Post‐release comparisons of amphibian growth reveal challenges with sperm cryopreservation as a conservation tool

Abstract

Abstract Conservation translocation using captive‐bred individuals has become increasingly important for species restoration. Despite advancements in technologies for captive‐breeding, such as gamete cryopreservation, it remains largely unknown if these artificially‐produced offspring can be used to establish a viable wild population. Using an amphibian species with a stable conservation status ( Anaxyrus fowleri ), we measured the post‐release growth and survivorship of offspring produced from frozen/thawed sperm and projected fecundity and population differences. Cryo‐derived tadpoles and post‐metamorphic toadlets were smaller than their natural counterparts. Model projections show that early‐life differences in growth can scale up to substantial differences in final life fecundity and population trends. Our findings call for greater attention towards the differences between captive‐bred and cryo‐derived individuals compared to their natural counterparts, and the need for more investment into developing cryopreservation technologies that are viable at the population level for conservation translocation.