Species Of Bovidae Research Articles

Identification, Molecular Characterization and Preliminary Functional Analysis of Three SLC27A Full-CDS cDNAs from Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Background: Solute carrier family 27 family (SLC27As) have been identified to be involved in long chain fatty acid uptake in various tissues and cells, but their function in buffalo is unclear. Buffalo is an important dairy animal in some parts of the world. Buffalo milk contains more fat, protein, lactose and minerals than cow’s milk. The objective of this study was to identify the buffalo SLC27A1, 2 and 6 genes and to describe their characteristics, structure and basic function. Methods: The full-length coding sequences (CDSs) of SLC27A1, 2 and 6 were isolated from Binglangjiang buffalo and bioinformatics analyses were used to provide insights into the physicochemical characteristics, structure and function of their encoded proteins. Result: The CDSs of buffalo SLC27A1, 2 and 6 were 1941 bp, 1863 bp and 1905 bp in length, respectively, encoding 646, 620 and 634 amino acid residues accordingly. Their proteins FATP1, 2 and 6 have no signal peptide but a transmembrane helix with the N-terminus located outside the membrane and the C-terminus located in cytoplasmic side. All three proteins contain AMP-binding domains that belonged to AFD_class_I superfamily and may play a crucial role in the transport of fatty acids. The amino acid sequences of buffalo FATP1, 2 and 6 showed more than 88.6% identity with other species of Bovidae and more than 76.4% identity with other species of mammals. The phylogenetic tree showed that buffalo FATP1, 2 and 6 clustered in their respective clades and buffalo was more closely genetically related to other species of the Bovidae family. These findings suggest that buffalo FATPs are more similar in function to other species. The present study will provide a theoretical basis for further investigation of the functions of FATP1, 2 and 6 in buffalo lipid metabolism, especially milk fat metabolism.

Occurrence of beta-casein allele A1 in Bovidae species

In the last two decades bovine beta-casein variant A1 has attracted attention in the dairy industry as a source of beta-casomorphin-7 opioid-like peptide with potentially harmful effects on human health. Because the origin of this variant is unknown, the aim of the study was to investigate its occurrence in different species of the Bovidae family. Blood samples were taken from 137 animals belonging to 17 Bovidae species. All animals were genotyped in beta-casein locus by Illumina Bovine MDv2 Chip. The results shown that allele A1 was present in Bos taurus cattle, including primitive cattle (Watusi and Ukraine) and in a modern dairy breed (Holstein). In Dahomey cattle, two heterozygous A1A2 individuals were found. In all remaining species, no animal carrying allele A1 of beta-casein was identified. It may be concluded that allele A2 is ancestral to allele A1 and was spread especially within modern dairy cattle

X Chromosome-Specific Repeats in Non-Domestic Bovidae.

Repetitive sequences form a substantial and still enigmatic part of the mammalian genome. We isolated repetitive DNA blocks of the X chromosomes of three species of the family Bovidae: Kobus defassa (KDEXr sequence), Bos taurus (BTAXr sequence) and Antilope cervicapra (ACEXr sequence). The copy numbers of the isolated sequences were assessed using qPCR, and their chromosomal localisations were analysed using FISH in ten bovid tribes and in outgroup species. Besides their localisation on the X chromosome, their presence was also revealed on the Y chromosome and autosomes in several species. The KDEXr sequence abundant in most Bovidae species also occurs in distant taxa (Perissodactyla and Carnivora) and seems to be evolutionarily older than BTAXr and ACEXr. The ACEXr sequence, visible only in several Antilopini species using FISH, is probably the youngest, and arised in an ancestor common to Bovidae and Cervidae. All three repetitive sequences analysed in this study are interspersed among gene-rich regions on the X chromosomes, apparently preventing the crossing-over in their close vicinity. This study demonstrates that repetitive sequences on the X chromosomes have undergone a fast evolution, and their variation among related species can be beneficial for evolutionary studies.

