The survey, which had for its main objective, the morphobiometrical characterization of the local chicken was carried out from December 2010 to March 2011 in 20 villages in Lobaye Division in the Central African Republic. It was carried out on 474 adult females and 183 adult males. The main results show that the morphological features are very heterogeneous. Indeed, five main types of feathering were observed: normal feathering (75.8%), crested type (10.4%), naked neck (7.0%), feathered tarsus (5.9%) and frizzle type (2.3%). The colouration of feathers is heterogeneous, with a predominance of the white (18.0%), wild (13.4%) and mahogany (11.1%) colours. The single comb is more frequent (95.8%), and is generally red (33.8%) or pink in colour (55.1%). Earlobes are red (24.7%), white (24.0%), white centred (18.1%), yellow (16.1%) or pink (14.6%). The wattles are mainly red (55.4%) or pink (35.2%). The tarsi are mainly yellow (40.6%) or white (37.9%). With regard to the biometric characteristics, the average weight of the local chicken of Lobaye is 1176 ± 206 g for females and 1514 ± 296 g for males. The live weight and most body measurements vary according to the sex and the feathering type. The live weight and the body measurements are significantly (P < 0.01) higher in the males. In the same way, the animals with feathered tarsi are heavier and bigger than the other phenotypes.

Kanarese buffaloes are medium built animals distributed in the South Kanara region on the west coast of South India. These buffaloes are dual purpose animals used mainly for agricultural operations in wet fields and for some milk production. They are famous for racing in water-bound fields. South Kanara buffaloes are moderate milk yielders producing about two to seven litres daily for a lactation period that ranged between 210 to 360 days. Genetic diversity analysis was performed using 10 microsatellite markers in a panel of 48 unrelated animals. The average number of alleles was estimated to be 6.30 with an average heterozygosity of 0.62 per locus. The population showed departure from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium at all of the 10 loci tested. The heterozygote deficiency was estimated as 9.2% suggesting the presence of considerable inbreeding in the population. The allele frequency distribution followed the normal L-shaped form suggesting that the breed had not encountered a genetic bottleneck in the recent past.

Se describen las actividades de conservación y caracterización del bovino criollo peruano en el Instituto Nacional de Investigación y extensión Agraria (INIEA), las mismas que se han desarrollado con la activa interacción con las comunidades rurales de las regiones peruanas de Ancash, Apurímac, Ayacucho, Junín y Puno, dedicadas a la crianza de ganado criollo; en las comunidades también se llevaron a cabo trabajo de campo y charlas participativas sobre la conservación de sus morfotipos locales. Las actividades desarrolladas incluyen la caracterización morfológica y molecular empleando microsatélites y RFLP para detectar genotipos de proteínas lácteas (variantes de kappa caseínas y beta lactoglobulinas). Esta información será de utilidad para los programas de mejoramiento del bovino criollo peruano en las comunidades rurales.

The beef cattle breed Danish Shorthorn is used as a model for simulation of four variations of the circular mating scheme running for 50 years. Schemes 1 and 2 used a fixed exchange of bulls between female groups while schemes 3 and 4 used a random exchange of bulls between female groups. The number of bulls used in schemes 1 and 4 was 16 while the number of bulls used in schemes 2 and 3 was 8. Inbreeding levels were computed and gene dropping was applied to estimate the risk of founder allele loss. In the population of year 50 the inbreeding levels for the four mating schemes are not statistically different. The male founder alleles contribute strongly to the population of year 50. The female founder alleles are in greater risk of being lost than the male founder alleles.

Characterization of three strains of indigenous goats found in three regions of Tanzania was undertaken on the basis of their phenotypes viz: body weight and measurements, colour pattern, ears and horns.

The three strains differed in the body weights and in the frequencies of the different coat colours. The Dodoma and Mtwara strains had similar body measurements, whereas the Kigoma strain was significantly smaller.

