Diversity analysis of sheep breeds from Southern peninsular and Eastern regions of India

Information is presented on the genetic diversity and relationship among six Indian sheep breeds/populations belonging to the Southern peninsular and Eastern agroecological zones, based on microsatellite markers. Parameters of genetic variation, viz., allele diversity, observed heterozygosity, gene diversity and population inbreeding estimates, were calculated for the six breeds. The allele diversity ranged from 6.40 to 7.92, whereas the gene diversity varied from 0.617 to 0.727. The highest allele and gene diversity was observed for Nellore sheep, while the lowest was exhibited by Garole breed. Within population inbreeding estimate (F _IS) revealed a significant deficit of heterozygotes in Deccani, Madgyal, Nellore and Garole, whereas Ganjam and Chhotanagpuri sheep showed an excess of heterozygotes. The contribution of each breed to the total diversity of the breeds was quantified by the Weitzman approach. The marginal loss of diversity incurred with removal of Nellore and Garole breeds was higher (>27%), whereas removal of Deccani breed resulted in lowest loss of diversity (3.84%) from the set. Estimation of the genetic differentiation (F _ST) and genetic distance (D _A) between the pairs of breeds revealed a close relationship between Deccani and Madgyal sheep (F _ST = 0.017; D _A = 0.080) and greatest demarcation between Madgyal and Garole breeds (F _ST = 0.110; D _A = 0.622). The information generated would help in shaping genetic management and conservation programs for the sheep breeds under consideration.     

Gamma radiation susceptibility of strains of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) resistant and susceptible to fenvalerate

Gamma radiation susceptibility of adults of the fenvalerateresistant strain of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera : Tenebrionidae) was studied under laboratory conditions. Selection for resistance to fenvalerate in adult beetles was carried out up to the sixth generation. In each generation of selection, adults of the fenvalerateresistant strain were evaluated for susceptibility to gamma radiation and compared with their fenvalerate-susceptible counterparts. Susceptibility to 60Co gamma radiation was evaluated on the basis of dosage-mortality (LD) and time-mortality (LT) responses. We found the LD values 50 50 50 for the fenvalerate-resistant and-susceptible strains to be 89.16 and 97.46 Gy respectively, showing no significant difference in susceptibility to gamma radiation. LT values were 7.58 and 17.20 days for the 50 fenvalerate-resistant and-susceptible strains respectively, showing that mortality in the resistant strain occurred markedly earlier than in the susceptible strain.     

Mycorrhizal dependency and growth responses of Acacia nilotica and Albizzia lebbeck to inoculation by indigenous AM fungi as influenced by available soil P levels in a semi-arid Alfisol wasteland

A series of available phosphorus (Olsen) levels ranging from 10 to 40 ppm were achieved in a semi-arid soil. The influence of the levels of phosphorus on the symbiotic interaction between two subtropical tree species, Acacia nilotica and Albizzia lebbeck, and a mixed inoculum of indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi was evaluated in a greenhouse study. The extent to which the plant species depended on AM fungi for dry matter production decreased as the levels of soil P increased, but the degree of this decrease differed in the two species tested. Acacia nilotica colonized by AM fungi showed a significant increase in shoot P and dry matter at a soil P level of 10 ppm whereas in Albizzia lebbeck, such increase occurred at 20 ppm. Mycorrhizal inoculation response disappeared beyond soil P levels of 25 ppm in Acacia nilotica and 30 ppm in Albizzia lebbeck. Levels of soil P greater than 25 ppm suppressed AM fungus colonization in both species. Soil P levels of 30 and 40 ppm and 40 ppm caused negative mycorrhizal dependencies (MD) in Acacia nilotica and Albizzia lebbeck respectively. Values of MD for both species were negatively correlated with soil P levels. Based on the MD values, regression equations were developed to predict MD for given levels of available P.     