Дикі та свійські копитні степових регіонів України: оцінки для Луганщини на початок 21 століття

This article deals with the analysis of abundance and distribution of wild and domestic ungulates in Luhansk Oblast (eastern Ukraine). Descriptions of 10 ungulate species are given, including one species of the family Suidae (Sus scrofa), five species of Cervidae (Cervus elaphus, Cervus nippon, Dama dama, Capreolus capreolus, and Alces alces), three species of Bovidae (Bos taurus, Capra hircus, and Ovis aries), and one species of Equidae (Equus caballus). It shows the decline of populations of many ungulate species, including a 73.8% reduction in the number of cattle and a corresponding 23.4% reduction in the area of major crops in the region. In order to save the lands that have never been ploughed before, and to restore the steppe, we propose to increase the abundance of horses.

Molecular cloning, functional characterization, tissue expression and polymorphism analysis of buffalo PRDX6 gene

PRDX6 is a bifunctional protein involved in antioxidant regulation and phospholipid metabolism. Previous studies have shown that PRDX6 is involved in some biological pathways and networks related to lactation. The aim of this study was to explore the characteristics, function, tissue expression and variation of buffalo PRDX6 gene. We cloned and characterized the complete coding sequence (CDS) of buffalo PRDX6. The CDS of PRDX6 for swamp and river buffalo is the same, which consists of 675 nucleotides and encodes a protein of 224 amino acids. Buffalo PRDX6 contains one PRX_1cys functional domain (AA 7–222), which is probably related to the regulation of oxidative stress. Multi-tissue differential expression analysis showed that buffalo PRDX6 was highly expressed in the muscle, brain, lung and small intestine during non-lactation and lactation, and there were significant differences in expression in all the tissues except the small intestine between the two periods. It is worth noting that the mRNA abundance of buffalo PRDX6 in non-lactating mammary gland is higher than that in lactating mammary gland. Among the two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified in the CDS in this study, c.261C>T is shared by the two types of buffalo with different allelic frequencies, and c.426T>G is found only in river buffalo. The c.426T>G is non-synonymous, resulting in the amino acid substitution p.Asn142Lys. Only one nucleotide differential site is identified in PRDX6 gene between buffalo and other species of Bovidae. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that buffalo PRDX6 has a closer genetic relationship with that of the species in Bovidae. These results indicate that PRDX6 probably plays a crucial role in the mammary gland of buffalo. This study provides the foundation for further functional studies of PRDX6 in buffalo.

Identification, Molecular Characterization, and Tissue Expression Profiles of Three Smad Genes from Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

Smads are involved in a variety of biological activities by mediating bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signals. The full-length coding sequences (CDSs) of buffalo Smads 1, 4, and 5 were isolated and identified through RT-PCR in this study. Their lengths are 1398 bp, 1662 bp, and 1398 bp, respectively. In silico analysis showed that their transcriptional region structures, as well as their amino acid sequences, physicochemical characteristics, motifs, conserved domains, and three-dimensional structures of their encoded proteins are highly consistent with their counterparts in the species of Bovidae. The three Smad proteins are all hydrophilic without the signal peptides and transmembrane regions. Each of them has an MH1 domain and an MH2 domain. A nuclear localization sequence was found in the MH1 domain of buffalo Smads 1 and 5. Prediction showed that the function of the three Smads is mainly protein binding, and they can interact with BMPs and their receptors. The three genes were expressed in all 10 buffalo tissues assayed, and their expression in the mammary gland, gonad, and spleen was relatively high. The results here indicate that the three buffalo Smads may be involved in the transcriptional regulation of genes in a variety of tissues.