The breeding tract of Kathiawari horses is the Saurashtra region of Gujrat, comprising of the Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Surendranagar, Junagarh and Amreli districts. Kathiawari horses are reared for carting, riding, sports and transportation. The breed is closely related with the Marwari breed of Rajasthan. The most predominant body colour is chestnut in Kathiawari horses and black in Marwari horses. The capital nags of the Kathiawari breed are from 14 to 14.5 HH, sound, sure footed and hardy, fast and decidedly good looking. The herd size at farmer level varied from 1 to 4. In the study an attempt has been made to note the physical characteristics and management practices for rearing these horses in the breeding tract. Body measurement of Kathiawari and Marwari horses were recorded. It was observed that Kathiawari horses had a smaller body, shorter height, smaller heart girth, ears and face than the Marwari horses. The performance of the Kathiawari breed under intensive management was studied. The average age at first fertile service, and at first foaling, herd life, total foals during lifetime, gestation period, service period and foaling interval were 1 658±79 days, 1 989±80 days, 6 499±650 days, 4.93±0.52 foals, 333.58±1.76 days, 257.23±46.49 days and 597.76±49.70 days, respectively.

A brief historical, morphologic and behavioural review of the camel Fuerteventura breed (Majorero) is presented. Genetic variability within the breed was analysed (n = 10) using 11 microsatellite markers, neutral to the selection, and compared with an African camel population (n = 37). In spite of the fact that there are significantly fewer Majorero camels than African, the level of inbreeding, measured by means of the statistic FIS, is almost 3 times higher in the African camel, (3.2 versus 8.7). The set of markers used shows significant differences between the two populations, (FST = 3.1%) and provides sufficient discrimination (> 99%) to carry out a proper control of parentage in the studbook. Nevertheless, the molecular information available does not manage to assign the individuals into clusters corresponding to its population.

The paper deals with the indigenous chicken types of Ethiopia and attempts to characterize them according to some morphological attributes. In addition, their growth, reproductive ability and importance in the national economy are also discussed.

Indigenous Tswana pigs are mostly found in Southern Botswana. There is concern that the breed may become extinct due to the low usage of the breed and the lack of implementation of a comprehensive conservation strategy. The objectives of this study were to identify places where indigenous Tswana pigs are kept in Gaborone Agricultural Region and document the numbers, distribution, management and utilisation of these pigs. A formal questionnaire was administered to all indigenous pig farmers who could be identified. The data was analysed using procedure frequency in Statistical System Analysis. A total of 51 indigenous pig farmers were interviewed, of these 71%, 16% and 14% were in Southeast, Kgatleng and Kweneng districts respectively. Only one farmer kept crossbreeds with the majority keeping pure indigenous Tswana. A total of 124 sows, 23 boars, 32 castrates and 211 piglets were counted in this region. All the pigs were kept under the communal system. None of the farmers surveyed kept records and they exhibited limited knowledge of pig farming and improved management. Pigs were kept for home consumption with very few sold, given out as gifts or loaned out. Pig fat was used as a by-product to make soap and a lubricant in traditional leather rope making. The farmers’ perception of indigenous pigs is good; they claim that the pigs posses traits of economic importance such as high heat and drought tolerance, which are of great significance in the harsh climatic conditions of Botswana. There is a need to undertake conservation efforts for this breed given that it survives and reproduces under harsh climatic conditions and sub-standard management. More research and further action is required to increase the production of this breed.

The existence of sexual dimorphism in the Minorcan horse, an autochthonous breed from Minorca Island in the Balearic archipelago (NW Mediterranean Sea), is established in the official standard, with females being shorter and longer than males as well as having slenderer necks and a squarer croup. However, no study so far has explored the size and shape components of this dimorphism separately. The aim of this study was to analyse the morphology of this breed using geometric morphometric methods in order to find size and shape differences between sire lines. The analysis was based on landmarks digitized in lateral view from 38 registered adult Minorcan horses (20 males and 18 females) within an age range of 3–14 years (average 7 years) with different performance goals. The analyses did not reveal any significant differences between the “shape” and “size” of male and female animals, for the landmarks studied, so the sexes are functionally similar.

