Estimation of maternal and additive effect on reproduction and productive traits in Hardhenu cattle.

The study aimed to assess performance traits in Hardhenu cattle by analysing data from 445 animals born to 59 sires and 227 dams. The investigation focused on estimating (co)variance components and genetic parameters for reproduction and production traits in dairy cattle. Results from least-squares analysis indicated a significant effect (p < .01) of the period of calving (POC) on key production traits, including first lactation milk yield (FLMY), 300-day milk yield (FLMY300), first peak yield (FPY) and total lactation milk yield (TLMY) in studied population. The least squares means for these traits were reported as follows: FLMY (2665.68 ± 45.66 kg), FLMY300 (2425.52 ± 34.41 kg), FLL (312.95 ± 3.83 days), FPY (11.52 ± 0.15 kg) and TLMY (9282.44 ± 167.03 kg) in Hardhenu cattle. In the studied population, only additive genetic variability was found to be present and there was absence of any significant maternal effect with respect to targeted traits in the resource population. Direct heritability estimates (h2) for FLMY, FLMY300, FLL, FPY, TLMY and other traits ranged from 0.03 to 0.41 in Hardhenu cattle. These findings offer valuable insights into the genetic factors influencing performance traits, contributing to the enhancement of breeding and management practices in Hardhenu cattle.

Influence of maternal and additive genetic effects on lamb survival in Harnali sheep.

Lamb survival is a critical aspect in the sheep industry as it increases the chances of economic gain in the flock. The objective of the current study was to assess the incidence of lamb mortality in Harnali sheep and to estimate maternal and additive genetic effects of lamb survival using the data of 2057 lambs born to 134 sires and 623 dams for the period of 20 years (2001-2020). The genetic evaluation was carried out using threshold animal models comprising direct and maternal effects using THRGIBBS1F90 and POSTGIBBSF90 programs. Cumulative mortality (95% CI (confidence interval)) for the S1 (lambs which died up to weaning age), S2 (lambs which died from birth to 6 months of age) and S3 (lambs which died from birth to 12 months of birth) groups was 8.41 (7.21-9.61), 14.10 (12.59-15.60) and 17.70 (16.05-19.34) %, respectively. The logistic regression analysis revealed significant (p < 0.05) influences of non-genetic factors and indicated that the female lambs, heavier dam and higher birth weight of lamb were associated with better survival as compared to their counterparts. The estimates of direct additive heritability for S1, S2 and S3 were 0.04 ± 0.01, 0.07 ± 0.03 and 0.11 ± 0.04, respectively. In addition to this, significant influences of the maternal permanent environmental effects were observed for lamb survival up to weaning as well as six months of age. Thus, the present findings suggest that lamb survival could be improved through better management practices but consideration of maternal permanent environmental effects is important for initial survival of the lamb.

Effect of alternative natural diet on microplastic ingestion, functional responses and trophic transfer in a tri-trophic coastal pelagic food web.

The patchy distribution of microplastics (MP) and their size range similar to planktonic organisms, are likely to have major ecological consequences, through MP ingestion, food dilution, and transfer across trophic levels. Our study applied a community module using tritrophic food chain with zooplankton as prey, and a planktivorous seabass fry as predator. We conducted a series of feeding experiments and recorded the direct uptake of MP under six different concentrations ranging from 25 to 800 particles L-1. We also estimated the indirect transfer of MP via trophic link. The ingestion rates for Brachionus plicatilis, Mesocyclops isabellae, and Lates calcarifer, were 3.7 ± 0.3 MP ind-1 min-1, 1.69 ± 0.1 MP ind-1 min-1, and 3.51 ± 0.52 MP ind-1 h-1, respectively. In the presence of a natural diet, rotifers and copepods ingested significantly lower number, whereas, fish fry ingested a higher number of MP, suggesting further vulnerability to the consumers of MP-contaminated fish and potential biomagnification at higher trophic levels. Overall, the MP uptake rate increased with increasing concentration, and finally leveled off, indicating a type II functional response to MP concentration. The presence of natural diet led to a lower Km value. In the indirect transfer experiment, 74 % of B. plicatilis and 78 % of M. isabellae individuals were contaminated with MP, when offered as prey. Brachionid mastax and MP particles were observed in the gut of copepods. The fish fry gut content also recorded brachionid mastax, MP-contaminated copepods, and MP particles, showing direct evidence of trophic transfer pointing to a cascading effect on higher trophic levels including humans via piscivory.

Occurrence of plastics and their characterization in wild caught fish species (Labeo rohita, Wallago attu and Mystus tengara) of River Ganga (India) compared to a commercially cultured species (L. rohita).

Ganga River in India is one of the top 10 polluted rivers in the world, yet there is no information on the occurrence of plastics in its wild caught fishes compared to commercially farmed fish species. In the present study, wild fish specimens belonging to nine species were caught along the River Ganga from two locations in Patna (Bihar). Organs (gastrointestinal tract, liver, gills and muscles) of fishes were analyzed for the presence of plastics. Plastics were identified using a stereomicroscope, and polymer types were characterized through FTIR analysis. Out of the nine wild fish species, only three (Labeo rohita, Wallago attu and Mystus tengara) showed presence of plastics in them. In contrast, organs of only one commercial fish species (L. rohita) were analyzed as this was the only fish species commercially farmed and available in local fish market of Gaya (Bihar, India). Specimens of this farmed fish species were procured from selected outlets having their supply from Fish Farm of the Department of Fisheries, Government of Bihar. The average number of plastic particles per fish in wild caught and commercial fishes was found to be 2.5 ± 1.6 and 5.2 ± 2.5, respectively. Further, wild-caught fishes indicated highest presence of microplastics (78.5%), followed by mesoplastics (16.5%) and macroplastics (5.1%). In commercial fishes, presence of microplastics was much higher (99.6%). Fragments (83.5%) represented the prominent microplastic type found in wild-caught fishes while fibers (95.1%) were the major type in commercial fishes. Colored plastic particles (white and blue) were abundant. The column feeder fishes were more plastic contaminated than the bottom feeder fishes. The predominant microplastic polymer type in the Gangetic and farmed fish(es) was polyethylene and poly(ethylene-co-propylene), respectively. This study, for the first time ever, reports plastic pollution in wild fishes of River Ganga (India) compared to farmed species.