Animal Species Research Articles

Male attractiveness is subjective to exposure to males of different attractiveness in fruit flies

Mate choice is a crucial decision in any animal. In terms of fitness, the best mate is the one that leads to the most abundant and productive offspring. Pairing with a low-quality mate would reduce fitness, generating selection for accurate and subtle mate choice in all animal species. Hence, mate choice is expected to be highly context dependent, and should depend on other potential options. For instance, a medium-quality male can constitute the best option when all other males are in poorer condition, but not when there are better-quality males available. Therefore, animals are predicted to gather information about their social context and adapt their mate choice to it. Here, we report on experiments in which we manipulated the social environment of females of Drosophila melanogaster and found that after encountering a high or a low-quality male, they take more or less time to accept copulation with another male, suggesting that females adapt their mating strategy to their social context. We also report on a similar effect in D. biarmiceps. Thus, male attractiveness appears to depend on the quality of recently met males, suggesting that male attractiveness is subjective, indicating plastic and context dependent mate choice.

Genomic characterisation of generic Escherichia coli from food-producing animals and products of animal origin in South Africa

Escherichia coli is found in diverse environmental niches, including meat and meat products, and is known for its significance in both food safety and public health. In South Africa, whole genomic sequencing (WGS) efforts for E. coli are overwhelmingly skewed toward human isolates with limited studies conducted on non-human isolates. Therefore, the aim of this study was to use WGS to characterise generic strains of E. coli isolated from animal specimens, meat, and meat-based products in South Africa. Based on WGS analysis, a total of 35 E. coli strains were grouped into five phylogroups (A, B1, B2, C, and E), with A (46%) being the most predominant. Virulence-associated genes identified the isolates as either extra-intestinal pathogenic E. coli (69%) or intestinal pathogenic E. coli (31%) pathotypes. Twenty-three different serotypes were identified, with O101:H37 (17%), O2:H4 (17%), O6:H5 (13%), and O64:H19 (9%) being the predominant ones. Among the 19 different sequence types (STs), ST1858, ST975, and ST10 were the most prevalent (11% each). Various virulence genes, antimicrobial resistance genes, and genetic mobile elements carrying Tn2, IS26, and Tn6196 elements were detected, with the disinfectant resistance sitABCD being the most predominant. The type 1 CRISPR system which functions by storing records of previous invasions to provide immunological memory for a rapid and robust response upon subsequent viral infections was detected in all isolates, consisting of subtypes I-E (86%), I-A (57%), and I-F (11%). The findings of this study provide an insight into the genetic diversity of generic E. coli isolates from animal species, meat, and meat-based products in South Africa.

Studies on the Disposition of Technetium-99m Labeled Foot-and-mouth Disease Vaccine in Guinea Pigs

Background: Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a widespread and contagious disease affecting various animal species. The effectiveness of control tools is impeded by the high costs associated with animal experimentation, an incomplete understanding of host immune systems and a scarcity of immunological reagents. 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals, known for their versatile chemistry, play a crucial role in preclinical research and drug development. The objective of the present study was to develop nuclear medicine-enabled strategies for custom designing and uplifting engineered vaccines, specifically nanoparticle vaccines, in guinea pigs. Methods: In the present study, we elucidate the technique used for direct radiolabelling of the FMD vaccine and its subsequent distribution within guinea pigs. The study involved the evaluation of 99mTc-radiolabeling and quality control, as well as the disposition of the 99mTc-FMD vaccine in guinea pigs. Result: Radiolabelling and stability studies showed 95.00% efficiency and 92.93% stability. The study demonstrated that the 99mTc-FMD vaccine showed increased uptake and delayed clearance from lymphoid organs, particularly the spleen and prescapular lymph node, compared to plain 99mTc.

Providing Stimulus to Animals Results in Response in the form of Animal Behavior Patterns to the Environment: A Literature Review

Behavior is an organism's response to internal and external stimuli. By definition, behavior is an action performed by a living being in reaction to a stimulus. A consistent pattern of response to specific stimuli is categorized as behavior. An animal's ability to survive is reflected in these behavioral patterns. Each animal species has a unique way of acting, corresponding to their anatomical structure. Therefore, it is crucial to study animal behavior patterns in depth, given their critical role in maintaining ecosystem sustainability and balance. This research aims to investigate how the provision of stimuli to animals generates responses in the form of behavioral patterns towards their environment. By writing this research, it is hoped that the general public can understand more about animal behavior patterns. This research method is a literature review or literature review through several research articles, this review is done by searching from a database in the form of Google Scholar and obtaining 5 research articles.