Farmers in different cattle production systems have different trait preferences and breeding strategies that need an investigation before designing any sustainable breeding plan. The present study was undertaken to assess characteristics deemed desirable, breeding practices and productive performance of Fipa cattle in three districts of southwestern highlands of Tanzania, using a structured questionnaire. The majority of farmers perceived body size (91.7 percent), body conformation (85 percent), body colours (85 percent), disease resistance (87.5 percent), heat/drought tolerance (82.5 percent), draught power (87.5 percent), better carcass (84.2 percent) and fertility (70.8 percent) as the most important attributes of the Fipa cattle. Most (91.6 percent) farmers preferred pure breeding to cross-breeding in order to maintain the genetic purity of the strain. Mating practice was random among the majority (95.8 percent) of the farmsteads owing to non-availability of breeding bulls for each individual farmstead (43.3 percent) and also owing to grazing on communal rangelands (52.5 percent). Selection of breeding bulls was rarely rationally done. Age at first calving was 50 ± 1.3 months, while lactation length and calving interval were 7.1 ± 2.8 and 15.5 ± 0.6 months, respectively. Mean daily milk yield at peak was 3.35 ± 0.15 litres, while longevity was 10.78 ± 0.59, 14.56 ± 0.50 and 15.48 ± 0.55 years for bulls, cows and castrates, respectively. The farmers’ preference for certain attributes and the inherent performance variability should be deployed as the entry point for participatory establishment of improvement and sustainable utilization strategies of the strain.

A content analysis of 167 country reports submitted for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture was conducted to determine the extent to which protected areas are recognized as means of conserving domestic animal diversity. For countries in which protected areas were reported to help conserve the diversity of domesticated animals, additional details were sought from a review of related literature. Protected areas were seldom discussed in country reports and were most often mentioned as means to protect biodiversity in general, wild relatives of domesticated animals or wild game species. The most frequently mentioned way in which protected areas conserve domestic animal diversity is through initiatives that utilize indigenous breeds of livestock in nature conservation programmes. By offering farmers financial incentives for these ecological services, protected areas help offset potential economic disadvantages of raising indigenous breeds that may be less productive in industrial environments. Additional incentives to raise indigenous breeds are supported by protected areas such as niche marketing of organic food and fibre, establishing “seed herd” programmes and tourism promotion. Many opportunities exist for protected area managers and authorities responsible for conserving animal genetic resources for food and agriculture to fulfil mutually compatible objectives.

Nili Ravi buffaloes are native to the Ferozepur, Amritsar and Gurdaspur districts of Punjab. A systematic survey was conducted in this area to study the socio-economic status of the farmers, and the demographic distribution and breed characteristics of Nili Ravi buffaloes. The majority of the farmers surveyed (84%) kept buffaloes. About 34 % of buffalo farmers were landless. Average land holdings were 1.50 hectares. Animals were provided with separate houses. The buffaloes were tied most of the time and fed chaffed fodder. Natural service was mainly practiced for the breeding of animals. Very few buffaloes had typical Nili Ravi characters (all extremities white). Most of the Nili Ravi type buffaloes now available have white markings on the forehead and hind legs only, and some have wall eyes i.e. eyes with a whitish iris. Average daily milk yield was 6.67 kg in a lactation period of 8–9 months. Nili Ravi type buffaloes constituted only 10.8 %, 8.7 % and 14 % of total buffaloes surveyed in Ferozepur, Amritsar and Gurdaspur districts, respectively. The estimated population of these buffaloes was about 0.2 million. The population of Nili Ravi is declining because of the non-availability of typical Nili Ravi bulls and non-marketability of Nili Ravi type (2–3 white extremities) animals.