In vitro Evaluation of in vivo Fertilizing Ability of Frozen Rabbit Semen

The present work studied different spermatozoa parameters and the ability of frozen rabbit spermatozoa to fertilize, in vitro, in vivo‐matured oocytes, as a test to predict their in vivo fertility and prolificacy. Semen from rabbit bucks was frozen using two freezing protocols [in a freezer at ?30°C or in liquid nitrogen vapour (LNV)]. For the in vivo trial, females were inseminated with frozen‐thawed spermatozoa. Oocytes used for in vitro testing were recovered 14 h after ovulation induction from donors and co‐incubated with 2 × 10⁶ frozen‐thawed spermatozoa during 4 h at 37°C in Tyrode's medium under an atmosphere of 5% CO₂ in air with maximal humidity. After co‐incubation period, presumptive zygotes were cultured in TCM199 supplemented with 20% foetal bovine serum (FBS), under the same conditions described above. Although no statistical differences were observed between freezing protocols in seminal parameters [motility rate: 40 and 35%, VCL: 35 and 46 μm/s, amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH): 1.7 and 2.4 μm, for semen frozen at ?30°C and in LNV, respectively], significant differences were noted in the fertilizing ability in vivo and in vitro. Semen frozen at ?30°C showed the highest fertilizing ability in vitro (26.7% vs 6.2 and 8.7% for semen frozen at ?30°C, in LNV and fresh semen, respectively) and the lowest fertility rate in vivo (21.7% vs 64.2% and 70.6% for semen frozen at ?30°C, in LNV and fresh semen, respectively). Sperm frozen at ?30°C seemed to be more capacitated.     

Microsatellite-based diversity analysis and genetic relationships of three Indian sheep breeds

The genetic structure of three Indian sheep breeds from two different geographical locations (Nali, Chokla from north‐western arid and semi‐arid region; Garole from eastern saline marshy region) of India was investigated by means of 11 ovine‐specific microsatellite markers as proposed in FAOs MoDAD programme. Microsatellite analysis revealed high allelic and gene diversity in all the three breeds. Nali sheep showed higher mean number of alleles and gene diversity (6.27 and 0.65) than Chokla (5.63 and 0.64) and Garole (5.63 and 0.59). High within population inbreeding estimates observed in the three breeds (F_IS, Chokla = 0.286, Nali = 0.284, Garole = 0.227) reflected deficit of heterozygotes. The overall estimates for F‐statistics were significantly (p < 0.05) different from zero. High values of F_ST (0.183) across all the loci revealed substantial degree of breed differentiation. Based on pair wise F_ST and N_m between different breeds, Nali and Chokla (F_ST = 6.62% and N_m = 4.80) were observed to be the closest followed by Garole and Nali (F_ST = 20.9% and N_m = 1.80), and Garole and Chokla (F_ST = 21.4% and N_m = 1.71). In addition, genetic distance estimates, phylogeny analysis and individual assignment test used to evaluate interbreed genetic proximity and population structure also revealed substantial genetic differentiation between Garole and the other two Rajasthani (Nali and Chokla) sheep. This divergent status of Garole sheep indicated genetic uniqueness of this breed suggesting higher priority for its conservation.     

Bioenergetic considerations in cereal breeding for protein improvement

The bioenergetic implications of changing cereal grain protein concentrations and amino acid compositions by plant breeding are examined. It is shown that increased inputs of carbon assimilates and nitrogen are necessary when increasing protein concentration in cereal grains while maintaining high yields. Also, energetic requirements for obtaining endosperm proteins with a high lysine content in genotypes of maize and barley are slightly higher than in normal lysine stocks. The implications for plant breeding are discussed.     

The Relationship Between Religion and Attitudes Toward Large Carnivores in Northern India?

Evidence suggests that religion is an important driver of peoples’ attitudes toward nature, but the link between religion and carnivore conservation is poorly understood. We examined peoples’ attitudes in Buddhist (n = 83) and Muslim communities (n = 111) toward snow leopards (Panthera uncia) and wolves (Canis lupus) in Ladakh, India. We found that the effect of religion on attitudes was statistically nonsignificant, and was tempered by gender, education, and awareness of wildlife laws. Even though religion by itself was not an indication of an individual’s attitude toward large carnivores, the extent to which he/she practiced it (i.e., religiosity) had a positive correlation with pro-carnivore attitudes in the case of Buddhist but not Muslim communities. Our findings indicate that it may be useful to integrate locally relevant religious philosophies into conservation practice. However, the emphasis of conservation messaging should vary, stressing environmental stewardship in the case of Islam, and human–wildlife interdependence in the case of Buddhism.