Abstract: Ambystoma mexicanum is in danger of extinction in free-living, due to anthropogenic actions; sperm cryopreservation for captive breeding can help in its ex-situ conservation. This research aimed to identify the viability of fresh and post-thawing sperm from different spermatophores. During the breeding season, spermatophores releasing was induced in nine specimens by reducing water temperature. The mean concentration per spermatophores was 2.6 ± 0.6 x104 sperm. A reduction of 30 % of living sperms and an increase of 15 % of abnormal morphology were determined in fresh and post-thawing sperm. With the WGA and PNA lectins bounded to FITC, two different fluorescence patterns were determined in each one, which showed the membrane presence and distribution of N-acetyl glucosamine, sialic acid, and mannose respectively. Sperm percentages in each fluorescence pattern showed differences associated with the number of spermatophores in each release. Differences in sperm viability from releases with different numbers of spermatophores were determined. The sperm collection and cryopreservation protocol of A mexicanum were efficient as tools for using cryopreserved semen for ex situ reproduction.

Resumen: El Ambystoma mexicanum se encuentra en peligro de extinción en vida libre, debido a efectos antropogénicos; la criopreservación espermática para su reproducción en cautiverio, puede ayudar a su conservación ex situ. El objetivo de esta investigación fue identificar la viabilidad en fresco y post descongelación de espermatozoides provenientes de diferentes espermatóforos. Durante la temporada reproductiva se indujo en nueve ejemplares, la liberación de espermatóforos mediante la reducción de la temperatura del agua. La concentración promedio por espermatóforo fue de 2.6 ± 0.6 X104 espermatozoides. Se determinó en espermatozoides en fresco y post descongelación, una reducción del 30% de espermatozoides vivos y un incremento de 15 % de morfología anormal. Con las lectinas WGA y PNA, unidas a FITC, se determinaron dos patrones de fluorescencia distintos con cada una, lo cual evidencio la presencia y distribución membranal de N-acetil glucosamina, ácido siálico y manosa respectivamente. Los porcentajes de espermatozoides con cada patrón de fluorescencia mostraron diferencias asociadas al número de espermatóforos de cada liberación. Se determinaron diferencias en la viabilidad de espermatozoides obtenidos de liberaciones con diferente número de espermatóforos. El protocolo para la obtención y criopreservación espermática de A mexicanum, fue eficiente como herramienta para utilizar semen criopreservado para su reproducción ex situ.

ABSTRACT This study focused on the relationship between the perceptions and attitudes of visitors at the Jardín Zoológico Payo Obispo and their support for the conservation of nine animal species, native of southeastern Mexico. Results from 198 surveys applied from November 2018 to February 2019, show that fear is the most important factor for visitors to decide if they support the protection of opossums and boas, while for ferruginous pygmy-owl and Morelet’s crocodile it was the aesthetic consideration (“ugly”). For the remainder species, with the exception of the jicotea turtle, both, the fear, and the aesthetic perceptions directly influence conservation support.

RESUMEN Este estudio se enfocó en la relación entre las percepciones y actitudes de los visitantes del Jardín Zoológico Payo Obispo y el apoyo a la conservación de nueve especies de fauna, nativas del sureste de México. Los resultados de 198 encuestas aplicadas entre noviembre de 2018 y febrero de 2019 muestran que el miedo es el factor más importante para que los visitantes decidan si apoyan la protección de las zarigüeyas y las boas; mientras que para el búho pigmeo ferruginoso y el cocodrilo de Morelet este factor fue la consideración estética (“feo”). Para el resto de las especies, con excepción de la tortuga jicotea, tanto el miedo como la percepción estética influyen directamente en el apoyo a su conservación.

Abstract Nowadays, the third part of parrots in the world is endangered or vulnerable; an alternative for their preservation is assisted reproduction in captivity through hormonal manipulation. In birds, GnRH is the main hormone which controls reproductive physiology, it is known there are three types: GnRH-I, GnRH-II and GnRH-III, involved in the release or inhibition of luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulant hormone to control gonadal and gametic development. The objective of this study was, to evaluate the effect of administrating synthetic GnRH-I in the testicular development of Melopsittacus undulatus. Twenty-eight adult budgerigars were randomly divided in two groups: control (n=14) and treated (n=14) with a unique dose of synthetic GnRH-I. Testicular development was assessed through ultrasonography and density was evaluated with pixels. Germinal diameter and thickness of germinal epithelium were determined with histology; there were identified and countified different cellular strains in seminiferous tubules therefore spermatobioscopy. Results. Ecographic density was: control group: 76 ± 7 pixels, treated group 41 ± 3 pixels. Thickness of germinal epitellium, 51.5 ± 2.9µm and 73.1 ± 3.1µm, for control group and treated group respectively. Sperm concentration in the treated group was 300% superior than in control group. It is concluded that the administration of synthetic GnRH-I, is a viable alternative to be used as part of the assisted reproductive techniques to induce reproduction.