En el presente estudio se presentan los primeros resultados de la determinación de la estructura genética de tres poblaciones de ganado bovino autóctono cubano: Criollo de Cuba, Cebú Cubano y Siboney de Cuba, para los loci de seis proteínas lácteas (CASA1, CASAB, CASA2, CASK, LAA y LGB). Se analizaron un total de 150 individuos (50 por cada raza), mediante análisis de ADN por PCR-RFLP.Se calcularon las frecuencias alélicas para cada locus así como condiciones de equilibrio de Hardy-Weinberg. Fueron identificados los alelos CASA1C y LAAA como evidencia de la presencia de genes de Bos indicus en las tres poblaciones cubanas. Se comprobó la existencia de elevada variabilidad en cada población lo que constituye un elemento importante para trazar estrategias de mejoramiento y/o conservación genética.

Globally, rural cattle keeping communities actively select and breed indigenous cattle to satisfy their interests and enhance adaptation to local landscapes. This study investigated how traditional systems in Uganda have shaped the morphometric population structure of indigenous cattle breeds. Ten linear morphometric traits were interrogated amongst 801 female cattle, comprising 46 Nganda (Bos indicus), 368 Ankole (B. taurus indicus) and 387 East African shorthorn zebu (EASZ, B. indicus). The study cattle were obtained evenly at random from 209 herds in their agro-ecological zones (AEZs) where they have been nurtured by traditional cattle keeping communities throughout Uganda. Age, AEZs and breed significantly influenced the variation of linear morphometric traits exhibiting a gradient of low, intermediate and high dimensions among the EASZ, Nganda and Ankole cattle, respectively. Likewise, the linear morphometric trait (Mahalanobis squared distance) diversity was significantly different exhibiting a gradient of low, intermediate and high variation between Nganda and EASZ, Ankole and Nganda, and Ankole and EASZ cattle, respectively. These findings demonstrate the role of agro-ecological fitness in the evolution of indigenous cattle morphometric population structure in Uganda. The study outcomes further provide a motivation to search for genes associated with the diverse morphometric features.

En este trabajo se describe la cabra de raza Bermeya de Asturias (norte de España). Es una raza de capa rubia que constituyó hasta mediados del siglo XX la población caprina más importante de la rama occidental de la Cornisa Cantábrica española. Los reproductores adultos de esta raza presentan pesos medios de 64 kg en los machos y 42 kg en las hembras. La alzada a la cruz media es de 81 cm en los machos y 74 en las hembras. La longitud escápulo isquiática es, respectivamente, de 75 y 71 cm. Se ha realizado una encuesta en 27 explotaciones inscritas en el Libro Genealógico de la raza para estimar el riesgo estructural que presenta la población. La encuesta caracterizó las condiciones estructurales y socioeconómicas que comprendían la composición del rebaño, la base territorial, instalaciones y maquinaria, la alimentación del ganado, manejo y gestión de reproductores, producciones, destino de la producción y comercialización, estado sanitario, aspectos sociales de la explotación, e ingresos y primas. El sistema productivo en que se desenvuelve la raza Bermeya resulta especialmente frágil: las explotaciones son de pequeña dimensión y con un acusado componente tradicional; las producciones caprinas pueden no resultar competitivas si no existe un decidido apoyo de las administraciones al mantenimiento de esta actividad. Los ganaderos que mantienen ganado de raza Bermeya son fundamentalmente jóvenes y serían receptivos a una acción sostenida de la administración.

The Brazilian Amazon is a wide territory totalling 60 percent of the country's area. Of this area, 600 000 km2 is occupied by humans and related activities. This, among other factors, leads to the destruction of the Amazon's natural resources. The area of cut down and degraded forest may range from 5 to 12 percent of the total area. Therefore, many of the Amazon species are at risk of extinction. However, it is deemed urgent to investigate and preserve the threatened animal species.

The total number of mammal species in the world is recorded at 4 629 and there is a great diversity of them in the Amazon, including animals that live on land, water or those that fly. Despite this huge biodiversity, the most relevant species for the human population, are the domestic species, brought to the continent by the first settlers: Portuguese and Spanish.