Assessing Distribution Range and Structural Habitat Connectivity of Four Species of Bovidae in Fars Province

Assessing Distribution Range and Structural Habitat Connectivity of Four Species of Bovidae in Fars Province

EVIDENCE OF EPIZOOTIC HEMORRHAGIC DISEASE VIRUS AND BLUETONGUE VIRUS EXPOSURE IN NONNATIVE RUMINANT SPECIES IN NORTHERN FLORIDA.

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) and bluetongue virus (BTV) are vector-borne viruses of ruminants nearly worldwide. They can affect white-tailed deer (WTD; Odocoileus virginianus), the ranching industry, and nonindigenous hoof stock species managed for conservation. One potential risk factor for ranched WTD is commingling with nonindigenous species on high-fenced properties. Nonindigenous species provide novel viewing and hunting opportunities; however, their presence may create disease hazards. Furthermore, animals within conservation properties may be at a risk from commingling exotics and adjacent wild WTD. Currently, knowledge about EHDV and BTV seroprevalence and transmission is limited in nonindigenous populations in the southeastern United States. The authors conducted a serological survey of 10 Bovidae and 5 Cervidae species residing within two properties in northern Florida. The first site was a conservation property breeding threatened nonindigenous species for conservation. The second property was a private high-fenced game preserve managing WTD and nonindigenous species for breeding, sale, and harvest. Blood samples were tested for titers to three EHDV serotypes (1, 2, and 6) and active circulating viral EHDV and BTV. The private ranch had evidence of EHDV or BTV in one of three (33.3%) Bovidae species and four of five (80%) Cervidae species sampled. At the conservation property, evidence of EHDV infection was found in four of seven (57.1%) Bovidae and one of one (100%) Cervidae species sampled. The presence of antibodies in many nonindigenous species sampled might indicate these species are potential viral hosts and may be a risk to ranched WTD and other species within the same property. Nonindigenous species within the private ranch and conservation properties are at risk of contracting EHDV and BTV, and herd managers should reduce vector-host interactions and consider increased biosecurity measures when translocating animals.

Signature of high altitude adaptation in the gluteus proteome of the yak

Yak is the unique Bovidae species in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. A previous proteomic study has compared the yak muscle tissue to one cattle strain using the isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification approach. In this study, to further investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying yak adaptation, the proteomic profiles of gluteus were compared between yak and one moderate-altitude cattle strain (Tibetan cattle) and two low-altitude cattle strains (Holstein and Sanjiang cattle) using a label-free quantitative method. The comparisons identified 20, 364, 143 upregulated proteins and 4, 6, 37 downregulated proteins in yak, compared with Tibetan, Holstein, and Sanjiang cattle, respectively. Protein-protein interaction analysis indicated that these differentially expressed proteinswere mainly related to "oxidative phosphorylation" and "electron transport chain."Further analysis revealed that NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] 1 alpha subcomplex subunit 11, NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] 1 beta subcomplex subunit 4, cytochrome C oxidase subunit 6A2, mitochondrialand cytochrome c oxidase subunit NDUFA4were all increased in the yak, suggesting that yak might increase mitochondrial capacity to sustain metabolic rates under high altitude conditions, which might be a long-term adaptive mechanism underlying adaptation to high altitude environments. Yak increased the level of thioredoxin reductase 2to protect themselves from oxidative damages. Moreover, the increased expression levels of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha isoformand caveolin-1 in yak suggested that yaks promoted glucose uptake for adaptation to high altitude. These results provided more information to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying yak adaption.