A sero-epidemiological analysis of Coxiella burnetii infection and its risk factors in livestock from Addis Ababa, Adama, and Modjo abattoirs and pastoral areas of Oromia, Ethiopia.

Coxiella burnetii is causing infections in both humans and animals, resulting in Q fever and Coxiellosis, respectively. Information on the occurrence of C. burnetii infection is scarce in Ethiopia. This study estimated the sero-prevalence of C. burnetii infection and associated risk factors in four common livestock species from Addis Ababa, Adama, and Modjo abattoirs and pastoral areas of Oromia, Ethiopia. Sera samples were analyzed for the presence of anti-C. burnetii antibodies using an indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay kit. Out of the 4140 serum samples tested, 777 (18.77%; 95% CI: 17.59, 19.99) were found positive for C. burnetii. The sero-prevalence estimate was 27.17% at Addis Ababa abattoir, 19.41% at Adama abattoir, 19.13% at Modjo abattoir and 12.1% in animals tested from pastoral areas. Sera analysis at the animal species level showed that cattle exhibited the lowest sero-prevalence estimate (11.83%; 95% CI, 10.27-13.53%), while the highest was observed in camels (28.39%; 95% CI, 25.16-31.80%). The sero-prevalence estimate was 21.34% (95% CI, 18.86-23.99%) in goats and 20.17% (95% CI, 17.49-23.07%) in sheep. The results of multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that species, age, sex of animals and tick infestation were important risk factors for C. burnetii infection. The odds of infection were 3.22 times higher in camels and almost twice as high in goats and sheep compared to cattle. Adult animals were infected more likely (OR = 3.23) than young ones. Interestingly, a significant difference was observed in the sero-prevalence of infection between animals that were infested with ticks (OR = 16.32) and those which were tick-free. This study provides valuable insights into the sero-epidemiology of C. burnetii infection in four common livestock species at major abattoirs and pastoral areas of Ethiopia. The findings highlight the need for further studies and implementing surveillance and biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of the disease in both humans and livestock to safeguard the economical and public health aspects.

Longitudinal gut microbiome dynamics in relation to age and senescence in a wild animal population.

In humans, gut microbiome (GM) differences are often correlated with, and sometimes causally implicated in, ageing. However, it is unclear how these findings translate in wild animal populations. Studies that investigate how GM dynamics change within individuals, and with declines in physiological condition, are needed to fully understand links between chronological age, senescence and the GM, but have rarely been done. Here, we use longitudinal data collected from a closed population of Seychelles warblers (Acrocephalus sechellensis) to investigate how bacterial GM alpha diversity, composition and stability are associated with host senescence. We hypothesised that GM diversity and composition will differ, and become more variable, in older adults, particularly in the terminal year prior to death, as the GM becomes increasingly dysregulated due to senescence. However, GM alpha diversity and composition remained largely invariable with respect to adult age and did not differ in an individual's terminal year. Furthermore, there was no evidence that the GM became more heterogenous in senescent age groups (individuals older than 6 years), or in the terminal year. Instead, environmental variables such as season, territory quality and time of day, were the strongest predictors of GM variation in adult Seychelles warblers. These results contrast with studies on humans, captive animal populations and some (but not all) studies on non-human primates, suggesting that GM deterioration may not be a universal hallmark of senescence in wild animal species. Further work is needed to disentangle the factors driving variation in GM-senescence relationships across different host taxa.

Epizoochorous seed dispersal by two Phasianidae birds: Green pheasant (Phasianus versicolor) and Chinese bamboo partridge (Bambusicola thoracicus)

AbstractWhile diverse animal species have been implicated in epizoochorous seed dispersal, studies specifically focused on bird‐mediated seed dispersal are scarce. We evaluated the potential contribution of two terrestrial birds, green pheasant (Phasianus versicolor) and Chinese bamboo partridge (Bambusicola thoracicus), to epizoochorous seed dispersal using a dummy‐based method. Furthermore, we compared the number of seeds attached to birds and mammals using data from a previous study conducted using the same method, site, and season. The results revealed 435 seeds of four herbaceous species (Achyranthes bidentata, Hylodesmum podocarpum, Oplismenus undulatifolius, and Persicaria filiformis) attached to two bird dummies. All seeds found on birds possessed adhesive appendages such as hooks, bristles, or viscous substances. In addition, the number of attached seeds does not exhibit significant differences between birds and mammals, irrespective of the season or plant species. Our findings provide the first documented evidence of epizoochorous seed dispersal by Phasianidae birds, highlighting the potential redundancy and complementarity between birds and mammals in mediating epizoochory.

