Gaur Research Articles

Self-concept and emotional competence among day students and boarders: A comparative study

From times unknown students in India have been living at the house of their teacher while they receive education (the Gurukul system). Today they are called Residential Schools or Boarding Schools.Boarding schools are those which provide meals and lodging options for its students. With the advent of nuclear families and working mothers, boarding schools are more in demand. Many villages do not have adequate schooling facilities and this is another reason why parents opt for boarding schools.Residential education has demonstrated a capacity for bringing about change in the values, norms and actual behaviour, even among youth from a disadvantaged background (Kashti, 1979) Though the Boarding schools have their merits, parents are now questioning whether the children should be kept away from home at such an impressionable age.Adolescence is a difficult age to control, for parents and teachers and it is a difficult period for the adolescents as well. The onset of puberty brings about changes in various aspects; and as a result there is a change in the way they view themselves and the world. It is at this age that they begin to form a Self Concept.The present study was conducted to examine the difference in self concept and emotional competency of adolescent boarders and day-students and also of adolescent boys and girls. The two main traits that this study deals with are self concept and emotional competency.Variables and their operational definitionsSelf Concept: Self Concept has been referred by Lowe (1961) as one's attitude towards self. Saraswat and Gaur (1981) described self concept as the individual's way of looking at him/her. It is a dominant behaviour pattern.Emotional Competency: Emotions play a vital role in the individual behaviour. Emotional growth happens to be rapid during the early years and decreases throughout life (DiCaprio, 1974). Emotions as an impulse towards a definite form of behaviour (Drever, 1972) may arouse, sustain and direct activity and play an energising role (Coleman, 1970) in the undaunted expression of behaviour. How an individual handles his emotions whether competently or incompetently is a question of importance in explaining the growth of personality.According to Coleman (1970), Emotional competency is a blend of 5 competencies:* Adequate depth of feeling: This is the feeling of being confident or capable with all reality assumptions, specifically associated with effective j udgement.* Adequate expression and control of emotions: This refers to a tendency marked by adequate emotional expressiveness based on fulsome expression and control of emotions.* Ability to function with emotions: Emotional competency requires that the individual should develop a characteristic pattern of emotional reactivity which should not let him be influenced in his adequate mode of functioning that helps him perform daily functions* Ability to cope with problem emotions: this requires an understanding of the role of sensitivity and the detrimental effects of such emotions, and to handle them effectively.* Enhancement of Positive Emotions: this refers to the competency of the person to develop a predominance of positive emotions in the personality makeup of the person to ensure a meaningful and integrated life.The present study was conducted to measure the self concept and emotional competency of adolescents. The aim was to find out, how much factors like family, boarding and society affect the self concept and emotional competency of early adolescents.Hypotheses of the studyThefollowing hypotheses were proposedfor this study* There will be no significant difference in self concept and emotional competency between boarders and day-students.* There will be no significant difference in self concept and emotional competency between male and female adolescents.MethodParticipantsThe study comprised of adolescents from 13-16 years including both male and female. …

Aerobic Mesophilic Bacterial Flora of Vagina of Healthy Mithun (Bos frontalis)

Aerobic Mesophilic Bacterial Flora of Vagina of Healthy Mithun (Bos frontalis) In the study on 60 vaginal swabs of apparently healthy mithuns, aerobically growing mesophilic bacteria could be detected in 55 swabs. Probability of isolation of more than one type of bacteria was significantly higher (70%) than isolation of one type (21.7%) or no (8.3%) bacteria from mithun vaginal swabs. The 136 bacteria (29 Gram positive, GPBs and 107 Gram negative, GNBs) isolated could be identified belonging to 24 species of 13 genera. The commonly isolated bacteria were Escherichia coli (43.3%), Enterococcus casseliflavus (38.3%), Proteus penneri (25%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (18.3%) and Aeromonas eucranophila (11.7%). All GPBs were sensitive to ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, norfloxacin, nalidixic acid, nitrofurantoin and netillin and all GNBs were sensitive to gentamicin. All K. pneumoniae and majority of the E. coli and Aeromonas isolates were resistant to ampicillin.

