I am interested in opinions on how to make a database for Phelsuma in North America. This would be a huge project so I want it to be done as good as possible. We need a constantly up to date list of Phelsuma breeders here in Canada and the U.S. In my opinion this database should include all breeders(or whoever wants to join) and what species they are breeding. Obviously the more people that join the more useful this tool will be. This way if you are looking to get some Phelsuma species there will be a list of who breeds what here in North America. Also this database should include lineage info and a way to get into contact with a breeder of the species you are interested in. This way there will be no inbreeding or as little as possible. This has the potential of being such a large project it might not be possible or feasable. This is just an idea and it would be nice to have this information for anyone to access. Breeders would also benifit because of the advertising(in a way). People looking to get involved with Phelsuma would see a list and be able to contact the people that have the species that they want. Anyways just post ideas on how to make this project work or if you think it will work at all.
Phelsuma database
- Thread starter Rbeitle
- Start date
DCReptiles
New member
Ryan, this is a great idea it might be a little tough.... also as a suggestion only use reputable breeders of Phelsuma, And also interbreeding can be a very useful tool... like bringing out certain traits in a species, that is one of the only ways to do it, and Like P klemmeri all have came from one group..... If you think about it without interbreeding the progress made by many breeders trying to repopulate a species, they wouldnt have made any progress....
Geitje
New member
Ryan,
I think your idea is something that can be realized by some of the more dedicated people keeping Phelsuma in North America. The people who make up that initial group should be well-known and trusted people with verifiable accounts of how and where they got their animals. Once the foundation of people are set, a website/webmaster can be hired to finish the job. I doubt it would be very hard at all actually. The number of obtainable species are finite and few. The number of trackable bloodlines are even less. I hate to say it, but probably more than 50% of known Phelsuma can be listed on the database with a single entery.
The obstacles are obvious too -
1. The information regarding bloodlines is only as good as the word that was given to the present breeder.
2. Not everyone will be able to actively participate (not responsible with bloodlines, records, or understanding of simple bloodline management).
3. The ability to keep a running database with a knowledgeable webmaster who is capable of constantly undating records for all those who participate.
4. The inevitable loss of ability to keep track of our bloodlines (ex. pet trade) and then when we re-acquire animals that are unknowingly a decendent of an original bloodline - yet erroneously call it a new bloodline.
5. The tendency for many breeders to keep some species in their collections "secret" or even their entire Phelsuma stock secret.
Once the objectives are laid down, there should be no problem in organising a group of like-minded individuals to get this thing rolling. The longterm impact for the idea is clear. We're not getting anymore imports of fresh Phelsuma outside of the 4 allowed species (madagascariensis, quad., laticauda, and lineata complexes). I've heard talk that these last 4 Phelsuma are next on the hit list. Laticauda has already became somewhat rare again in Europe! But, once these last 4 are gone - that's it. That's what we and our future have to work with for the long haul.
I'm already doing this on a personal level, and with a couple of other like-minded people. The sad part is - once "our group" sends something out - it's like dumping a marked fish back out into the ocean. It's going to be very hard to locate them later on down the road.
Jon
I think your idea is something that can be realized by some of the more dedicated people keeping Phelsuma in North America. The people who make up that initial group should be well-known and trusted people with verifiable accounts of how and where they got their animals. Once the foundation of people are set, a website/webmaster can be hired to finish the job. I doubt it would be very hard at all actually. The number of obtainable species are finite and few. The number of trackable bloodlines are even less. I hate to say it, but probably more than 50% of known Phelsuma can be listed on the database with a single entery.
The obstacles are obvious too -
1. The information regarding bloodlines is only as good as the word that was given to the present breeder.
2. Not everyone will be able to actively participate (not responsible with bloodlines, records, or understanding of simple bloodline management).
3. The ability to keep a running database with a knowledgeable webmaster who is capable of constantly undating records for all those who participate.
4. The inevitable loss of ability to keep track of our bloodlines (ex. pet trade) and then when we re-acquire animals that are unknowingly a decendent of an original bloodline - yet erroneously call it a new bloodline.
5. The tendency for many breeders to keep some species in their collections "secret" or even their entire Phelsuma stock secret.
Once the objectives are laid down, there should be no problem in organising a group of like-minded individuals to get this thing rolling. The longterm impact for the idea is clear. We're not getting anymore imports of fresh Phelsuma outside of the 4 allowed species (madagascariensis, quad., laticauda, and lineata complexes). I've heard talk that these last 4 Phelsuma are next on the hit list. Laticauda has already became somewhat rare again in Europe! But, once these last 4 are gone - that's it. That's what we and our future have to work with for the long haul.
I'm already doing this on a personal level, and with a couple of other like-minded people. The sad part is - once "our group" sends something out - it's like dumping a marked fish back out into the ocean. It's going to be very hard to locate them later on down the road.
Jon