Evolutionary relationship and population structure of domestic Bovidae animals based on MHC-linked and neutral autosomal microsatellite markers

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes are critical for disease resistance or susceptibility responsible for host-pathogen interactions determined mainly by extensive polymorphisms in the MHC genes. Here, we examined the diversity and phylogenetic pattern of MHC haplotypes reconstructed using three MHC-linked microsatellite markers in 55 populations of five Bovidae species and compared them with those based on neutral autosomal microsatellite markers (NAMs). Three-hundred-and-forty MHC haplotypes were identified in 1453 Bovidae individuals, suggesting significantly higher polymorphism and heterozygosity compared with those based on NAMs. The ambitious boundaries in population differentiation (phylogenetic network, pairwise FST and STRUCTURE analyses) within and between species assessed using the MHC haplotypes were different from those revealed by NAMs associated closely with speciation, geographical distribution, domestication and management histories. In addition, the mean FST was significantly correlated negatively with the number of observed alleles (NA), observed (HO) and expected (HE) heterozygosity and polymorphism information content (PIC) (P < 0.05) in the MHC haplotype dataset while there was no correction of the mean FST estimates (P> 0.05) between the MHC haplotype and NAMs datasets. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed a lower percentage of total variance (PTV) between species/groups based on the MHC-linked microsatellites than NAMs. Therefore, it was inferred that individuals within populations accumulated as many MHC variants as possible to increase their heterozygosity and thus the survival rate of their affiliated populations and species, which eventually reduced population differentiation and thereby complicated their classification and phylogenetic relationship inference. In summary, host-pathogen coevolution and heterozygote advantage, rather than demographic history, act as key driving forces shaping the MHC diversity within the populations and determining the interspecific MHC diversity.

Transformation of Food Lignocellulose Compounds in the Digestive Tract of Saigatatarica: Functional and Comparative Aspects

Comparative analysis of chymus transformation have been carried out in Saiga tatarica kept at the Center for Wild Animals of Kalmykia, as well as in four wild Bovidae species: the Siberian ibex Capra sibirica, the East Caucasian tur C. cylindricornis, the chamois Rupicapra rupicapra, and the bighorn sheep Ovis сanadensis. The size composition of cellulose fibers and the nutrient content were studied in different parts of the digestive tract and in feces of 12 animals. It was found that the relative cellulose value in the saiga rumen was higher than in other Bovidae species, whereas in feces it was lower. The most effective cellulose fiber reduction in the digestive tract was observed in the East Caucasian tur, while in the Siberian ibex it was the least effective. It was shown that in S. tatarica successful fiber reduction depended not only on the dental apparatus, but also on the enzyme system of the species.

Can roe deer hunting be selective? A case study from the Pyrenees

Trophy Hunting (TH) is thought to be the reason for the reduction in length and thickness of trophies as well as body size in several Bovidae species. In deer populations, changes have occurred in allele frequencies and in number of antler tips, possibly the result of the removal of males that showed the best trophies. To evaluate whether TH selection occurred in a roe deer population, we compared the antlers and body biometrics of bucks harvested (n=278, 2006-2014) through stalking with a ranger within Game Reserves in the Aragonese Pyrenees (Spain) and those of non-hunted bucks found dead in the same and surrounding areas (n=28, 2004-2014); the latter were necropsied. For the analyses, hunters were assigned to one of three categories: local, regional, or national, depending on the origin and access to the hunting permissions. The study assessed the selection perception and hunt difficulty among rangers (n=18) and hunters (n=209). Statistical analyses used non-parametric Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The results indicated that (i), in all biometrics except brow tines, hunted bucks were larger than the non-hunted ones, (ii) hunter typologies did not differ, and (iii) rangers and hunters did not differ in their perceptions of selection and difficulty. Our results suggest that, the roe deer hunt through stalking in the Game Reserves selected the best trophies, and the rangers were essential in that process. Furthermore, if the main objective of roe deer TH is to harvest the animals with larger antlers, this selection could have a long-term negative impact.

Comparative Chromosome Mapping of Musk Ox and the X Chromosome among Some Bovidae Species.