Species identification of Malayan Gaur, Kedah-Kelantan and Bali cattle using polymerase chain reaction-restricted fragment length polymorphism

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a useful genetic marker that can be used for species identification. The cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene is a suitable mtDNA candidate gene for use in phylogenetic analyses due to its sequence variability, which makes it appropriate for comparisons at the subspecies, species, and genus levels. This study was conducted to develop a rapid molecular method for species identification of Malayan gaur (Bos gaurus hubbacki), Kedah-Kelantan (KK) (Bos indicus), and Bali (Bos javanicus) cattle in Malaysia. DNA was extracted from blood samples of 8 Malayan gaurs, 30 KK, and 28 Bali cattle. A set of both specific and universal primers for the Cyt b gene were used in PCR amplification. DNA sequences obtained were then analyzed using BioEdit and Restriction Mapper softwares. The PCR products obtained from Cyt b gene amplification were then subjected to restriction enzyme digestion. The amplification, using both specific and universal primers, produced a 154- and a 603-bp fragment, respectively, in all three species. Two restriction enzymes, NlaIV and SspI, were used to obtain specific restriction profiles that allowed direct identification of Malayan gaur, KK, and Bali cattle. Our findings indicate that all three species can be identified separately using a combination of universal primers and the restriction enzyme SspI.

A new high-frequency allele of the BM2113 locus in the Yunnan mithun population.

The BM2113 locus was amplified in Yunnan mithun (Bos frontalis) from the southwest mountains of China. It showed a high degree of polymorphism with a total of 12 alleles. The 121-bp polymorphic allele of the BM2113 locus that accounted for 37.1% of homozygotes was the predominant allele with a frequency of 58.57%, identified as mithun-specific for Bos species in Yunnan mithun. The polymorphism information content value was high with a mean of 0.6170, the expected and observed heterozygosity was moderate with values of 0.6427 and 0.6000, respectively, and the BM2113 locus was under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P = 0.2897) in the Yunnan mithun population. This study elucidated the genetic diversity, multi-origin, specific alleles, and characterization of mithun.

First molecular data on Bornean banteng Bos javanicus lowi (Cetartiodactyla, Bovidae) from Sabah, Malaysian Borneo

Phylogenetic relationships among three subspecies of banteng, Burma banteng Bos javanicus birmanicus in mainland Southeast Asia, Javan banteng Bos javanicus javanicus in Java, and Bornean banteng Bos javanicus lowi in Borneo, and the presence/absence of interbreeding between wild Bornean banteng and domestic cattle in Sabah, Malaysia, were investigated by partial sequences of cytochrome b and D-loop of mitochondrial DNA. The results show that genetic distance of the Bornean banteng are relatively close to the gaur Bos gaurus/gayal Bos frontalis (the cytochrome b, 0.004–0.025; the D-loop, 0.012–0.021) followed by Burma banteng (the cytochrome b, 0.027–0.035; the D-loop, 0.040–0.045), and kouprey Bos sauveli (the cytochrome b, 0.031–0.035; the D-loop, 0.037–0.042). There are much greater distances between Bornean banteng and domestic cattle, Bos taurus and Bos indicus (the cytochrome b, 0.059–0.076; the D-loop, 0.081–0.090). These results suggest that the Bornean banteng diverged genetically from other banteng subspecies and that the wild Bornean banteng from this study are pure strain and have high conservation value.