Berry Fruits and Their Improving Potential on Skeletal Muscle Health and Performance: A Systematic Review of the Evidence in Animal and in Human Studies

The well-established anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of red fruits leave room for a biological pathway of improved muscle health promoted by berries in the diet. Our objective was to systematically review the number of trials conducted on human and animal species around the relationship between a berry diet and muscle health outcomes. Two independent examiners conducted a search for studies that utilized keywords associated with muscle health outcomes and a berry-based diet in both human and animal trials, in accordance with the PRISMA statement guidelines. The literature was searched through six electronic databases until December 2023. Screening of 152 retrieved articles resulted in a final selection of 16 reports investigating the effect of exposure to a berry-based diet and skeletal muscle health outcomes. The study protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023479682). Among the selected studies, nine involved humans and seven animal models (rats and mice). Overall, most of the studies reported positive effects on performance or muscle health. Specifically, five studies investigated the possible effects of blackcurrant on active human subjects or athletes; three studies focused on blueberry and presented results on running performance (human sample) and muscle health (rat models). The rest of the studies involved raspberries (two studies, rat models), aronia (one study, rat models), elderberry (one study, rat models), and a mixed compound (one study, rat models). In conclusion, there is some early evidence that a berry-rich diet may increase performance or muscle health, but more research is needed to fully understand the underlying biological trajectories, and thus, no firm conclusions can yet be drawn.

Incidence of Photosensitization in Husbandry Animals: A Meta-Study on the Effects of Feed Diversity and Feed Choice

As this is a meta-study, we examined whether plant species diversity in the feed and the possibility of feed choice would influence the number of cases of photosensitization in farm animals. We evaluated 110 scientific references which described 172 cases of photosensitization worldwide, mainly in husbandry animals between 1926 and 2022. More than 50% of the cases occurred in South America and Australia. Among the animal species, sheep and cattle were statistically overrepresented. A total of 35 organisms were revealed to be phototoxic: 24 herbs, 2 grasses, 7 woody species, and 2 kinds of fungi. Animals developed mainly secondary photosensitization due to fresh feed (71.8%) of normal quality (88.1%), indicating that the phototoxic agents are from liver-toxic plants such as the grass Brachiaria and the herb Froelichia. Horses fell ill chiefly with primary photosensitization due to directly acting phototoxic agents of plant species such as the herbs Medicago and Pastinaca, both in fresh and conserved feed. Goats manage to avoid phototoxic plants under both high and low feed diversity if they still have free choice between plant species. High feed diversity reduced the incidence 2.4-fold, while enabled selection possibility even reduced it 7.5-fold. Since the lack of choice between forage plants was revealed to be the main cause of photosensitization, this knowledge could be used to prevent the disease in livestock.

Wondering Animals: Reflections on Human Exceptionality

Both historically and in common human practices, attitudes, and beliefs, a sense of human exceptionality in comparison with other animals undergirds normative anthropocentrism, i.e. prioritization of human interests. The question I wish to address in this article is whether we can use a particular element of the cognitive apparatus or toolkit that supposedly makes us special, namely our s e n s e of wonder, to decenter us. Several authors have argued that when we view other beings or the natural world with wonder, we are inclined to care for and wish to protect them. But here I am interested in what happens when we turn our sense of wonder onto ourselves as the peculiar animal, the strange evolutionary experiment that we are. Not, as has historically been done, in an admiring way, but in an evaluatively more neutral way, characterized by puzzlement, an attunement to mystery, and a sense of unlikeliness and contingency. In particular, how might our thinking about ourselves change when we think from a wonder that revolves around our embodiment, around that which roots us most firmly in the world, in “nature,” and reminds us most clearly of our membership of a community of earthly life? Wondering at and about ourselves as an animal species may remind us of our material embeddedness in the world, but what could its ethical import be? More specifically, the paper explores whether there is an escape from the ethical quandaries of human exceptionality, which relate to the impossibility of doing with or without that exceptionality. I argue that there is not, but that in wonder we can hold together incompatible possibilities.