Bovidae, the largest family in Pecora infraorder, are characterized by a striking variability in diploid number of chromosomes between species and among individuals within a species. The bovid X chromosome is also remarkably variable, with several morphological types in the family. Here we built a detailed chromosome map of musk ox (Ovibos moschatus), a relic species originating from Pleistocene megafauna, with dromedary and human probes using chromosome painting. We trace chromosomal rearrangements during Bovidae evolution by comparing species already studied by chromosome painting. The musk ox karyotype differs from the ancestral pecoran karyotype by six fusions, one fission, and three inversions. We discuss changes in pecoran ancestral karyotype in the light of new painting data. Variations in the X chromosome structure of four bovid species nilgai bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus), saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis), gaur (Bos gaurus), and Kirk’s Dikdik (Madoqua kirkii) were further analyzed using 26 cattle BAC-clones. We found the duplication on the X in saola. We show main rearrangements leading to the formation of four types of bovid X: Bovinae type with derived cattle subtype formed by centromere reposition and Antilopinae type with Caprini subtype formed by inversion in XSB1.

Climate change effects on species of Bovidae family in Iran

Climate change and its effect on life is a big challenge for scientists all over the world. Global biodiversity has diminished in recent years because of climate change, human developments and some other factors. One reason for wildlife population loss is habitat degradation caused by climate change. Predicting habitat suitability can help wildlife managers to protect wildlife more effectively. Accordingly, in this study, we used present habitat suitability of five species of wild Bovidae in Iran to predict climate change effects on their habitats for a future condition over 62 years. To predict this, four RCPs and one GCM in four CC scenarios were used. Our results revealed that climate variables are important to predict suitable habitats. This study showed that at present time suitable habitats for wild goat, Urial wild sheep, Armenian wild sheep, goitered gazelle and jebeer in Iran’s total area are 5.5%, 5.8%, 5.9%, 4.9% and 5.2%, respectively. The results also reveal that in the future 59.83%, 60.89%, 59.18%, 53.57%, 69.86% of current suitable habitats will be lost for each species, respectively, over 62 years. Based on the result of our study, it seems more than 60% of suitable habitat for the studied species will be destroyed over this time period. In our opinion, wildlife managers should consider the remaining suitable habitats as some parts of a protected area before the conditions get irreversible.

Sequence variation of necdin gene in Bovidae

BackgroundNecdin (NDN), a member of the melanoma antigen family showing imprinted pattern of expression, has been implicated as causing Prader-Willi symptoms, and known to participate in cellular growth, cellular migration and differentiation. The region where NDN is located has been associated to QTLs affecting reproduction and early growth in cattle, but location and functional analysis of the molecular mechanisms have not been established.MethodsHere we report the sequence variation of the entire coding sequence from 72 samples of cattle, yak, buffalo, goat and sheep, and discuss its variation in Bovidae. Median-joining network analysis was used to analyze the variation found in the species. Synonymous and non-synonymous substitution rates were determined for the analysis of all the polymorphic sites. Phylogenetic analysis were carried out among the species of Bovidae to reconstruct their relationships.ResultsFrom the phylogenetic analysis with the consensus sequences of the studied Bovidae species, we found that only 11 of the 26 nucleotide changes that differentiate them produced amino acid changes. All the SNPs found in the cattle breeds were novel and showed similar percentages of nucleotides with non-synonymous substitutions at the N-terminal, MHD and C-terminal (12.3, 12.8 and 12.5%, respectively), and were much higher than the percentage of synonymous substitutions (2.5, 2.6 and 4.9%, respectively). Three mutations in cattle and one in sheep, detected in heterozygous individuals were predicted to be deleterious. Additionally, the analysis of the biochemical characteristics in the most common form of the proteins in each species show very little difference in molecular weight, pI, net charge, instability index, aliphatic index and GRAVY (Table 4) in the Bovidae species, except for sheep, which had a higher molecular weight, instability index and GRAVY.ConclusionsThere is sufficient variation in this gene within and among the studied species, and because NDN carry key functions in the organism, it can have effects in economically important traits in the production of these species. NDN sequence is phylogenetically informative in this group, thus we propose this gene as a phylogenetic marker to study the evolution and conservation in Bovidae.