Prevalence of Eimerian species of Mithun (Bos frontalis) from North Eastern Hilly Region of India

An investigation was carried out in order to have a overview of coccidian parasites occurrence based on standard parasitological procedure from north eastern hilly region of India during the period from 2010-13. Study was carried out both from free ranging as well as semi intensive condition. Month wise no significant occurrence was noted between the month as well as seasonal basis in Jharnapani farm. However, higher occurrence was noted in the season of postmoonsoon season in calves. However, from free ranging condition, only 8 animals were positive out 205 animals examined from north eastern hilly region. In comparison to both free ranging as well as semi intensive, there was no significant occurrence in mithun. The predominance of Eimeria bovis, E. aurburnensis, E.alabamensis and E. zurnii, however, in rare cases of three animals were found to be positive for E. bukidonensis infection

Blood profiles of mithun (Bos frontalis) under different stages of reproduction

The study was carried out in the herd of mithun maintained at Jharnapani farm, NRC on Mithun, Nagaland. In total 64 (n=64) mithun of which, are divided in to four groups such as heifer (4), oestrus cows (4), pregnant cows (4) and non pregnant cows (4) for four strains namely Arunachalee (16), Mizoram (16), Nagaland (16) and Manipur (16) based on per rectal examination and farm records and were clinically normal. The blood samples were examined for the biochemical and heamatological profiles. Significant (p<0.05) difference was observed in ESR (mm/Hr) in pregnant and non pregnant stage between the different strains of mithun and also significant (p<0.05) difference was observed between the different stages of reproduction in Mizoram and Manipur strains. Results of bio-chemical parameters revealed that glucose concentration was showed a significant (p<0.05) different between the different strains in non pregnant stage of mithun. Other biochemical and haematological parameters were not significant different between the strains and between the different stages of reproduction.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in mithun (Bos frontalis) from north eastern hilly region of India.

Mithun (Bos frontalis) ismostly utilized for meat purpose by the local tribal people of north eastern hilly region of India. Meat born diseases are very important issues for the people of these areas from the public health point of view. In order to realize the issues, the serological prevalence of Toxoplasmosis was carried out as per ELISA kit (CHEKIT* TOXOTEST, IDEXX Laboratory, USA) to find out Toxoplasma gondii antibody. As a whole, out of 195 animals examined, only 8 (4.10%) animals were found to be suspected and one (0.51%) animalwas found to be positive in this precious animal of thenorth eastern region.

Filarial infections in semi-wild cattle of Northeast India: first record of Setaria digitata (von Linstow 1906) in Bos frontalis (Lambert 1804).

The occurrence of adult Setaria digitata, a filarial nematode of bovine host is reported for the first time from mithun (Bos frontalis) of Arunachal Pradesh, India. During December 2011 to March 2012, a thorough survey was undertaken to evaluate the incidence and intensity of helminth infections among semi-wild cattle in Northeast India. During the course of investigation, the relatively uncommon species of Setaria was encountered among two out of eleven mithun examined. Through light and scanning electron microscopy, the nematode is identified as S. digitata.

Effect of foot and mouth disease vaccination on seminal and biochemical profiles of mithun (Bos frontalis) semen

Abstract Objective To assess the effect of foot and mouth disease (FMD) vaccination on seminal and biochemical profiles of semen of mithun at pre and post vaccinated stage. Methods The breeding bulls were maintained at Semen Collection Centre, National Research Centre on Mithun, Jharnapani, Nagaland. A total of 160 ejaculates were collected from eight mithun bulls twice a week at about 4 weeks in pre vaccinated stage and 12 weeks post vaccinated stage to know the effect of vaccine stress on seminal and biochemical profiles of mithun semen. The vaccine was given at the end of 4th week of experimental period and semen was collected and evaluated upto the 16th weeks of experimental period. Results It revealed that FMD vaccination affected the sperm functional and biochemical parameters significantly (P Conclusions The adverse effect of vaccination on seminal parameters suggest that the semen collection and preservation should be suspended till 10th weeks of vaccination to get normal fertility of sperm to avoid the failure of conception from artificial insemination using such semen in this precious species.

