two different species-level pages (ZootierlisteHomepage) and (ZootierlisteHomepage). There is a single listing for bicolor, which was mentioned by someone as being present in some US collections. The 2014 RCP makes no mention of subspecies. Do we know which of the two species-level entries is the correct one, and do we have a source for the bicolor information?

Aoudad (Ammotragus lervia): Most listings are species level and 3 for Kordofan, but 3 are also listed for A. l. sahariensis using this source (2021 AZA Mid-Year Caprinae TAG update: https://static1.squarespace.com/sta.../1616695059684/2021+-+Caprinae+TAG+Update.pdf) that doesn't provide any evidence of 1) that subspecies definitely being in captivity here, and 2) those specific 3 zoos holding it.

Banteng (Bos javanicus): being entered under both species level and B. j. javanicus, with one zoo inexplicably listed for both.

Geoffroy's spider monkey - a lot of places sign theirs as Geoffroy's. It's not unusual for me to see a sign go to ssp level, but I have no idea if those are correct or not.

Lynx - Some places sign theirs as an ssp, but they're pretty much all roadsides, so I doubt they're correct. I believe they come more from the pet trade here? Animal Adventures MA, Big Joel's Safari, and Panther Ridge say they have Carpathian. There's 20 or so places that say they have Siberian. My assumption would be people assuming fluffier ones must be Siberian and short-coated ones must be Carpathian.

Harbor seal - Yeah, I would be surprised if there's any eastern Atlantic. I might put some time into looking up where animals have come from, since most are rescues. Like everything else rescued, they don't always stay on the same coast, but I see a lot more talk in general about rescues on the east coast since it's by far the main pinniped here, vs one of many on the west coast.

Gray seal - These are almost all, if not entirely all, rescues, as well. I don't think anyone is importing them from the Baltic

Dik-dik - the SD parks sign theirs as Cavendish's. The zoo's sign doesn't have a binomial name with it but the safari park does say M. k. cavendishi.

Waterbuck - I believe the safari park has one pure defassa left. I think the rest in the USA are ellipsen? I can't recall why I think that though, but it's been in my head for years.

 

[birdsandbats]

Lynx - Some places sign theirs as an ssp, but they're pretty much all roadsides, so I doubt they're correct. I believe they come more from the pet trade here? Animal Adventures MA, Big Joel's Safari, and Panther Ridge say they have Carpathian. There's 20 or so places that say they have Siberian. My assumption would be people assuming fluffier ones must be Siberian and short-coated ones must be Carpathian.

I know of one AZA facility that signs their lynx as Siberian.

 

[TinoPup]

I know of one AZA facility that signs their lynx as Siberian.

"Pretty much all" Hogle? It could also be a case of a place getting a rescue and signing it as what they're told.

 

[birdsandbats]

"Pretty much all" Hogle? It could also be a case of a place getting a rescue and signing it as what they're told.

Lake Superior.

 

[TinoPup]

Lake Superior.

Interesting, on their website they've always said Eurasian.

 

[Coelacanth18]

Alright... so based on all of this information, I think we have the following recommendations?

Pallas’s Cat (Otocolobus manul): Should all be under Siberian subspecies to match other holdings.
Harbour Seal (Phoca vitulina): should all be listed under species-level unless specific origin of a rescue animal is known. Any Eastern Atlantic entries should be moved.
Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus): Should all be under Atlantic subspecies.
Common Eland (Taurotragus oryx): Should probably all be under species-level.
Blue Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus): Should probably all be under species-level.
Roan Antelope (Hippotragus equinus): Should probably all be under species-level.
Kirk's Dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii): Should all be under Cavendish subspecies.
Aoudad (Ammotragus lervia): Any non-Kordofan listings should probably be under species-level.
Banteng (Bos javanicus): all AZA should be under nominate (B. j. javanicus) and all non-AZA should be under species-level unless a valid source can be provided that they are subspecific.

Species where I'm not sure if there is consensus or resolution:

Geoffroy's Spider Monkey (Ateles geoffroyi)
Wolverine (Gulo gulo)
Blue Duiker (Philantomba monticola)
Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus): Sounds like maybe should all be nominate? Except for whatever animal SDZSP still has I guess. I'm unclear about whether there are generic animals out there unmanaged or whether they are all of same origin, though.
Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx): Personally I'm inclined to think they should all be under species-level given they aren't formally managed or native.

 

[Great Argus]

Banteng (Bos javanicus): all AZA should be under nominate (B. j. javanicus) and all non-AZA should be under species-level unless a valid source can be provided that they are subspecific.

They will be javanicus outside the AZA too, the question is whether there is domestic mixed in. There are a number of questionable purity Banteng and Gaur in non-AZA.

Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus): Sounds like maybe should all be nominate? Except for whatever animal SDZSP still has I guess. I'm unclear about whether there are generic animals out there unmanaged or whether they are all of same origin, though.

There are likely generic out there as well, especially from outside the AZA.

 

[Kudu21]

Aoudad (Ammotragus lervia): Any non-Kordofan listings should probably be under species-level.

The issue with the Kordofan animals is that per recent genetic testing, they might not actually be A. l. blainei, but rather A. l. sahariensis. It was assumed they were Kordofan because they were imported from the Kartoum Zoo in Sudan, but it appears these animals might not have been locally sourced.