Helminths of Exotic Even-Toed Ungulates (Artiodactyla) in the Askania-Nova Biosphere Reserve, Ukraine

Abstract More than 30 species of exotic ungulates are currently kept in the Askania-Nova Biosphere Reserve (Kherson Region, Ukraine). During the years 1978–2014, 146 ungulates of 24 species (16 species of Bovidae, 4 — Cervidae, 4 — Camelidae) were examined by partial helminthological dissection; more than 402,700 specimens of helminths were collected and identified. The purpose of the present study was to summarize these data and analyze the species diversity in exotic ungulates. Totally, 38 species of helminths: 3 species of Trematoda, 6 — Cestoda, 29 — Nematoda were found. Ungulates from the family Bovidae were the most infected; they harbored 36 species of helminths, 1–18 species per host. In Camelidae, 15 species were found; 3–10 species per host. Cervidae harbored 9 species; 1–6 species per host. The highest species diversity was detected in the ungulates introduced from regions with climatic conditions similar to those in southern Ukraine: saiga antelope (19 species), European mouflon (18), Barbary sheep (18), and markhor (17). Ten species typical for domestic ruminants (Haemonchus contortus, Nematodirus sp., Aonchotheca bovis, Moniezia expansa, Oesophagostomum venulosum, Ostertagia circumcincta, Trichostrongylus axei, T. colubriformis, T. probolurus and Trichuris ovis) dominated in the parasite communities. Our results indicated reduction in the species diversity and alteration of the parasite community structures in these exotic ungulates kept in the Askania-Nova Reserve compared to their natural habitats.

Hunting and evolution: theory, evidence, and unknowns

Intense selective harvest of large mammals who carry the largest weapons may lead to an evolutionary shrinkage of those weapons. Currently, evidence suggesting evolutionary effects of harvest is limited to a few species of Bovidae and only 1 study has obtained data indicating a genetic effect. To have an evolutionary impact, harvest must be intense, persistent over time, similar over a large area without an effective source of unselected immigrants, and remove large individuals before they have a chance to breed. Many current harvest schemes do not fulfill all of these requirements, and they are unlikely to cause evolution. Before changes in weapon size over time are attributed to evolution, potential environmental sources of change, mainly density and climate, must be considered. We suggest that the role of weapon size in determining reproductive success, especially in interaction with male age, will determine whether or not intensive selective harvests may have evolutionary consequences. Age at harvest is a very important variable to consider. Changes in age structure over time may reveal underlying changes in harvest pressure or selectivity. A lack of data hampers our ability to assess the potential evolutionary effects of selective hunting. We provide a list of research hypotheses required to advance our ability to assess the evolutionary sustainability of current management practices.

Digestive Responses to Fortified Cow or Goat Dairy Drinks: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Fortified milk drinks are predominantly manufactured from bovine (cow) sources. Alternative formulations include those prepared with hydrolysed bovine milk proteins or from alternate bovidae species, such as caprine (goat) milk. Currently, there is little data on protein digestive and metabolic responses following ingestion of fortified milk drinks. To examine the digestive and metabolic responses to commercially-available fortified milks, young adults (n = 15 males: 15 females), in a randomised sequence, ingested isonitrogenous quantities of whole cow-protein (WC), whole goat-protein (WG), or partially-hydrolysed whey cow-protein (HC), commercial fortified milks. Plasma amino acid (AA) and hormonal responses were measured at baseline and again at 5 h after ingestion. Paracetamol recovery, breath hydrogen, and subjective digestive responses were also measured. Postprandial plasma AA was similar between WC and WG, while AA appearance was suppressed with HC. Following HC, there was a negative incremental AUC in plasma branched-chain AAs. Further, HC had delayed gastric emptying, increased transit time, and led to exaggerated insulin and GLP-1 responses, in comparison to whole protein formulas. Overall, WC and WG had similar protein and digestive responses with no differences in digestive comfort. Contrastingly, HC led to delayed gastric emptying, attenuated AA appearance, and a heightened circulating insulin response.