Regulatory mechanism of cold-inducible diapause in Caenorhabditis elegans

Temperature is a critical environmental cue that controls the development and lifespan of many animal species; however, mechanisms underlying low-temperature adaptation are poorly understood. Here, we describe cold-inducible diapause (CID), another type of diapause induced by low temperatures in Caenorhabditis elegans. A premature stop codon in heat shock factor 1 (hsf-1) triggers entry into CID at 9 °C, whereas wild-type animals enter CID at 4 °C. Furthermore, both wild-type and hsf-1(sy441) mutant animals undergoing CID can survive for weeks, and resume growth at 20 °C. Using epistasis analysis, we demonstrate that neural signalling pathways, namely tyraminergic and neuromedin U signalling, regulate entry into CID of the hsf-1 mutant. Overexpression of anti-ageing genes, such as hsf-1, XBP1/xbp-1, FOXO/daf-16, Nrf2/skn-1, and TFEB/hlh-30, also inhibits CID entry of the hsf-1 mutant. Based on these findings, we hypothesise that regulators of the hsf-1 mutant CID may impact longevity, and successfully isolate 16 long-lived mutants among 49 non-CID mutants via genetic screening. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the nonsense mutation of MED23/sur-2 prevents CID entry of the hsf-1(sy441) mutant and extends lifespan. Thus, CID is a powerful model to investigate neural networks involving cold acclimation and to explore new ageing mechanisms.

Alpha and beta‐diversity and community structure of dung beetle assemblages in an East African protected savannah

AbstractFew studies have examined how dung beetle species composition changes across several mammalian dung types. Species composition and abundance of dung beetles were studied in dung samples of seven African mammals along animal trails and using 14 baited‐pitfall traps in both the park and the buffer zone resulting in a combined data set of 113 samples. Both the number of species (18) and the number of individual dung beetles (600) encountered were low for an area close to the Equator. Few species (2) and herbivores (13) tunnellers (9) dominated the dung beetles community, feeding and guild structure respectively. Alpha diversity was moderate 2.06 (1 < H′ ≤ 3). Beta diversity ranged from low 0.8 (high similarity) to high (zero, no similarity). Dung beetle species composition varied with dung type with the degree of pairwise similarity between two dung types in 19 of the total (21) dung beetle communities comparisons showing low similarity (0.4) to no similarity (zero). The observed discrepancies may be attributed to dung size, composition and consistency as well as to the low number of dung of the different animal species sampled. Furthermore, further research is needed as rarefaction curves suggest that sampling was incomplete.

Sero-prevalence of Hepatitis E Virus in Some Domesticated Animals in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Aim: This study is aimed to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis E virus (HEV) total antibody in some domesticated animals in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Study Design: The study was a cross-sectional study conducted at Ekiti State, Nigeria. Place and Duration of the Study: The study was conducted at Ekiti State, Nigeria between October 2023 and January 2024. Sample testing and analysis of serological test were performed at Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. Methodology: 186 blood samples from four animal species were randomly collected. The serum samples were obtained from the following animals in the study area using the technique of venipuncture: dogs (n=56), pigs (n=29), sheep (n=59) and goat (n=42). Blood samples were collected and separated serum for testing of HEV total antibody using Human (HEV-Ab) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The overall seroprevalence of HEV total antibodies was 41.94%, among the four animal species sampled, Pigs had the highest seroprevalence (72.4%). Out of the five Local Government areas, Ido-Osi had the highest HEV seroprevalence (53.57%). The age group ranging from ˃12-≤18 months had higher HEV prevalence (29.41%) among the age group. All age groups of the domestic animals had statistically significant differences at (P ˂ 0.05). Among all the pregnant domestic animals, goats had a considerably higher seroprevalence of HEV total antibody (73.33%) than other pregnant animals in the study area. The HEV prevalence among the pregnant domestic animals was statistically significant (P˂ 0.05). Conclusion: Data suggest that HEV remains an under-recognized and significant public health problem, wanting further attention and research.

