Lessons from biodiversity--the value of nontraditional species to advance reproductive science, conservation, and human health

Abstract

Reproduction is quintessential to species survival. But what is underappreciated for this discipline is the wondrous array of reproductive mechanisms among species- variations as diverse as the morphology of the species themselves (more than 55,000 vertebrate and 1.1 million invertebrate types). We have investigated only a tiny fraction of these species in reproductive science. Besides the need to fill enormous gaps in a scholarly database, this knowledge has value for recovering and genetically managing rare species as well as addressing certain reproductive issues in humans. This article provides examples, first to advise against oversimplifying reproduction and then to show how such knowledge can have practical use for managing whole animals, populations, or even saving an entire species. We also address the expected challenges and opportunities that could lead to creative shifts in philosophy and effective actions to benefit more species as well as a future generation of reproductive scientists.

Figure 1

Numbers (and percentages) of described vertebrate species.

Figure 2

Scimitar-horned oryx driven to extinction in nature due to human hunting.

Figure 3

Black-footed ferrets have been returned to the wild after natural breeding and the use of artificial insemination.

Figure 4

Saola, one of the world’s most endangered ungulates.