Articles tagged with Animal Breeding
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Researchers developed a new suite of statistical methods to pinpoint DNA changes responsible for important traits in livestock. The work addresses challenges in fine-mapping, especially in populations with closely related animals, and introduces tools that incorporate 'relatedness-adjusted' genomic correlations.
A meta-analysis of scientific literature reveals that pathogens are the primary driver of mass mortality events in sea urchins, with 33% of events attributed to them. Storms and extreme temperatures also play a significant role, with 25% and 24% of events respectively.
Researchers found that human selection and environmental changes led to a synchronous evolution of domestic and wild animal body sizes over the past 7,000 years. However, in recent centuries, human impact has intensified, causing wild species to shrink while domestic animals have grown larger.
Scientists at Cornell University and Washington University found that selective breeding of domesticated cat and dog breeds has led to remarkable similarities in skull shape, including brachycephalic breeds. This phenomenon, known as convergence, has occurred within each species and between them, with flat faces and tilted muzzles.
A study found that UK dog populations decreased by 0.9% annually from 1990 to 2021, with a rise in crossbreed and imported dogs. The research highlights concerns about inherited diseases due to limited genetic diversity in pedigree breeds.
Researchers found the UBeeO test can identify colonies resistant to several pests and pathogens that can decimate bee populations. The test mimics the pheromones emitted by sick or dying bees, allowing for a more selective and realistic assessment of hygienic behavior in honey bees.
Selective breeding by humans led to significant changes in pig skulls, with snouts becoming shorter and flatter, in just a century. The study also found that even separate breeds of domestic pigs underwent similar changes, highlighting the power of human influence on animal evolution.
Researchers discovered a single gene, vgll3, regulating thousands of genes in salmon sexual maturation, influencing traits like reproductive cell development and growth patterns. This study sheds light on how genetic variation can impact complex traits like puberty onset and has significant implications for managing wild populations.
Researchers at Texas A&M have made breakthroughs in understanding the Y chromosome in horses, enabling tracing of paternal lineages for breeding and conservation purposes. This discovery will help identify optimal lineages for breeding and preserve breed diversity.
Researchers at Uppsala University developed a mathematical model to understand how seabird species coexist on isolated islands. The model shows that different species use distinct fishing zones, maximizing energy intake based on traits like wing length and diving depth.
A new study found that artificial nests outperform natural nests in boosting African penguin breeding success by 16.5%, but each type of nest has strengths and weaknesses. Colony-specific conservation strategies are needed to address the unique threats faced by each colony.
New research using satellite technology tracks the movement of albatrosses and petrels, finding that they use sea ice-affected parts of the ocean for feeding and scavenging. The study suggests that Antarctica's shrinking sea ice could force seabirds to travel further or alter their food patterns, affecting ecosystems.
Researchers at Hiroshima University have identified genetic signatures of domestication in pigs and chickens, revealing changes in gene expression related to immune response, stress response, and energy metabolism. These findings provide insights into the genetic basis of domestication and highlight potential candidate genes for breedi...
Researchers studied the impact of Cyclone Ilsa on seabird populations on Bedout Island, finding that at least 80% of birds were killed. The study highlights the potential for climate change to have deadly consequences for seabirds, which transport nutrients from the sea to land via their guano.
Researchers found that domestic horses were produced in large numbers around 4200 years ago, marking the start of a new era in human history. This led to unprecedented exchanges and interactions among diverse cultures across Eurasia.
A slow-growth diet for female pigs before breeding improved their long-range health, leading to increased litter sizes and healthier piglets. The study showed that sows fed a low-nutrient diet during development lost less weight during lactation and had better body condition.
A new study reveals how the Ukraine war affected migratory eagles' behavior, with altered routes, reduced refuelling sites usage, and longer migration times. Researchers found that the conflict events exposed the birds to artillery fire, soldiers, and displaced civilians.
The review highlights the transformative impact of gene-based breeding on improving crop and livestock genetics, enabling molecular precision agriculture and medical science. GBB has been instrumental in enhancing fiber length and grain yield in cotton and maize, achieving high prediction accuracy and reliability.
A Curtin University study found that breeding less-flatulent cows and restoring agricultural land can significantly reduce methane emissions from Australia's beef and dairy sectors. Researchers identified several strategies to lower emissions, including altering breeding objectives and improving wastewater management.