Sero-prevalence of Hepatitis E Virus in Some Domesticated Animals in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Aim: This study is aimed to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis E virus (HEV) total antibody in some domesticated animals in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Study Design: The study was a cross-sectional study conducted at Ekiti State, Nigeria. Place and Duration of the Study: The study was conducted at Ekiti State, Nigeria between October 2023 and January 2024. Sample testing and analysis of serological test were performed at Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. Methodology: 186 blood samples from four animal species were randomly collected. The serum samples were obtained from the following animals in the study area using the technique of venipuncture: dogs (n=56), pigs (n=29), sheep (n=59) and goat (n=42). Blood samples were collected and separated serum for testing of HEV total antibody using Human (HEV-Ab) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The overall seroprevalence of HEV total antibodies was 41.94%, among the four animal species sampled, Pigs had the highest seroprevalence (72.4%). Out of the five Local Government areas, Ido-Osi had the highest HEV seroprevalence (53.57%). The age group ranging from ˃12-≤18 months had higher HEV prevalence (29.41%) among the age group. All age groups of the domestic animals had statistically significant differences at (P ˂ 0.05). Among all the pregnant domestic animals, goats had a considerably higher seroprevalence of HEV total antibody (73.33%) than other pregnant animals in the study area. The HEV prevalence among the pregnant domestic animals was statistically significant (P˂ 0.05). Conclusion: Data suggest that HEV remains an under-recognized and significant public health problem, wanting further attention and research.

Mitigating the deceptive effects of smooth surfaces: subtle surface modifications can eliminate maladaptive drinking attempts by bats

AbstractThe amount of artificial smooth surfaces in the environment increases continuously with urbanization on a global scale. There is growing evidence that smooth surfaces such as windows, solar panels and other objects can serve as sensory traps for many animal species. Artificial smooth surfaces can function as acoustic mirrors, disrupting echolocation of bats and consequently causing maladaptive behaviours such as drinking from and colliding with these surfaces. Therefore, investigating opportunities to mitigate the effects of artificial smooth surfaces is important from a conservation viewpoint. Here, we conducted a field experiment with bats, an ensonification experiment in the laboratory, and a computer simulation, in order to study the effect of mechanical surface modification on the acoustic characteristics of smooth surfaces. In the field experiment, we presented a horizontal smooth plate alone or with strings (diameters between 0.25–2.5 mm) and the behaviour of bats around the plate was video recorded. Bats significantly decreased the frequency of drinking events with increasing diameter of the strings. We also found an indication that a crossed pattern of the strings on the plate may be more effective than a parallel arrangement. The results of the ensonification experiment and the mathematical modelling revealed that a subtle modification of the smooth surfaces with long, linear thin objects can effectively modify the acoustic characteristics of smooth surfaces in general and thereby potentially change the behaviour of bats. Further investigations from sensory, behavioural and ecological viewpoints are proposed to better understand the impact of smooth surfaces on bats and the mitigation solutions that are needed. This research underscores the significance of exploring innovative approaches to minimize the negative impacts of urbanization on wildlife, highlighting the potential of practical interventions to promote coexistence between anthropogenic environments and threatened species.

Political Economic Role in Natural Quality Management and its Impact on Plant Ecology: Why Arar-Juniper Plants Disappeared

Wadi-Arar is a unique region that has lost some of its most important natural features within 200 years, including plants, geographical lakes, and valleys. The study aimed to investigate the disappearance of the juniper plant, a vital species in Saudi Arabia, in recent decades. The research highlighted various factors influencing the quality of life for the juniper plant and its habitats. It sought to identify the primary factors causing changes in the natural conditions of the plant and those influencing its growth. The findings indicated a significant impact of the Suez Canal on the Arar region, the sole connection between Africa and Asia, and Europe. This influence extends beyond geopolitical factors in the surrounding area, as the existence of the Suez Canal disrupted the natural life cycle of many animal species over thousands of years of migrations and coexistence across Earth's continents. These animals previously provided natural organic fertilizer to the soil, supporting plant growth. However, due to low rainfall resulting in low natural nutrients and high salinity, the plants' viability has diminished, reflecting a history of administrative and geopolitical decisions.

Review of forest ecosystem services evaluation studies in East Africa

The East African region hosts diverse forest ecosystems, such as woodlands, highland forests, and coastal mangrove forests. These ecosystems are crucial for biodiversity and support various plant and animal species. They provide essential resources, benefiting livelihoods directly and indirectly. Examining regional and global variations in forest ecosystem valuation, especially regarding livelihood benefits, is crucial for sustainable resource management aligned with forest-based climate solutions. The aim of this review is to assess how regional contextual factors and global trends impact the valuation of ecosystem services (ES) in East Africa, with two main objectives (1) to identify the most evaluated ES in East Africa and (2) to identify the preferred ES valuation methods and approaches applied in East Africa. Data from the Web of Science/Clarivate platform was used in the systematic review process using the Reporting standard for Systematic Evidence Syntheses to retrieve and analyse 222 articles. The ES were categorized using the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment framework and the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services in order to create a review database. Provisioning services i.e., wood biomass and food production were the most assessed at 55%, followed by 30% regulating services i.e., carbon storage, 8.6% support services i.e., habitat and 6.4% cultural services i.e., ecotourism which reflected communities’ direct reliance on forest resources. The preferred direct ES valuation techniques included market price at 14.9% for assessing provisioning services and travel cost methods at 10.4% for cultural services. Amongst the indirect ES valuation techniques, remote sensing at 14.7% were preferred as they proved efficient for large and remote tropical forest areas. Participatory methods such as interviews at 11.8% were also preferred because they offer holistic perspectives on community priorities. This review provides spatial context on the regional priorities of ES valuation which is vital for safeguarding natural resources for future generations.

