Bringing Back the Hawaii Mamo

Researching the Reality of Cloning Extinct Species

Jaysha Alonzo-Estrada
Iliana Nakamoto
Momilani Delostrico
Kaila Kaaihue
Regan Stradtmann-Carvalho



Introduction:
The extinct Hawaiian animal we chose to bring back was the Hawaii Mamo (Drepanis
pacifica). It became extinct due to habitat loss and over-collecting. The feathers of these birds
were collected in the forests of Olaa for the capes and hats of our alii (chiefs). It is said that
Kamehamehas cape, the chief responsible for uniting the Hawaiian Kingdom, had 8,000
feathers from the mamo for his cape. The Black Mamo is one of many different species of the
Mamo bird. Its native homeland is said to be on Molokai and Maui.
The Hawaii Mamo was a type of honeycreeper. Our host animal that we found was the
Iiwi, which is also a honeycreeper. The reason we need a host is because our group chose to
bring the animal back through somatic cell nuclear transfer. The commonness of these birds
incorporates their beaks, which extend out for extracting of nectar from plants.


Solution:
SCNT happens when you take the nucleus from the DNA of a sample of the extinct
animal and then transplant the DNA into an egg cell of a non-extinct animal that is close in
relation and structure to the extinct animal. It is important to note that the nucleus extracted from
the sample of the extinct animal does not have to be taken from an egg or sperm cell, it may
taken from any cell that contains the DNA of the animal. For this particular species we would
extract DNA from feathers of this animal that were used in the cape of Kamehameha the Great.
After the DNA from the extinct animal replaces the DNA from the egg cell of a living species, the
egg may be planted into a surrogate mother of the same species as the egg. From here the egg
will grow inside of the surrogate mother until it is given birth to (or laid in this case and then
hatches).
Somatic cell nuclear transplantation may seem like a foolproof plan since the offspring
that is produced has the same DNA as the extinct species. However, problems may occur since
there can still be traces of the surrogate mothers DNA in the golgi apparatus of the cell that can
conflict with the new extinct animals DNA. This can cause problems in the clone such as having
enlarged organs, arthritic problems, and increased risk for cancer and other diseases.
We may encounter problems to emulate their natural habitat, but in Volcano, there are
many canopy trees for them to live in. Since the forest of volcano (known in ancient times as
Olaa) was the natural habitat of this extinct animal, the trees and climate found there would be
keep to housing this species if scientists were successful in bringing it back. Some of the
challenges we might have to face would be the survival of this species against many invasive
species that could have been introduced or have become more prominent since the Mamos
extinction. For example, Mynah birds, which were not always as abundant, have become a
more prominent species in Volcano, and they are quite an aggressive species at that. This could
pose a problem to the Mamos ability to gather food and to find nesting grounds in an area with
more aggressive alien species.
Once the Hawaiian Mamo would be brought back, we would have to facilitate the
expansion of their species and breeding. Of course, getting to involved in their reproduction
processes could cause over dependence on us. We would have to slowly adjust them to be able
to thrive in the Volcano forests we have. They would most likely adapt in ways that change
perhaps the physical appearance to help it survive, or make it faster/ more alert in the case of
predators.

Questions for Sage Ridge Students:
What species would you guys clone? Why?
Could you think of any other challenges we might face in trying to clone this animal?
Any suggestions for how we might improve this plan/explanation?