Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR) Diversity in India

Abstract

The history of farm Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR) is about 12 to 14 thousand years old; started with the domestication of the animals for companion, food, fur and hide purposes. Among 40 non-carnivores livestock species domesticated by human being, till date, only cattle, sheep, goat, pig and chicken are highly prevalent and known as ‘Big five’. Other species like buffalo, dromedaries and Bactrian camel, llama, alpaca, yak, and mithun are region specific. At present, about one-fifth of the global food is of animal origin in the world. A vast genetic diversity of AnGR has been generated during hundreds of years through culmination of various evolutionary forces, including intensive selection and preferred mating by human for various utilization purposes. Initial domestication modulated the wild ancestors to adapt to human habitation and making themselves more useful for the human being. Migration of animals by humans across the continents further disseminated the germplasm, initiating the diversification of the farm animals across the globe. However, artificial selection for different needs and likings by the human is the chief element for development of large-scale genetic diversity, in form of distinct breeds and populations. These breeds as well as specialized populations have been evolved for a specific need or utilization pattern like milk, draft, meat, fibre, carting, riding etc. Today, the world possesses more than eight thousand livestock and poultry breeds, evolved from only few founder populations and catering various needs of human society around the world. As per Global data bank on Animal Genetic Resources of FAO, a total of 8774 breeds of 38 species were reported, worldwide (data from 182 countries) in 2014. Among these, 7718 are local breeds (in one country) and 510 are regional transboundary breeds (in one region) and 546 are international transboundary breeds (in more than one region).