A new study reveals that disease-resistant fish exhibit lower viral loads and higher survival rates compared to susceptible counterparts. The results demonstrate the benefits of breeding resistant animals for sustainable food production and animal welfare.
A study found that when adult male blue tits were absent, young males had higher success rates in fathering offspring outside of their breeding pair. Young males' poor performance was due to competition with older males, not lack of experience. In the absence of adult males, 33% of young males fathered at least one extra-pair offspring.
Climate change is impacting Common Loons through reduced water clarity, making it difficult for adults to find prey, leading to low chick weight and higher mortality rates. The study's findings suggest that heavy rainfall in July negatively affects water clarity, posing challenges for adult loons feeding their offspring.
Female whales of certain species experience menopause, living up to 40 years longer than their peers by prioritizing family care over breeding. This unique trait allows them to support their offspring and grandchildren without overlap with their daughters' reproductive cycles.
Texas A&M researchers are studying reproductive abnormalities that cause sterility in horses, including underdeveloped reproductive organs and intersex individuals. The study aims to provide vital information for diagnosing these abnormalities and improving horse care.
Research reveals humpback whales shift their daily singing patterns away from shore, returning to nearshore in the evening to minimize interference. This dynamic behavior may help increase the efficiency of their acoustic display.
Researchers have documented cannibalism in the mainland dusky antechinus during its breeding period. The behavior is linked to stress-induced death and provides an opportunity for energy gain via eating dead males or females of other species.
A team of animal scientists has developed a new breed of cow that can produce up to 20 times the milk of indigenous breeds, offering a potential game changer for subsistence farmers in Tanzania. The breeding process combines the heat and disease resistance of Gyrs with the milk-producing prowess of Holsteins and Jerseys.
Research by Hokkaido University's Masayo Soma found that Java sparrows show increased swelling in their eye rings when paired with a preferred mate. This change serves as a rapid indicator of mating readiness and plays a crucial role in communication between pair-bonded birds.
Under warming temperatures, lizards may skip over potential mates to quickly choose a partner. Researchers found this behavior in a social lizard species due to environmental changes.
Researchers at the University of São Paulo's Institute of Biosciences successfully developed blastoids from bovine pluripotent stem cells, creating an accessible in vitro model for studying embryogenesis. This breakthrough could lead to improved farm animal reproduction and enable breeding cattle with desirable characteristics.
A new study found that birds produce fewer young if they start breeding too early or late in the season, with climate change resulting in earlier springlike weather. The researchers report that birds have been unable to keep pace with the changes, leading to a mismatch between the start of spring and birds' readiness to reproduce.
Researchers found that precise repetition of song notes is key to attracting a female mate, while changing songs prevents habituation. A balance between consistency and diversity in birdsong may resolve the paradox of variability in singing styles.
Researchers discovered evidence of scarlet macaw breeding in Old Town, New Mexico, dating back to the early 1100s. The findings suggest that macaw breeding was occurring north of its known range and may shed light on the practice of breeding and keeping these birds in the Americas.
A recent study found significant differences in the gut microbiome of female southern white rhinos that reproduced successfully versus those that did not. The researchers identified a particular genus of microbes that may be limiting reproductive success in captive breeding programs.
Researchers found that piglets born to stressed sows in concrete stalls showed epigenetic changes in brain regions related to emotion, learning, and memory. The study highlights the importance of animal welfare and suggests that even small improvements can have significant effects.
Researchers identified two clear groups of young horses with distinct reactions to a sudden novel object. The first group exhibited a spike in heart rate and hyper-alert behavior, while the second group calmed quickly after the stimulus. Understanding these genetic components can help match horses with suitable owners and training for ...
Achieving a high fertility cycle in dairy herds involves implementing reproductive management programs, maintaining optimal body condition scores (BCS), and ensuring timely pregnancies. By calving cows at lower BCS between 2.75 and 3.0, dairy farms can reduce health issues and increase fertility rates.
Researchers found that humpback whales have a unique response to wind noise, singing louder in noisy conditions. In contrast, they do not exhibit an increased reaction to vessel noise from boats. This finding has implications for understanding whale behavior and potential consequences for breeding practices.
Conclusive evidence of chicken breeding in the Yayoi period of Japan has been discovered at the Karako-Kagi site. The study found that chickens were bred in the area during the middle Yayoi period, around 381-204 BCE, providing clear evidence that breeding occurred on the Japanese archipelago.
