The state of African cattle genetic resources I. Classification framework and identification of threatened and extinct breeds

1999 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 1-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.E.O. Rege

SummaryA field and literature survey was conducted to determine the status of cattle genetic resources of sub-Saharan Africa and to identify cattle breeds at risk and those which may have become extinct over the last century. This paper - in two parts - summarises preliminary results of the survey. The survey revealed that sub-Saharan Africa is home to a total of 145 cattle breeds/strains comprising two taurine Longhorns, 15 taurine Shorthorns, 75 zebu (Bos indicus), 30 sanga, eight zenga (zebu-sanga), nine breeds derived from interbreeding of indigenous breeds/strains located in close proximity to each other, and six systematically created composite breeds. Out of the 145 breeds identified from the survey, 47 (about 32%) were considered to be at risk of extinction. Risk categories used were: Critical (most severe), Endangered, Vulnerable, and Rare (least severe). Of the breeds identified to be at risk of extinction, six were in the “Rare”category, 10 were “Vulnerable” another 10 were “Endangered”and 15 were in the “Critical”category. A total of 22 breeds (about 13%) previously recognised in the continent have become extinct in the last century. This number excludes some populations which have lost their individual identity due to admixtures involving two or more originally distinct breeds.

1999 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 1-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.E.O. Rege ◽  
C.L. Tawah

SummaryThis paper summarises preliminary results of a survey conducted as part of a large effort to systematically collate information aimed at assessing the status of cattle genetic resources of sub-Saharan Africa. The 146 indigenous breeds/strains identified from the survey are classified into nine broad groups (Humpless Longhorns, Humpless Shorthorns, Large East African Zebu, Small East African Zebu, West African Zebu, Sanga, Zenga, Recently Derived Breeds and Commercial Composites) some of which are further subdivided into several groups (based on possible genetic relationships) and clusters (based on eco-geographical locations). Each breed is then described in terms of location, physical characteristics, adaptive attributes, if known, current main uses and status in terms of qualitative or quantitative indication of trends, where available, and presence or absence of programmes for its management or further development.


1993 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 25-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Matassino ◽  
A. Cappuccio ◽  
T. Grasso ◽  
Marisa Palazzo

SUMMARYAfter a rapid review of the sociocultural aspects justifying that rare breeds be protected, of the aim of a conservation programme. and of the possible strategies, this paper describes in details the activities implemented at the National Centre for the preservation of germplasm of animals at risk of extinction, at Circello, in the south of Italy. In this centre, established on 310 ha, are presently raised 281 animals of more than 30 different breeds, among which 11 cattle breeds, 7 sheep breeds and 10 goat breeds. Activities of the centre include preservation, description, multiplication, improvement and use of the breeds at risk. Collaboration with other insttitutions within the Mediterranean region are listed.


2021 ◽  
pp. bmjsrh-2020-200944
Author(s):  
Celia Karp ◽  
Shannon N Wood ◽  
Georges Guiella ◽  
Peter Gichangi ◽  
Suzanne O Bell ◽  
...  

IntroductionEvidence from health emergencies suggests COVID-19 will disrupt women’s sexual and reproductive health (SRH). In sub-Saharan Africa, which experiences the highest rates of unintended pregnancy and unsafe abortion globally, COVID-19 is projected to slow recent progress toward universal access to contraceptive services.MethodsWe used longitudinal data collected from women at risk of unintended pregnancy in Burkina Faso (n=1186) and Kenya (n=2784) before (November 2019–February 2020) and during (May–July 2020) COVID-19 to quantify contraceptive dynamics during COVID-19; examine sociodemographic factors and COVID-19 experiences related to contraceptive dynamics; and assess COVID-19-related reasons for contraceptive non-use. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to examine correlates of contraceptive dynamics amid COVID-19.ResultsMost women did not change their contraceptive status during COVID-19 (68.6% in Burkina Faso and 81.6% in Kenya) and those who did were more likely to adopt a method (25.4% and 13.1%, respectively) than to discontinue (6.0% and 5.3%, respectively). Most women who switched contraceptives were using methods as or more effective than their pre-pandemic contraception. Economic instability related to COVID-19 was associated with increased contraceptive protection in Burkina Faso but not in Kenya. Altogether, 14.4% of non-contraceptive users in Kenya and 3.8% in Burkina Faso identified COVID-19-related reasons for non-use.ConclusionsThe vast majority of women at risk of unintended pregnancy did not change their contraceptive status during COVID-19, and more women adopted than discontinued methods. A minority of women reported COVID-19-related reasons for non-use, underscoring the importance of expanding safe modes of service delivery during health crises.