A baseline survey of ungulate abundance and distribution in northern Lao: implications for conservation

AbstractLarge ungulates across South-east Asia have been experiencing a rapid decline in recent decades because of overexploitation by humans. An absence of reliable data on the abundance and distribution of ungulates makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of conservation efforts to recover their populations. As the principal prey for Endangered tigers Panthera tigris, depletion of wild ungulates is a major threat to the species' persistence and recovery across its range. This study estimated abundance and distribution of five ungulate taxa using a grid-based occupancy survey across a 3,000 km2 core zone within the 5,950 km2 Nam Et–Phou Louey National Protected Area in northern Lao. The results show an abundance index of 5.29 ± 0.30 ungulates per km2, with muntjac Munticus spp. and wild pig Sus spp. being most common, moderate levels of serow Capricornis milneedwardsii and sambar Cervus unicolor but few gaur Bos gaurus. This low abundance of medium- and large-sized ungulates at the site strongly suggests that strict control of hunting of these ungulates is important for securing their long-term survival as well as that of the tiger population that depends on them, which is currently the only known breeding population remaining in Indochina.

Hunting practices of an Indo-Tibetan Buddhist tribe in Arunachal Pradesh, north-east India

AbstractHunting is a serious threat to Indian wildlife. We used semi-structured interviews to assess hunting practices, cultural contexts and village-level governance within a Buddhist Indo-Tibetan tribe in the biologically rich region of Arunachal Pradesh. A large majority (96%) of the 50 respondents preferred wild meat over domestic meat, and most hunted for recreation. Species such as the Asian elephant Elephas maximus are still considered taboo to hunters but other species that were once taboo (such as gaur Bos gaurus) are now hunted. A month-long ban was previously instituted to prohibit tribal hunting during the wildlife breeding season each year but this has now decreased to 16-days duration. A multi-level governance framework is needed to resolve a mismatch between national policy in India and grass-roots governance for managing wildlife hunting.

Using BAD for good: how best available data facilitated a precautionary policy change to improve protection of the prey of the tiger Panthera tigris in Malaysia

AbstractTiger Panthera tigris populations are under threat from poaching and depletion of their prey populations. The National Tiger Action Plan for Malaysia contains several actions addressing the threat of legal and illegal hunting of tiger prey species. One action in this plan required an investigation of whether urgent policy changes were needed to improve the protection of the prey of tigers, based on existing data. As the lack of reliable baseline data prevented us from determining population trends accurately, we compiled camera-trapping data from 23 studies conducted between 1997 and 2008 on four principal tiger prey species (sambar Rusa unicolor, barking deer Muntiacus muntjac, wild boar Sus scrofa and bearded pig S. barbatus) and two potential prey species (gaur Bos gaurus and Malayan tapir Tapirus indicus) and compared their distributions and relative abundances. From 10,145 wildlife photographs spanning 40,303 trap-nights, sambar, bearded pig and gaur appeared to be most threatened given their restricted distribution and low relative abundance. Among these, the gaur has full legal protection and has received more conservation attention than the other two species. Following our assessment and advocacy a 6-year moratorium on hunting both sambar and barking deer was imposed by the Malaysian government and the highest protection status possible was afforded the bearded pig. This case study illustrates how best available data (BAD), in this case from camera-trapping studies, can be harnessed to effect precautionary policy changes to curb the impacts of hunting on threatened predator and prey populations that could crash well before resources would otherwise be available for rigorous scientific assessments.

Habitat suitability modelling for Gaur (Bos gaurus) using multiple logistic regression, remote sensing and GIS

The aim of this study is to produce georeferenced ecological information about the suitable habitats available for gaur Bos gaurus in Chandoli tiger reserve, India (17° 04′ 00″ N to 17° 19′ 54″ N and 73° 40′ 43″ E to 73° 53′ 09″ E). Habitat suitability index (H.S.I.) was developed using multiple logistic regression (MLR) integrated with remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS). Satellite imageries of study area, acquired from Indian remote sensing satellite-P6, linear imaging self-scanning satellite-III of 2005, was digitally processed, whereas topographic maps were used for generating the collateral data in a GIS framework. Various layers of different variables such as forest density, Landuse land cover, measures of proximity to disturbances and water resources and a digital terrain model were created from satellite and topographic data. These layers along with global positioning system location of gaur presence/absence and MLR technique were integrated in a GIS environment for modelling the H.S.I. of gaur. The results indicate that approximately 91.80 km2 (31.14%) of the forest of tiger reserve is highly suitable for gaur, whereas, 115.18 km2 (39.07%) is suitable, 72.12 km2 (24.47%) moderately suitable and 15.67 km2 (5.32%) is least suitable. The accuracy level of this model is 70.7%. However, model is potent enough to advocate that forests of this area are most appropriate for declaring it as a reserve, for gaur conservation.

