Organization and Management of Conservation Programs and Research in Domestic Animal Genetic Resources

Creating national committees for domestic animal genetic resources within genetic resource national commissions is recommended to organize in situ and ex situ conservation initiatives. In situ conservation is a high priority because it retains traditional zootechnical contexts and locations to ensure the long-term survival of breeds. In situ actions can be based on subsidies, technical support, structure creation, or trademark definition. Provisional or permanent relocation of breeds may prevent immediate extinction when catastrophes, epizootics, or social conflicts compromise in situ conservation. Ex situ in vivo (animal preservation in rescue or quarantine centers) and in vitro methods (germplasm, tissues/cells, DNA/genes storage) are also potential options. Alert systems must detect emergencies and summon the national committee to implement appropriate procedures. Ex situ coordinated centers must be prepared to permanently or provisionally receive extremely endangered collections. National germplasm banks must maintain sufficient samples of national breeds (duplicated) in their collections to restore extinct populations at levels that guarantee the survival of biodiversity. A conservation management survey, describing national and international governmental and non-governmental structures, was developed. Conservation research initiatives for international domestic animal genetic resources from consortia centralize the efforts of studies on molecular, genomic or geo-evolutionary breed characterization, breed distinction, and functional gene identification. Several consortia also consider ex situ conservation relying on socioeconomic or cultural aspects. The CONBIAND network (Conservation for the Biodiversity of Local Domestic Animals for Sustainable Rural Development) exemplifies conservation efficiency maximization in a low-funding setting, integrating several Latin American consortia with international cooperation where limited human, material, and economic resources are available.

A note on Indian farm animal genetic resources

SummaryIndia has a rich diversity of cattle, buffalo, sheep and goat breeds which are not only important to the people of India, but have contributed significantly to livestock programmes in many other tropical and sub-tropical climatic areas of the world. Most important is the fact that our domestic animal genetic resources (AGR) are under threat. This paper highlights the main AGR of India; the threat to biodiversity and the efforts made for conserving and improving indigenous livestock breeds.

THE INDIGENOUS DOMESTIC ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES OF UGANDA

SUMMARYThe author discusses the overall availability and economic role of indigenous livestock resources in Uganda. After a distinct reduction in number during the 80's, there is now an upsurge in the cattle number (4 300 000 in 199 1). The better milk yielding Ankole (Songa cattle) represents nearly half of those cattle, while just over 32% are of the zebu short-horn type (mainly the stocky Nkedi and the large framed Karamojong). The remaining 18% are of the non-distinct Nganda type that probably originated the crossbreeding of the Ankole and zebu shorthorns. While there are no exact data concemin crossbreeding with exotic breeds, it is estimated that there are some 30 000 exotic beef and dairy cattle and around 100 000 crossbreeds. The total goat population remained reasonably stable in recent years (3 700 000 of which 2 000 000 are breeding females). The majority (I 500 000) belong to the distinct smallbodied East Afiican goat type (25–30 kg liveweight), the two other distinct populations being those originating in the Mubende (4 230 000) and the Kigezi (930 000) regions. Both are predominantly black coloured, the Mubende being characterized by a short and fine coathair, the Kigezi being longhaired. All sheep breeds are fat-tailed. The Masai (216 000) is found in the Eastern and Northern part of the country, the Black-head (490 000) in the East and the so-called East Mrican long-tail (257 000) all over the country. The author indicates that there is an indigenous pig type (670 000) and some 1 200 000“village”chickens.

HUNGARIAN ACTIVITIES ON THE CONSERVATION OF DOMESTIC ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES

SUMMARYIn Hungary there is an official programme for maintaining domestic animal genetic resources which is supported financially by the government. The following breeds are involved: Hungarian Grey cattle; Water buffalo; Racka, Ciggja and Cikta sheep; Mangalica pig; Nonius, Mezohegyes Halfbred, Gidran, Kisbér Halfbred, Shagya Arab and Lipizza horses and some poultry and dog breeds.