What is the primary function of the *assurance colonies* maintained by zoological institutions?
Answer
To hold captive breeding populations as a safeguard
Assurance colonies serve as a vital insurance policy against the complete extinction of the Wyoming Toad in the wild. These colonies are maintained by various zoological institutions, such as the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, and house captive populations. Their purpose is to safeguard the genetic diversity and existence of the species by ensuring a readily available source population exists separate from the recovery areas. If a catastrophic event were to wipe out the reintroduced wild numbers, these colonies would provide the necessary stock for future re-establishment efforts.
Related Questions
Where was the Wyoming Toad (*Anaxyrus baxteri*) historically concentrated?Which three sites define the active reintroduction efforts for the toad?What is the primary function of the *assurance colonies* maintained by zoological institutions?What specific amphibian pathogen has devastated wild Wyoming Toad populations?What critical requirement must breeding water bodies meet for Wyoming Toads?What term describes raising toadlets in zoos before releasing them to recovery areas?Why is movement outside designated recovery boundaries risky for reintroduced toads?What specific soil type is required for Wyoming Toads during non-breeding periods?Which project engages volunteers in tracking reintroduction success at sites like Trout Creek?What does sustained recruitment at Lake LaPrele signal about management success?Which specific zoological institution is named as participating in assurance colony efforts?