Blue Duiker (Philantomba monticola)

It is my understanding that this is a similar case to the eland and the roan antelope. There are some purebred P. m. monticola and P. m. bicolor in the population; however, the decision has been made to manage the population as a single hybrid population moving forward.

Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus): Sounds like maybe should all be nominate? Except for whatever animal SDZSP still has I guess. I'm unclear about whether there are generic animals out there unmanaged or whether they are all of same origin, though.

@Great Argus is correct in thinking that there are very likely generic animals outside of the managed population of nominate animals. @TinoPup is correct in that the SDZSP only has one purebred Lake Victoria waterbuck left -- the rest have been sent to the private sector. There are two hybrids and a breeding herd of nominate.

They will be javanicus outside the AZA too, the question is whether there is domestic mixed in. There are a number of questionable purity Banteng and Gaur in non-AZA.

The issue here also with animals outside of the managed population is that the San Diego Zoo used to have a herd of B. j. birmanicus as well, and it is unknown whether any of these animals made it into the private sector like so many phase-out ungulates did.

 

[Coelacanth18]

The issue with the Kordofan animals is that per recent genetic testing, they might not actually be A. l. blainei, but rather A. l. sahariensis. It was assumed they were Kordofan because they were imported from the Kartoum Zoo in Sudan, but it appears these animals might not have been locally sourced.

Ah, I see. That also makes sense given the source that was provided for the A. l. sahariensis listings. So my takeaway from that is... they should all be species-level?

Sounds like Blue Duiker should be as well, frankly (without a credible source for a zoo having a purebred animal).

@Great Argus is correct in thinking that there are very likely generic animals outside of the managed population of nominate animals.

This is good to know, as zoos presumably outside the managed waterbuck population have also been listed under nominate (probably because there is no species-level option for them currently).

 

[Astrotom3000]

On the subject of harbor seals...

From what I am reading, the validity of Phoca vitulina concolor (the "western" Atlantic subspecies) is questionable, not supported by genetic evidence, and not all authorities consider it to be a valid subspecies, instead grouping all Atlantic Harbor Seals under Phoca vitulina vitulina. For example, GBIF (and, by extension, iNaturalist, who inherited GBIF's taxon scheme) does not recognize ssp. concolor, instead only recognizing ssp. vitulina (hence why I listed the Virginia Aquarium as having ssp. vitulina in my 2023 species list while their website lists ssp. concolor).

I am not sure what the consensus is here on this, but I thought I would bring it up.

Society for Marine Mammalogy
Phoca vitulina Linnaeus, 1758

 

[Great Argus]

On the subject of harbor seals...

From what I am reading, the validity of Phoca vitulina concolor (the "western" Atlantic subspecies) is questionable, not supported by genetic evidence, and not all authorities consider it to be a valid subspecies, instead grouping all Atlantic Harbor Seals under Phoca vitulina vitulina. For example, GBIF (and, by extension, iNaturalist, who inherited GBIF's taxon scheme) does not recognize ssp. concolor, instead only recognizing ssp. vitulina (hence why I listed the Virginia Aquarium as having ssp. vitulina in my 2023 species list while their website lists ssp. concolor).

I am not sure what the consensus is here on this, but I thought I would bring it up.

Society for Marine Mammalogy
Phoca vitulina Linnaeus, 1758

It seems to vary, yeah - IUCN continues to recognize five subspecies:

There are five commonly recognized subspecies of Harbor Seals: Phoca vitulina richardii, the Eastern Pacific Harbor Seal; P. v. stejnegeri, the Kuril Seal or Western Pacific Harbor Seal; P. v. vitulina, the Eastern Atlantic Harbor Seal; P. v. concolor the Western Atlantic Harbor Seal; and P. v. mellonae, the Ungava Seal or Seal Lake Seal (Rice 1998). Berta and Churchill (2011) recognized only one subspecies in the North Pacific (P. v. richardii) and one in the North Atlantic (P. v. vitulina). The IUCN Pinniped Specialist Group believes that pending additional genetics studies, conservation and management of these taxa are best served by following Rice (1998) and maintaining the five subspecies.

 

[Coelacanth18]

From what I am reading, the validity of Phoca vitulina concolor (the "western" Atlantic subspecies) is questionable, not supported by genetic evidence, and not all authorities consider it to be a valid subspecies, instead grouping all Atlantic Harbor Seals under Phoca vitulina vitulina.

It seems to vary, yeah - IUCN continues to recognize five subspecies:

I think the path of least resistance for now is probably to just use the concolor page that has recently been created. That will hopefully avoid any confusion for people over whether US zoos are holding Harbor Seals of European descent, which they probably are not. I'm also not in favor of splitting the same population of US animals across vitulina and concolor based on people's personal taxonomic preferences - all of our Atlantic seals should all be one or the other, and if they're all going to be vitulina then concolor shouldn't be an option at all.

That may bring up a good question for the admins though, about whether people can request a taxon be deleted from the database rather than added. There's other subspecies in the database with US entries that I think there is more clear consensus about being invalid than for Harbor Seal, and that potentially create more confusion than clarity (the multiple subspecies for Alaskan Ursus arctos, for example).