Occupancy and habitat use by six species of forest ungulates on Tiwai Island, Sierra Leone

Forest ungulates in West Africa are common bushmeat species and are subject to habitat degradation through deforestation. Based on historical data, there are possibly 12 species of forest Bovidae and Tragulidae found in eastern Sierra Leone. We used camera trapping to assess occupancy by forest ungulates on and around a small protected area, Tiwai Island, Sierra Leone. We then assessed habitat over two field seasons during 2008–2011 for those species where we had sufficient numbers of detections. We detected 6 of 12 potential species and obtained enough data to further assess the habitat of two species. Species detected included the black duiker (Cephalophus niger), bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus), bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus), Maxwell’s duiker (Philantomba maxwellii), water chevrotain (Hyemoschus aquaticus) and yellow-backed duiker (Cephalophus silvicultor). Among detected species, the bongo is considered near threatened. Several of the species not detected might be extirpated from the region, but for several species we found no records of them in the area. For the two species with sufficient detections for analysis, we found that Maxwell’s duikers were common throughout woody and swamp habitat and yellow-backed duikers preferred old growth forests with open understory. Despite widespread deforestation in Sierra Leone, a recent civil war and continued bushmeat trade, it appears that small wildlife refuges such as Tiwai Island continue to provide sanctuary for many of the forest ungulates of the region.Conservation implications: The Guinea Rainforest ecosystem of West Africa has undergone significant human impact and deforestation, negatively impacting all aspects of the biodiversity of the region. In addition, a long-standing civil war in Sierra Leone further exacerbated conservation concerns of many wildlife species. There are some recognised reserves in Sierra Leone, but small reserves managed by local people and conservation organisations have a role to play. Our work on Tiwai Island, along the Moa River in Sierra Leone, demonstrated that a significant proportion of the forest dwelling ungulate biodiversity of the region has been maintained in a small reserve despite isolation and effects of the war. Our work also suggests that Tiwai Island continues to have significant ecological value for ungulate conservation in the region and should be considered a model for establishment of other small reserves to help maintain the region’s biodiversity.

Diagnosis of pregnancy in Southern Lechwes (Kobus Leche) using a bovine assay for pregnancy-associated glycoprotein

Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000206 EndHTML:0000004229 StartFragment:0000002452 EndFragment:0000004193 SourceURL:file://localhost/Volumes/NO%20NAME/000/Article%20PAG%20cobes%20final%202.1%20BL-CP-TR.doc Pregnancy diagnosis is an important part in reproduction management of wild ruminants involved in free-ranging and captive programs. The pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) are a polymorphic family of placenta-expressed proteins, and released into maternal blood circulation where they can be assayed. These tests have been developed and validated in domestic species; PAGs have also been isolated in a few non domestic species of the Bovidae and Cervidae families. Assays have been used in many cervid species, but in very few wild Bovidae species,with high specificity. One hundred and twenty serum samples collected from 79 mature female Southern lechwes (Kobus leche) were tested using a commercial ELISA test (IDEXX Bovine Pregnancy Test Kit, IDEXX Europe BV, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands). Pregnancy was determined either at necropsy (n = 7), by transabdominal palpation in late pregnancy (n = 3), or by visualization of birth (n = 32). The other sera were controls from known non-pregnant females (n = 78). Following the range of use recommended by the manufacturer in domestic bovids, three false positive and two false negative results were identified; though this test gets the following values: sensitivity = 95.2%, specificity = 97.4%, positive predictive value = 95.2%, and negative predictive value = 97.4%. Using an ELISA validated in domestic species for the detection of PAGs appears to be a rapid, inexpensive and acurate test for pregnancy diagnosis in Southern lechwes. Nevertheless, more samples are needed to determine a better range of use of this test in this species.