Political Economic Role in Natural Quality Management and its Impact on Plant Ecology: Why Arar-Juniper Plants Disappeared

Wadi-Arar is a unique region that has lost some of its most important natural features within 200 years, including plants, geographical lakes, and valleys. The study aimed to investigate the disappearance of the juniper plant, a vital species in Saudi Arabia, in recent decades. The research highlighted various factors influencing the quality of life for the juniper plant and its habitats. It sought to identify the primary factors causing changes in the natural conditions of the plant and those influencing its growth. The findings indicated a significant impact of the Suez Canal on the Arar region, the sole connection between Africa and Asia, and Europe. This influence extends beyond geopolitical factors in the surrounding area, as the existence of the Suez Canal disrupted the natural life cycle of many animal species over thousands of years of migrations and coexistence across Earth's continents. These animals previously provided natural organic fertilizer to the soil, supporting plant growth. However, due to low rainfall resulting in low natural nutrients and high salinity, the plants' viability has diminished, reflecting a history of administrative and geopolitical decisions.

Review of forest ecosystem services evaluation studies in East Africa

The East African region hosts diverse forest ecosystems, such as woodlands, highland forests, and coastal mangrove forests. These ecosystems are crucial for biodiversity and support various plant and animal species. They provide essential resources, benefiting livelihoods directly and indirectly. Examining regional and global variations in forest ecosystem valuation, especially regarding livelihood benefits, is crucial for sustainable resource management aligned with forest-based climate solutions. The aim of this review is to assess how regional contextual factors and global trends impact the valuation of ecosystem services (ES) in East Africa, with two main objectives (1) to identify the most evaluated ES in East Africa and (2) to identify the preferred ES valuation methods and approaches applied in East Africa. Data from the Web of Science/Clarivate platform was used in the systematic review process using the Reporting standard for Systematic Evidence Syntheses to retrieve and analyse 222 articles. The ES were categorized using the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment framework and the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services in order to create a review database. Provisioning services i.e., wood biomass and food production were the most assessed at 55%, followed by 30% regulating services i.e., carbon storage, 8.6% support services i.e., habitat and 6.4% cultural services i.e., ecotourism which reflected communities’ direct reliance on forest resources. The preferred direct ES valuation techniques included market price at 14.9% for assessing provisioning services and travel cost methods at 10.4% for cultural services. Amongst the indirect ES valuation techniques, remote sensing at 14.7% were preferred as they proved efficient for large and remote tropical forest areas. Participatory methods such as interviews at 11.8% were also preferred because they offer holistic perspectives on community priorities. This review provides spatial context on the regional priorities of ES valuation which is vital for safeguarding natural resources for future generations.

Prevalence Studies on Brucellosis in Buffalo Population in Nearby Region of Hyderabad, Telangana

Background: Brucellosis in India is highly endemic in many states and reported as the most prevalent disease in dairy cattle. Brucellosis is a highly contagious bacterial disease caused by various Brucella species mainly affecting wide range of different species of animals like cattle, sheep, goat and pigs. The present study was undertaken to ascertain the prevalence of brucellosis in suspected buffalo population showing reproductive disorders in selected dairy farms residing nearby region of Hyderabad, Telangana. Methods: Total number of 204 vaginal swab samples were collected aseptically from suspected buffaloes in nearby private dairy farms and were screened by employing various diagnostic methods. Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA), Lateral Flow Assay (LFA) and molecular identification through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) were conducted. The sensitivity of tests was recorded considering PCR as gold standard method. Result: Screening of 204 vaginal swab samples and prevalence of brucellosis were recorded by ensuring the positive reactions and also depicting the sensitivity of various diagnostic tests namely ELISA, LFA and PCR accounting 92(45.1%), 87 (42.64%) and 113(55.4%) samples respectively. The specificity of both LFA and ELISA were recorded 100% when compared to PCR assay.