2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (7) ◽  
pp. 541 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Silcock ◽  
R. J. Fensham

Threatened species lists are used at global, national and regional scales to identify species at risk of extinction. Many species are listed due to restricted population size or geographic distribution, and decline is often inferred rather than quantified. Vascular plants comprise over 70% of nationally listed threatened species, but there is an incomplete picture of which species are most at risk of extinction, where these occur and the factors behind their declines. We compiled published information and the best available field knowledge including 125 expert interviews to identify declining and at risk species. The candidate list comprised 1135 taxa, which were mostly listed as Critically Endangered or Endangered under Federal and/or State legislation, but included 80 that are currently unlisted but considered to be highly threatened. In total, 418 taxa were assessed as having a documented, suspected or projected continuing decline. These were ranked based on extinction risk and magnitude of continuing decline, which suggest that 296 are at risk of extinction under current management regimes, including 55 at high risk of extinction. Declining and imperilled taxa are concentrated in a relatively small number of regions and habitats, and six threatening processes are driving the majority of declines. Field surveys and robust, repeatable monitoring are required to better inform population trends and extinction risk, as well as inform the status of almost 200 taxa that are potentially imperilled but poorly known. Identification of declining taxa can identify key issues for flora conservation across a continent, and allow for targeted and efficient recovery efforts.


BMC Genomics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Z. Gebrehiwot ◽  
E. M. Strucken ◽  
H. Aliloo ◽  
K. Marshall ◽  
J. P. Gibson

Abstract Background Humpless Bos taurus cattle are one of the earliest domestic cattle in Africa, followed by the arrival of humped Bos indicus cattle. The diverse indigenous cattle breeds of Africa are derived from these migrations, with most appearing to be hybrids between Bos taurus and Bos indicus. The present study examines the patterns of admixture, diversity, and relationships among African cattle breeds. Methods Data for ~ 40 k SNPs was obtained from previous projects for 4089 animals representing 35 African indigenous, 6 European Bos taurus, 4 Bos indicus, and 5 African crossbred cattle populations. Genetic diversity and population structure were assessed using principal component analyses (PCA), admixture analyses, and Wright’s F statistic. The linkage disequilibrium and effective population size (Ne) were estimated for the pure cattle populations. Results The first two principal components differentiated Bos indicus from European Bos taurus, and African Bos taurus from other breeds. PCA and admixture analyses showed that, except for recently admixed cattle, all indigenous breeds are either pure African Bos taurus or admixtures of African Bos taurus and Bos indicus. The African zebu breeds had highest proportions of Bos indicus ancestry ranging from 70 to 90% or 60 to 75%, depending on the admixture model. Other indigenous breeds that were not 100% African Bos taurus, ranged from 42 to 70% or 23 to 61% Bos indicus ancestry. The African Bos taurus populations showed substantial genetic diversity, and other indigenous breeds show evidence of having more than one African taurine ancestor. Ne estimates based on r2 and r2adj showed a decline in Ne from a large population at 2000 generations ago, which is surprising for the indigenous breeds given the expected increase in cattle populations over that period and the lack of structured breeding programs. Conclusion African indigenous cattle breeds have a large genetic diversity and are either pure African Bos taurus or admixtures of African Bos taurus and Bos indicus. This provides a rich resource of potentially valuable genetic variation, particularly for adaptation traits, and to support conservation programs. It also provides challenges for the development of genomic assays and tools for use in African populations.


1989 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona Marshall

2019 ◽  
Vol 147 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. D. Cappella ◽  
A. C. Piscaglia ◽  
A. Cadioli ◽  
S. Manoni ◽  
R. Silva ◽  
...  

AbstractStrongyloides stercoralis is a neglected parasite that can cause death in immunocompromised individuals. There were no data on the epidemiology of S. stercoralis infection in San Marino Republic until two patients (one of whom died) were diagnosed with severe strongyloidiasis (hyperinfection) between September 2016 and March 2017. A serology test for Strongyloides spp. was introduced in routine practice in the laboratory of the State Hospital to test patients considered to be at risk for strongyloidiasis. Between August 2017 and August 2018, of 42 patients tested with serology, two (4.8%) were positive. An additional case was found by gastric biopsy. Two of the positive cases were presumably autochthonous infections (elderly people with no significant travel history), while the other was a probable imported case (young man born in Nigeria and settled in Europe since 2003). Epidemiology of strongyloidiasis in San Marino might be similar to Northern Italy, where a relevant proportion of cases was diagnosed in immigrants (mainly from sub-Saharan Africa) and in elderly Italians with eosinophilia. Screening for strongyloidiasis might be worthwhile in inhabitants of San Marino in the same categories of individuals, particularly those at risk of immune suppression.


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