The most important livestock in the Amazon region are cattle, horses, buffaloes, sheep and goats. They occupy all Amazon ecosystems and are of very important consideration for the opening of agricultural frontiers and for influencing the natural ecosystems, since the main reason for the cutting down of large forest areas has been to use them for pastures. This has resulted in an artificial ecosystem of degraded natural environment.

The Animal Germplasm Bank of East Amazon (BAGAM) is the animal germplasm bank for the conservation of animal genetic resources of Embrapa East Amazon, and is part of the research project entitled “Animal Genetic Resources of East Amazon”. The project is formed by two sub-projects: “Germplasm bank of animals of interest to the East Region of the Brazilian Amazon” and “Genetic characterisation of buffaloes in the Brazilian Amazon, through the use of molecular markers”. These two sub-projects are linked to the research programme led by CENARGEN, called Conservation and Utilisation of Animal Genetic Resources.

The breeding tract of Spiti horses is located in the Kaja subdivision of the Lahul and Spiti district and the Yanthang area of the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh in India. The horses in this area are smaller in height and called Spiti ponies. They are reared as pack animals at high altitude. Their body is well developed with fairly strong bones. The mane is long and has hairs of 25 to 40 cm in length. The body is solid, displaying and alert attitude, the face is convex, the ears are erect and the eyes are black. The tail is medium in length and straight. The horses are docile in temperament. The body colours are grey, brown, black and piebald. On an average, these horses stand 129 cm height, have a body length of 100 cm, a heart girth of 148 cm, an ear length of 15 cm and a face length of 50 cm. Animals are reared on grazing (alpine pasture) from May to November and stall fed from December to April. The breeding season is from February to July. The average age at first fertile service, age at first foaling, gestation period, service period and foaling interval were estimated as 1 054, 1 297, 333, 63 and 516 days, respectively under intensive management at Kamand farm. It has also been ascertained from various sources that their number is declining rapidly, however breed population statistics are not available. There is, therefore, an urgent need to conserve this breed.

The Polypay sheep breed was developed at the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station with a reproductive capacity markedly superior to that of domestic US western range breeds. The Polypay is a four breed composite of Targhee, Rambouillet, Dorset and Finnish Landrace breeds. It is a medium-sized wool sheep (average mature ewe weight of 72 kg) with a smooth body free of excessive skin wrinkles on the neck and body and a poll head. Comparative studies with other US domestic breeds have shown the Polypay to have earlier sexual maturity higher fertility and prolificacy rates. Mature ewes give birth to an average of 2.4 lambs and wean an average total litter weight of 63.8 kg per ewe at 120 days post partum. Lamb survival rates to 21 and 120 days are greater than those of other breeds compared. Average individual lamb weaning weight at 120 days (36.1 kg) exceeded that for Rambouillet and Targhee lambs (34.5 and 33.8 kg, respectively). Polypay carcasses are similar to those of Rambouillet and Targhee for dressing percentage, body wall thickness, kidney and pelvic fat, and ribeye area. Measures of carcass fat are less in the Polypay when compared to the Rambouillet and Targhee while qualitative leg scores for the Polypay were more favorable. Productive longevity under western range herded conditions does not differ among Polypay, Rambouillet, Targhee and Columbia sheep. In a farm flock production system, the average number of productive years for Polypay ewes exceeded that of most crossbred types. Wool characteristics are defined as a coarse to medium grade wool with a fiber diameter ranging from 24 to 33 μm. Fiber staple length ranges from 7.6 to 12.7 cm with a common mean of approximately 10 cm. Raw fleece weights are considered light and range from 2.7 to 4.5 kg. Yield of clean wool is approximately 57 percent. Economic evaluations favored the Polypay in all production systems considered with 15 to 36 percent increase in sales or profits compared to other US domestic breeds. When considering the Polypay breed for importation, some prudence should be exercised because it may not be suitable to all environments and production systems in the world, especially where nutritional and management resources are not sufficient to support lactating ewes rearing twins.