About This Project
The Cayos Cochinos boa represents an endangered, evolutionary significant unit that has historically experienced heavy poaching. There is a gap in knowledge concerning several aspects of the life history of this boa. In this project, we will study if multiple paternity occurs within these populations and also determine their predators and their poaching rate. Using this new knowledge, we will define actions that can aid in the conservation of these endangered populations.
Ask the Scientists
Join The DiscussionWhat is the context of this research?
In 2004, the Honduran Coral Reef Fund initiated a study to assess the population size and ecology of the Cayos Cochinos boa in order to determine the conservation status of these populations. The Cayos Cochinos boa, also known as Hog-Islands Boa, is specific to the two islands of the Cayos Cochinos Archipelago. Cayos Cochinos boas are smaller and paler than their mainland conspecifics making them more appealing for the pet trade. Due to poaching pressure, habitat destruction, growing tourism, and the small area of occupancy, these populations fall under the criteria “endangered” from the IUCN red list. Without understanding the population dynamics, these populations cannot be effectively managed in order to ensure future survival.
What is the significance of this project?
This study will provide knowledge about the reproductive life history and predation pressure of the Cayos Cochinos Boa and thus, will allow us to determine recruitment which is integral in understanding population dynamics. The existence of multiple-paternity in these populations could influence the effective population size and provide insight into the selective pressure driving some phenotypic characters within the population. Our results will help to better understand the vulnerabilities of the Cayos Cochinos boa and thus, define actions that can help the populations to become healthier and prevent them from extinction. With improved protection of this species, we strive to preserve Cayos Cochinos ecosystems and the others inhabitants of the islands.
What are the goals of the project?
The first goal of this study is to assess the predators and poaching rate on the islands. We will use 3D-printed biologically accurate snake models (designed in UTEP) and place them in the field with a game camera monitoring predation and poaching events. The second goal of this study is to determine if multiple-paternity (i.e. when a litter is sired by more than one male) exists within Cayos Cochinos boas. To test for multiple paternity in the Cayos Cochinos populations, we will collect DNA from each pregnant female and from each neonate. We will extract genomic DNA and use eight microsatellites developed for Boa imperator. We will use the program Gerud 2.0 to estimate the number of sires per litter.
Budget
The total budget for my project is $44,072.82 which includes transportation, lodging, equipment, team members compensations, and research permits for two field work sessions of 45 days each (June-August 2019/2020). The funds raised thanks to Experiment.com will be used to buy the equipment necessary to the two components of my project which are determining if mutiple paternity occurs within Cayos Cochinos populations and identifying the predators of this species. To be able to conduct our research and collect Boa imperator in Honduras, a Federal permit is required and has been also included in the budget.
I already received the Dodson Research Grant ($3,000) from UTEP to fund one part of the travel and lodging costs associated with this project. I have also applied to The National Geographic Society and I am awaiting a response. To fill my budget, I will apply soon to the Mohamed Bin Zayed Conservation fund and other smaller grants.
Endorsed by
Project Timeline
This study is a part of my PhD dissertation. The total budget for my PhD project being $44,072.82, I applied to other funding sources and expect to have answers within April 2019. The equipment listed for the budget will be utilized throughout my project.
Jan 30, 2019
Project Launched
Apr 01, 2019
Grant announcements
Jun 01, 2019
Field work start date
Aug 15, 2019
Field work end date
Sep 01, 2019
Summary of field work (lab note)
Meet the Team
Océane Da Cunha
Since my early childhood, I was passionate about the animal kingdom and especially herpetofauna. I remember trying to catch Wall lizards (Podarcis muralis) and watching European grass snakes (Natrix natrix) swimming while I was fishing with my grandfather as a child. Thanks to him, I quickly learned that biodiversity is endangered and that we need to protect it. Since then, I promised myself that I would study biology and ecology with a focus on reptiles and amphibians in order to protect them.
During my studies, I had the chance to participate in project involving Reptiles and Amphibians with a biology and conservation aspect. I followed a population of Green Toads (Bufotes viridis), an endangered species in France in order to know if their populations were stable or not. I also completed an internship within the CNRS (National Scientific Research Center) of Strasbourg to study the energetic significance of the basking behavior of the European pond terrapin (Emys orbicularis). I finished my master’s degree by doing a study about the biology, movements, and habitat use of the Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) in Missouri with Dr. Chad Montgomery of Truman State University and thus, obtained my Master in Ecophysiology and Ethology in 2017.
Because my studies and my internships weren’t enough to satisfy my thirst for learning and my desire to act, I decided to join the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology PhD program at the University of Texas at El Paso. I started to work on the Cayos Cochinos boa project last year with Dr. Montgomery. I immediately fell in love with these animals but also with the scientific questions this project is addressing. More importantly, I noticed the dire need to act to preserve these endangered populations which have been impacted severely by humans.
Additional Information
Literature used:
Card, D.C., Schield, D.R., Adams, R.H., Corbin, A.B., Perry, B.W., Andrew, A.L., Pasquesi, G.I.M., Smith, E.N., Jezkova, T., Boback, S.M., et al. (2016). Phylogeographic and population genetic analyses reveal multiple species of Boa and independent origins of insular dwarfism. Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 102, 104–116
Davidson, W. V. (1979). Historical geography of the Bay Islands, Honduras. Southern University Press, Birmingham, Alabama.
Douglas, C. H. (2006). Small island states and territories: sustainable development issues and strategies–challenges for changing islands in a changing world. Sustainable Development, 14(2), 75-80.
Green, S. E. W. (2010). Evolutionary Biology and Conservation of the Hog-Islands Boa constrictor. PhD thesis. University of Kent. Canterbury.
Holding M.L., Frazier J. A., Dorr S. W., Pollock N. B., Muelleman P. J., Branske A., Henningsen S. N., Eikenaar C., Escallo´n C., Montgomery C. E., Moore I. T., and Taylor E. N. (2014). Wet- and Dry-Season Steroid Hormone Profiles and Stress Reactivity of an Insular Dwarf Snake, the Hog Island Boa (Boa constrictor imperator). Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 87(3):363–373.
Jellen, B.C., and R.D. Aldridge. 2011. Paternity patterns. Pp. 619–644. In Reproductive Biology and Phylogeny of Snakes. Aldridge, R.D., and D.M. Sever. (Eds.). Science Publishers, Enfield, New Hampshire, USA.
Montgomery, C.E. & Da Cunha, O. 2018. Boa imperator Cayo Cochinos subpopulation. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T131133081A131133083
Reed, R.N., Boback, S.M., Montgomery, C.E., Green, S., Stevens, Z., and Watson, D., (2007), Ecology and conservation of an exploited insular population of Boa constrictor (Squamata: Boidae) in the Cayos Cochinos, Honduras, in Henderson, R.W., and Powell, R., eds., Biology of the boas and pythons: Eagle Mountain, Utah, Eagle Mountain Publishing, p. 389–403.
Reinert, H.K., and Zappalorti, R.T. (1988). Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) of the Pine Barrens: Their Movement patterns and Habitat Preference. Copeia 1988(4), 941-978.
Russo V. (2007). The Complete Boa constrictor. ECO Herpetological Publishing and Distribution. China.
Cover Picture: Stephen E. W. Green
Project Backers
- 17Backers
- 30%Funded
- $941Total Donations
- $55.35Average Donation