Doling out DNA: biologists make their debut as molecular matchmakers for endangered species

Science News, Feb 4, 1989 by Rick Weiss

Ryder also has used fingerprinting studies to learn more about the relationship between genetics and behavior in animals. "One thing that's come out of all these genetic analyses and behavioral studies," he says with some surprise, "is that the [behaviorally] dominant males don't always father the offspring." Findings like these seem to fly in the face of classical evolutionary theories, which generally assume dominant males have an increased chance of passing on their genes.

Still, for the increasing number of species whose only remaining habitat is a captive breeding center in a park or zoo, DNA fingerprinting's greatest value is its skill as a molecular matchmaker.

"The idea is that we should attempt to breed animals with gene pools similar to the gene pools that exist in the wild," says Ryder.

It's not difficult to get orangutans from Borneo and orangutans from Sumatra to mate and give birth to viable offspring, he says. "But there's a lot of water between Borneo and Sumatra," he adds, and biologists have no reason to move those islands -- or their inhabitants -- closer together.