Meat yield characteristics of different upgraded dwarf chicken under intensive management condition

The study was conducted with attempts to determine the effects of autosomal dwarf (adw) gene introgression from Indigenous dwarf chicken (IDC) to White Leghorn (WLH) and Fayoumi (Fay) on growth and meat yield characteristics. Experiment was carried out at the Poultry Farm of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh for a period of 28 months from March 2013 to June 2015 under intensive management condition. In this study, the di-allele crossing between WLH, Fay and IDC produced 4 up-graded chickens viz. IDC♂ × WLH♀, WLH♂ × IDC♀, IDC♂ × Fay♀ and Fay♂ × IDC♀. The up-graded F1 generations were mated intersex to access their productivity. The up-graded F1 generations were mated intersex to access their productivity. Pre-slaughter live weight of birds significantly (P<0.001) varied by genotype, sex and genotype × sex interaction. Percentage of thigh meat, drumstick meat, dark and total meat weights was significantly influenced by genotype. Although meat yield parameters of male birds in relation to live weight were found higher than their female birds, some parameters like breast meat, liver, giblet and total meat yield were found higher in female birds than that of male birds of all genotypes. However, meat yield parameters like percentage of thigh, drumstick and total meat yield were the highest in IDC♂ × Fay♀ and Fay♂ × IDC♀ and the lowest in IDC♂ × WLH♀. From the above findings, Fayoumi mediated dwarf genotypes showed better meat yield characteristics than Leghorn mediated dwarf genotypes.

Cryptic diversity and gene introgression of Moinidae (Crustacea: Cladocera) in Nigeria

The distribution and species/lineage diversity of freshwater invertebrate zooplankton is understudied in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the present study, we explored the lineage diversity and regional distribution of Moinidae (Crustacea: Cladocera) species in Southeast Nigeria. Three species of Moinidae were identified, based on morphology, in 11 of 32 Nigerian lakes examined. Their phylogenetic relationships were investigated based on mitochondrial dna sequences (cytochrome oxidase c subunit I gene; coi) and two nuclear internal transcribed spacer regions (its-1 and its-2). Three coi lineages were detected, corresponding to the morphological species. Two of the coi lineages are newly reported, but one coi lineage (and the haplotype found) is globally distributed, suggesting an ability of moinids to disperse over long distances. Interestingly, two individuals that were morphologically M. cf. macrocopa and had its alleles typical of that species had mtDNA sequences typical of M. cf. micrura. Additionally, one individual that corresponded morphologically to M. cf. macrocopa (and also had a mitochondrial sequence typical of M. cf. micrura) had one its-2 allele typical of that species and one typical of M. cf. micrura. This discordance between mtDNA and nuclear phylogenies suggests gene introgression and/or hybridization between different species within the genus. Our data shows the lineage distribution/diversity and the presence of gene introgression/interspecific hybridization among moinid species from a tropical region.

Copy Number Variants in Four Italian Turkey Breeds

Heritage breeds can be considered a genetic reservoir of genetic variability to be conserved and valorized considering their historical, cultural, and adaptive characteristics and possibly for their high potential in commercial hybrid genetic improvement by gene introgression. The aim of the present research is to investigate via Copy Number Variant (CNVs) the genomic makeup of 4 Italian autochthonous turkey breeds (Bronzato Comune—BrCI, 24; Ermellinato di Rovigo—ErRo, 24; Parma e Piacenza—PrPc, 25; Romagnolo—RoMa, 29). CNVs detection was performed using two different software and an interbreed CNVs comparison was carried out. A total of 1077 CNVs were identified in 102 turkeys, summarized into 519 CNV regions (CNVRs), which resulted after merging in 101 and 18 breed and shared regions. Biodiversity was analyzed using the effective information supplied by CNVs analysis, and BrCI and ErRo were characterized by a low mapped CNV number. Differences were described at a genomic level related to physiological, reproductive, and behavioral traits. The comparison with other three Italian turkey breeds (Brianzolo, Colle Euganei, and Nero Italiano) using a CNV data set available in the literature showed high clustering properties at the genomic level, and their relationships are strictly linked to the geographical origin and to the history of the rural structure of their native regions.