The study reveals that the African penguin's geographical range has shrunk significantly over the past 22,000 years due to rising sea levels, leaving only a few small islands as suitable nesting habitats. This decline has been exacerbated by human pressures such as climate change, habitat destruction, and competition for food.
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered that female giant African pouched rats can undergo 'unusual' reproductive organ transformations. The study, published in Current Biology, explores how traits once considered fixed in adult animals may become variable under specific pressures.
The National Cooperative Dairy Herd Improvement Program has successfully collected herd production data for 100 years, providing crucial input for cattle breeding and genetics. The program's cooperative structure, data interoperability, and governance model make it a unique example of how data collection benefits producers.
The Cinereous Vulture has been reintroduced to Bulgaria after being extinct for 36 years. The successful re-introduction campaign, led by Green Balkans and other organizations, involved importing 72 birds from Spain and European zoos. The team recommends the aviary method and delayed release for establishing a new core population, and ...
A new study reveals that whooper swans thrive in UK nature reserves, with survival rates significantly higher and population growth up to 6% annually. This could lead to a doubling of the species' wintering population in the UK by 2030.
Researchers found zero skua nests and almost zero Antarctic petrel and snow petrel nests in regions with significantly higher snowfall than previous years. Extreme snowstorms interfere with the birds' ability to breed, causing tens of thousands of chicks and eggs to die.
Researchers from Kumamoto University found that synchronizing ovulation and mating in
A study published in Current Biology reports that Arctic geese have formed a new migration route and breeding area in response to climate change. The population has grown rapidly due to successful breeding, high survival rates, and social learning, with over 4,000 individuals now inhabiting the new location.
Daurian redstarts move their nests closer to human settlements when cuckoos are around to protect against brood parasitism. This strategy has been observed in a population of Daurian redstarts in northeastern China, illustrating how urbanization affects interspecific interactions.
The European Northern Bald Ibis population is well on its way to self-sustainability, thanks to a successful reintroduction project that began over 20 years ago. With good survival and reproduction rates, the population has demonstrated positive future survival probabilities, even in the face of catastrophes.
A new study found that killer whale mothers pay a high price for raising their sons, with each living son cutting their annual breeding likelihood in half. This lifelong burden on mothers has significant implications for the future viability of the southern resident killer whale population, which is critically endangered.
A predictive model developed by University of Groningen researchers can identify cows at risk of dystocia before insemination. The model, which uses machine learning on a large dataset, suggests that it could roughly halve the risk of calving problems.
Researchers at Osaka University have successfully induced precursors of eggs and sperm in white rhinoceros cells, paving the way to possibly rebuilding northern white rhino populations. This breakthrough uses advanced assisted reproductive technologies to address a key challenge in conservation efforts.
A new study synthesizes years of research on monarch habitat, finding that establishing habitat near crop fields with insecticide use will support breeding generations and increase population growth. The study suggests a 100-125 feet buffer is essential to add conservable land.
A study by the University of Exeter found that 74% of green turtles foraging in Cyprus feed at Lake Bardawil, an Egyptian lagoon. The number of turtle nests has increased almost tripled since the early 1990s, but their dependence on this single location leaves them vulnerable to changes in conditions.
Research from the University of Oxford and Yellowstone National Park found that wolves with black coats are more likely to survive canine distemper virus (CDV) outbreaks. This suggests that the gene for a black coat may provide protection against the virus, leading to its increased frequency in areas with CDV outbreaks.
A 20-year study found that selectively bred rainbow trout need less feed to achieve the same growth, reducing environmental impact. The fish also achieved similar nutritional quality when fed a locally produced, soy-free feed.
This study reveals genetic insights into artificial selection and ecological adaptation in silkworms, identifying 468 domestication-associated genes and 198 improvement-associated genes. The pangenome dataset also sheds light on the origins of domesticated silkworms and their economic traits.
A study published in the Journal of Dairy Science found that feeding behavior traits are correlated with feed efficiency in lactating dairy cattle. Researchers estimated genetic parameters for feeding behavior and their associations with feed efficiency traits in US Holstein cows.
Researchers found two distinct populations of the invasive American bullfrog in Brazil, one descended from 1935 introductions and another from the 1970s. The study highlights the need for law enforcement to prevent escape from frog farms.
Researchers find that cooperative breeding in animal societies increases survival chances of carers, leading to higher reproductive success. The study also reveals the relative importance of kin selection and individual selection varies depending on environmental conditions.