New Results
First endangered black-footed ferrets, Mustela nigripes, cloned for genetic rescue
Ben Jacob Novak, Pete Gober, Robyn Bortner, Della Garelle, Mary Wright, Justin Novak, Marlys L Houck, Oliver A Ryder, Dennis Milutinovich, Jill Benavidez, Kerry Ryan, Shawn Walker, Sanaz Sadeghieh Arenivas, Lauren Aston, Blake Russell, Paul Marinari, Adrienne Crosier, Kelly Helmick, Mary R Gibson, Daniel P Carlson, Bradley J Swanson, Samantha M Wisely, Zoe S White, Colleen Lynch, Ryan Phelan
doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.17.589896
Ben Jacob Novak
1 Revive & Restore;
Pete Gober
2 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center;
Robyn Bortner
2 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center;
Della Garelle
2 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center;
Mary Wright
2 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center;
Justin Novak
2 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center;
Marlys L Houck
3 Beckman Center for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance;
Oliver A Ryder
3 Beckman Center for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance;
Dennis Milutinovich
4 ViaGen Pets & Equine;
Jill Benavidez
4 ViaGen Pets & Equine;
Kerry Ryan
4 ViaGen Pets & Equine;
Shawn Walker
4 ViaGen Pets & Equine;
Sanaz Sadeghieh Arenivas
4 ViaGen Pets & Equine;
Lauren Aston
4 ViaGen Pets & Equine;
Blake Russell
4 ViaGen Pets & Equine;
Paul Marinari
5 Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute;
Adrienne Crosier
5 Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute;
Kelly Helmick
5 Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute;
Mary R Gibson
6 Central Michigan University;
Daniel P Carlson
6 Central Michigan University;
Bradley J Swanson
6 Central Michigan University;
Samantha M Wisely
6 Central Michigan University;
Zoe S White
6 Central Michigan University;
Colleen Lynch
7 Population Management Center, Lincoln Park Zoo
Ryan Phelan
1 Revive & Restore;

Abstract
An endangered black-footed ferret female that died in 1988 with no living descendants in the current population was successfully cloned from cryopreserved cells using cross-species somatic cell nuclear transfer, producing three healthy kits. Incorporating progeny from these clones would provide an 8th founder to the breeding program and increase genetic variation to the species’ limited gene-pool. This marks the first time a native U.S. endangered species has been cloned.
Competing Interest Statement
The authors have declared no competing interest.
Copyright
The copyright holder for this preprint is the author/funder, who has granted bioRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission.
Posted April 20, 2024.
First endangered black-footed ferrets, Mustela nigripes, cloned for genetic rescue
Ben Jacob Novak, Pete Gober, Robyn Bortner, Della Garelle, Mary Wright, Justin Novak, Marlys L Houck, Oliver A Ryder, Dennis Milutinovich, Jill Benavidez, Kerry Ryan, Shawn Walker, Sanaz Sadeghieh Arenivas, Lauren Aston, Blake Russell, Paul Marinari, Adrienne Crosier, Kelly Helmick, Mary R Gibson, Daniel P Carlson, Bradley J Swanson, Samantha M Wisely, Zoe S White, Colleen Lynch, Ryan Phelan
bioRxiv 2024.04.17.589896; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.17.589896
First endangered black-footed ferrets, Mustela nigripes, cloned for genetic rescue
Ben Jacob Novak, Pete Gober, Robyn Bortner, Della Garelle, Mary Wright, Justin Novak, Marlys L Houck, Oliver A Ryder, Dennis Milutinovich, Jill Benavidez, Kerry Ryan, Shawn Walker, Sanaz Sadeghieh Arenivas, Lauren Aston, Blake Russell, Paul Marinari, Adrienne Crosier, Kelly Helmick, Mary R Gibson, Daniel P Carlson, Bradley J Swanson, Samantha M Wisely, Zoe S White, Colleen Lynch, Ryan Phelan
bioRxiv 2024.04.17.589896; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.04.17.589896
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