Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University will lead a multi-site research project to support the collections care and management of at-risk amphibians in immediate danger of extinction. The project team includes 23 partner institutions that will develop and disseminate new tools to facilitate the preservation and sharing of biomaterials from threatened amphibians for their genetic management; train zoo staff and students on biomaterial preservation of reproductive materials; and conduct foundational research on a one-plan approach that links the conservation of populations in the wild and in zoological facilities through biomaterial banking for improved sustainability. Project findings will help reduce the risk of population collapse of the living collections and maximize genetic diversity through storage of key reproductive cells. The project team will share results in peer-reviewed publications, conferences, video tutorials, podcasts, websites, and social media as well as through advanced training workshops.