Contents - Marwell Zoo

Research into the biology of scimitar-horned oryx has focused on the themes of reproduction
and in-vitro fertilisation, genetics, behaviour and veterinary science. Most of this research was
published in the 1980s and 1990s and few studies have been published in the last five years.
The exceptions to this are the papers published by Iyengar et al. on the conservation genetics of
scimitar-horned oryx within the EEP and SSP programmes. This research highlighted the need
for effective coordinated management of the global population of scimitar-horned oryx to
ensure the maintenance of genetic diversity and the survival of the species. This research is
currently being extended to include the populations of oryx in National Parks in Morocco and
Tunisia. At the same time the international studbook for the species is being evaluated by
comparing the results of molecular analyses against genetic metrics obtained from the
studbook. Other research includes the evaluation of the morphology of captive oryx, assessing
mortality in the EEP population and investigating the impact of parasites on the success of
reintroduction programmes.
If you would like further information on research for scimitar-horned oryx, please see the list
of publications below or contact the international studbook keeper.
Genetics
Claro, F, Hayes, H., Cribiu, E.P. (1994): The c-banded, g-banded, and r-banded karyotype of
the scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah). Hereditas 120 (1): 1-6.
Iyengar, A., Diniz, F.M., Gilbert, T., Woodfine, T., Knowles, J., Maclean, N. (2006): Structure
and evolution of the mitochondrial control region in oryx. Molecular Phylogenetics and
Evolution 40: 305–314.
Iyengar, A., Gilbert, T., Woodfine, T., Knowles, J. M., Diniz, F. M., Brenneman, R. A., Louis,
E. E., Jr. & MaClean, N. (2007): Remnants of ancient genetic diversity preserved within
captive groups of scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah). Molecular ecology 16 (12): 2436-
2449.
Kumamoto, A.T., Charter, S.J., Kingswood, S.C., Ryder, O.A. & Gallagher, D.S. (1999):
Centric fusion differences among Oryx dammah, O. gazella, and O. leucoryx (Artiodactyla
Bovidae). Cytogenetics and cell genetics 86 (1): 74-80.
Kumamoto, A.T., Charter, S.J., Kingswood, S.C., Ryder, O.A. & Gallagher, D.S. (1999):
Centric fusion differences among Oryx dammah, O. gazella, and O. leucoryx (Artiodactyla
Bovidae). Cytogenetics and cell genetics 87 (1-2): 142.
Reproduction and in-vitro fertilisation
Bowen, J.M. & Barrell, G.K. (1996): Duration of the oestrous cycle and changes in plasma
hormone concentrations measured after an induced ovulation in scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx
dammah). Journal of zoology 238: 137 – 148.
Morrow, C.J. & Monfort, S.L. (1998): Ovarian activity in the scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx
dammah) determined by faecal steroid analysis. Animal reproduction science 53 (1-4): 191 –
207.
Morrow, C.J., Wolfe, B.A., Roth, T.L., Wildt, D.E., Bush, M., Blumer, E.S., Atkinson, M.W.
& Monfort, S.L. (1997): Endocrine response in scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah) treated
with progesterone and prostaglandin F-2 alpha to synchronize ovulation for artificial
insemination. Biology of reproduction 56 (suppl. 1): 194.
Morrow, C.J., Wolfe, B.A., Roth, T.L., Wildt, D.E., Bush, M., Blumer, M., Blumer, E.S.,
Atkinson, M.W. & Monfort, S.L. (2000): Comparing ovulation synchronization protocols for
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