The molecular phylogenetic signature of Bali cattle revealed by maternal and paternal markers

Bali cattle is a domestic cattle breed that can be found in Malaysia. It is a domestic cattle that was purely derived from a domestication event in Banteng (Bos javanicus) around 3,500 BC in Indonesia. This research was conducted to portray the phylogenetic relationships of the Bali cattle with other cattle species in Malaysia based on maternal and paternal lineage. We analyzed the cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) mitochondrial gene and SRY of Y chromosome obtained from five species of the Bos genus (B. javanicus, Bos gaurus, Bos indicus, Bos taurus, and Bos grunniens). The water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) was used as an outgroup. The phylogenetic relationships were observed by employing several algorithms: Neighbor-Joining (PAUP version 4.0), Maximum parsimony (PAUP version 4.0) and Bayesian inference (MrBayes 3.1). Results from the maternal data showed that the Bali cattle formed a monophyletic clade, and together with the B. gaurus clade formed a wild cattle clade. Results were supported by high bootstrap and posterior probability values together with genetic distance data. For the paternal lineage, the sequence variation is low (with parsimony informative characters: 2/660) resulting an unresolved Neighbor-Joining tree. However, Bali cattle and other domestic cattle appear in two monophyletic clades distinct from yak, gaur and selembu. This study expresses the potential of the COI gene in portraying the phylogenetic relationships between several Bos species which is important for conservation efforts especially in decision making since cattle is highly bred and hybrid breeds are often formed. Genetic conservation for this high quality beef cattle breed is important by maintaining its genetic characters to prevent extinction or even decreased the genetic quality.

Home Range, Habitat Use and Food Habits of Re-Introduced Gaur (Bos Gaurus Gaurus) in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Central India

Gaur, which became locally extinct before 1995 in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR), Central India, is an endangered animal per Schedule - I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act (1972). A re-introduction program was therefore created to rebuild the gaur population in BTR, both to enhance the long-term survival of the species and to restore natural biodiversity. After re-introduction, the home range, habitat use and food habits of gaur (Bos gaurus gaurus) were studied in BTR, India, from January 2011 to January 2012. Nineteen gaurs (five males - three radio-collared and 14 females - nine radio-collared) were re-introduced from Kanha Tiger Reserve to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in January 2011. The reintroduced gaurs were monitored periodically through ground tracking and satellite GPS fixes. The mean annual group size of gaur was estimated at 7.3 ± 0.76 (SE). The overall estimated summer, monsoon and winter home ranges of gaur were 290 km2, 137 km2 and 155 km2 (Minimum Convex Polygon) respectively. The overall individual male home ranges varied from 135 to 142 km2, and overall individual female home ranges varied from 32 to 169 km2. Radio collared locations were plotted on a classified (LISS III) habitat map of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve to evaluate the habitat use and availability in each season. Habitat preference was computed using Bonferroni confidence interval method, compositional analysis and Ivlev's index. In summer, gaur largely preferred grassland (P&lt;0.0001), whereas in monsoon and winter, gaur preferred bamboo mixed forest (P&lt;0.0001). Gaur avoi ded open mixed forest (P&lt;0.0001) and agricultural land in all three seasons. Data on food habits were collected through opportunistic sightings. In total, gaur fed on 68 plant species. The present study has reported first-time information on ranging patterns of reintroduced gaur and their degree of preferences for different vegetation and terrain types across seasons, which will be very useful to the park administration for future conservation of this endangered species and for habitat intervention.

