I am wondering about some peoples view points, on the issue of captive breeding. A lot of breeders, and hobbyists............believe that captive breeding of threatened species, will save them from extinction, because of various factors. I guess everyone knows by now, that habitat destruction is the main threat to any species. But...............will captive breeding be enough to save the species? It looks like an easy answer............but many experts in the field,( Breene, Marshall) are very concerned and frustrated as to the methods of collection. They believe many species have been already compromised, as to their genetic purity.
Apparently, many collectors in the field, will not give out even vague data as to where said species has been collected, as they worry about competition finding the T's, and lessening their monetary gain, while not even considering the ramifications of cross breeding, and clouding up a bloodline. Breene has said, "We may reach a point, (perhaps we already have) where all these captive animals can be i.d.'ed only to genus, with no shot at at the species level". He was speaking of P.murinus, in this instance. This could turn out to be a nightmare for the preservation of any T's, as far as keeping a species pure and true in it's genetic bloodline. We could end up with a bunch of cross breeds, eventually, with no resemblance to the true type species representative, in some cases.
This has happened to H. gigas, and Brachypelma in some cases as well. Even Aphonopelma has potentialy been threatened in this way. In some cases, it is obvious, that living in captivity, is the only chance of preserving certain species. But..............what is everyones opinions? Do you think the hobby will have the chance to save some species.................when loss of habitat makes this the only chance of survival, for many species, and we can be sure, more will be dependant in the very near future. Or............do you think that, in some cases, the species I.D.ing will not exist, and they will simply be reduced to i.d.ing at the genus levels?
Apparently, many collectors in the field, will not give out even vague data as to where said species has been collected, as they worry about competition finding the T's, and lessening their monetary gain, while not even considering the ramifications of cross breeding, and clouding up a bloodline. Breene has said, "We may reach a point, (perhaps we already have) where all these captive animals can be i.d.'ed only to genus, with no shot at at the species level". He was speaking of P.murinus, in this instance. This could turn out to be a nightmare for the preservation of any T's, as far as keeping a species pure and true in it's genetic bloodline. We could end up with a bunch of cross breeds, eventually, with no resemblance to the true type species representative, in some cases.
This has happened to H. gigas, and Brachypelma in some cases as well. Even Aphonopelma has potentialy been threatened in this way. In some cases, it is obvious, that living in captivity, is the only chance of preserving certain species. But..............what is everyones opinions? Do you think the hobby will have the chance to save some species.................when loss of habitat makes this the only chance of survival, for many species, and we can be sure, more will be dependant in the very near future. Or............do you think that, in some cases, the species I.D.ing will not exist, and they will simply be reduced to i.d.ing at the genus levels?