Tick and Tick Borne Protozoan Diseases of Livestock in the Selected Hilly Areas of Bangladesh

To study the tick and tick borne protozoan diseases of livestock in the hilly areas of Bangladesh, an attempt was made to collect tick and blood samples from cattle, goat and gayal (Bos frontalis) from different areas of the three hill districts. In this study, two species of ticks namely, Boophilus microplus (92%) and Amblyomma testudinarium (21.6%) and two species of blood protozoa like Babesia bigemina (16.63%) and Anaplasma marginale (14.94%) were recorded. Seasonal prevalence of ticks was highest in summer (97%) in comparison to rainy (95%) and winter (86%) season. On the other hand, the seasonal prevalence of blood protozoa was highest in rainy season (45.45%) in comparison to summer (27.87%) and winter (16.55%). Again, animals aged more than 2 (two) years of age (52%) found to be more susceptible to blood protozoan diseases than animals aged between 1-2 years of age (33.97%). But none of the animals under one year of age were found to be infected with blood protozoan diseases. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v1i1-2.13934 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. &amp; Tech. 1 (1&amp;2): 60-63, December, 2011

Genetic characterization of banteng (Bos javanicus) in Lam Pao Wildlife Conservation Development and Promotion Station, Kalasin Province

We analyzed the mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences of bantengs (Bos javanicus) domesticated in Lam Pao Wildlife Conservation Development and Promotion Station, Kalasin Province, which were donated by the Indonesian government. A total of 373 nucleotide and 117 amino acid positions of the Cyb gene were sequenced and compared among the banteng isolates as well as other species of Bovidae. The bantengs domesticated in Kalasin showed 100% identity with the Indonesian bantengs and were more closely clustered with the gaur, Bos gaurus and Bos frontalis instead of a clade of Thai and Cambodian bantengs. Thus, the Kalasin banteng represent a pure strain of B. javanicus, Indonesian banteng.

Retention of Placenta in Mithun (Bos Frontalis) Cow

The aim of study was to make an attempt to treat and study the retention of placenta in mithun (Bos frontalis) and the heamatological and biochemical profiles of mithun in NRC on mithun, Jharnapani, Nagaland, India. A Nagaland strain of mithun cow was purchased from Kohima, Nagaland and was confirmed as advanced pregnant. It delivered a healthy live male calf normally, however the case was diagnosed as retained placenta when it failed to expel after 24 hours of parturition. The retained placenta was removed manually as per standard procedure with aseptic measures. The mithun cow was treated successfully and allowed to nurse the calf. Blood was collected at the time of retention of placenta and analysed the biochemical and heamatological profiles. Result revealed that the mithun cow was suffered severe anaemia, and fatty liver disorders. Main control measures are to maintain a healthy, contented and active cow prior to, during and after parturition. A balanced, limited ration during the 6-8 week dry period; sufficient daily exercise; sufficiently large, clean and comfortable calving areas (preferably on pasture); and proper sanitary procedures during the calving period minimize the chances of retention and infections of the reproductive tract.

Polymorphism of insulin like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) partial gene in mithun

A fragment of 652 bp corresponding to exon–2–3 of IGFBP3 gene was amplified in 90 mithun (Bos frontalis). The PCR- RFLP analysis showed the absence of polymorphism in this fragment with respect to HinfI restriction enzyme and showed only 2 restriction sites, which produced 3 fragments of 314, 206 and 132 bp (AA genotype). Six single nucleotide differences viz. T34C, C164G, T175C, A354G, T599C and G614A existed in mithun sequences when compared to cattle. The neocleotide and amino acid sequence homology between them was 98.2 and 100% respectively. Mithun had minimum deviation from cattle with respect to nucleotide as well as amino acid sequences. The sequence of the amplicon, which was the first report on mithun IGFBP3, was submitted to GenBank (Accession number EF686017).