Morphometric indices of native sheep breeds of the Himalayan region of India using multivariate principal component analysis

This study was performed to analyze the morphometric traits and indices in 3000 animals of five registered sheep breeds in the Himalayan region under a multivariate approach. Data were recorded under field conditions with equal coverage of the five breeds, viz., Karnah, Gurez, Poonchi, Bakerwal and Changthangi on body length (BL), height at withers (HW), chest girth (CG), ear length (EL), and tail length (TL). Furthermore, four derived traits (indices) were studied, which included an index of body frame (IBF), an index of thorax development (ITD), a Baron-Crevat index (BCI), and an index of body weight (IBW). Multivariate principal component analysis (PCA) was undertaken on nine morphometric traits. Kaiser's criterion was used to reduce the number of principal components for further analysis and interpretation. The adequacy of sampling was evaluated using Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) test and Bartlett's test of sphericity. The mean BL ranged from 52.15 (Changthangi) to 71.13 (Gurez). The estimates of HW, CG, EL and TL were highest in Gurez (63.49), Bakerwal (84.82), Bakerwal (7.26), and Karnah (8.18) breeds, respectively. Among the derived traits, the highest IBF was observed in the Gurez breed with an estimate of 112.22. Upon multivariate PCA on the dataset, the first four principal components were able to explain 92.117% of the total variance. The KMO test, Bartlett's test of sphericity and estimated communalities showed the appropriateness of PCA on the evaluated traits. Four eigenvalues were greater than one and were extracted for further analysis. Morphometric traits were highly correlated, except for EL and TL that showed lower correlation estimates with other traits. The Changthangi population showed the lowest estimates of BL, HW, CG and rectangular body frame. The present study ascertained important morphometric traits/indices that can help in developing selection criteria and formulating sustainable breeding and conservation plans vis-à-vis the unique sheep breeds of the temperate Himalayas.

Seasonal variation in biochemical responses of bamboo clones in the sub-tropical climate of Indian Himalayan foothills

Seasonal variations affect the rate of biomass accumulation in plants which is internally governed by biochemical metabolites. Studying the impact of atmospheric seasonal changes on biochemical parameters can improve our understanding of various plant species' physiological plasticity. Bamboos are a fast-growing group of woody grass species, widely distributed across tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world, and are an important species of the Indian subcontinent. Nevertheless, limited information is available on the seasonal response of biochemical's in bamboo species growing in ambient atmospheric circumstances. Therefore, we investigated the seasonal biochemical responses of Dendrocalamus strictus clones viz. Pantnagar (PNT) and Dhampur (DHM) to seasonal ambient atmospheric conditions. The concentrations of chlorophyll, protein, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium in bamboo leaves were increased significantly (p < 0.025) in monsoon compared to summer and winter seasons. Carotenoid, total sugar and ascorbic acid contents were highest during winters and reduced significantly during monsoon. Proline content was highest in summer and reduced by 97% during monsoon, indicating effective adaptation to both clones' water-limited conditions. It was inferred that seasonal variation in atmospheric conditions significantly influenced the biochemical constituents of plants. This study provides a biochemical approach for screening potential bamboo species with adaptive nature for plantation purposes intended to mitigate climate change.

Application of remote sensing in alpine grasslands cover mapping of western Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India

Grasslands are the world's most extensive terrestrial ecosystem, which provides a variety of services for humans, such as carbon storage, food production, crop pollination, pest regulation, and are a major feed source for livestock. However, grasslands are today one of the most endangered ecosystems due to land-use change, agricultural intensification, land abandonment, as well as climate change. Grasslands are an integral part of human societies across the globe, which are broadly known as tropical savannah and temperate grasslands. In the Himalayan region, grasslands are found in more than 55% of the area and different climatic conditions lead to different varieties of grasslands like Danthonia grasslands, kobresia sedge meadow, etc. Grasslands deal with the spatial and temporal distribution of heterogeneous landscapes, which support a high diversity of various species. Owing to very rugged terrain and inaccessibility, the information on the extent of alpine grassland and percent grass cover (%) across the meadows is limited. Therefore, the present attempt was made to assess the current status of grassland in the alpine region of Uttarakhand above 3000 m asl. LANDSAT-8 (OLI and TIRS sensors) satellite data were used to delineate the grasslands using normalized difference vegetation indices (NDVIs) of the alpine region with the help of over 179 ground truth points out of which 50 points are testing points and 129 points are training points. Grass covers (%) were also assessed in the whole alpine region of Western Himalaya of Uttarakhand which nearly consists of over 75 meadows by using random plots (1 × 1 m, total 10 per site) in each meadow. Overall, 89.52% accuracy was achieved based on 50 randomly selected testing points. A total of 4949.25 sq. km area is under the different percentage of grass cover in the alpine region of Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya. Danthonia grasslands below 4000 m and Kobresia sedge meadows above 4000 m elevation are dominant in the state. In the alpine region, over 1056 sq. km grassland area have less than 10% grass cover indicating higher degraded and cold desert areas and only 565.69 sq. km area have more than 60% grass cover, which is highly favorable for rich biodiversity and grazing.

Diversity in Puccinia striiformis populations causing the 2013 yellow rust epidemics on major wheat cultivars of Pakistan

Wheat yellow/stripe rust pathogen Puccinia striiformis is highly diverse and recombinant in the north of Pakistan in the Himalayan region. However, little is known about the role of this diversity in disease epidemics in areas where wheat yellow rust is an important disease in both irrigated and rain-fed wheat (i.e., in the plains of Pakistan). We explored the population diversity in P. striiformis during the rust epidemics of 2013 in the major wheat-growing regions of Pakistan (the Himalayan region, central Khyber Pakhtunkhwa [KP], southern KP, central and northern Punjab). Disease severities among commonly grown cultivars ranged from 5% to 100%. Microsatellite genotyping with 16 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers revealed a high diversity among 266 isolates collected during the season, with the Simpson diversity index (Simpson 1949) ranging from 0.870 (Himalayan) to 0.955 (southern KP). The recombination signature was stronger in the Himalayan population and central KP compared with wheat-growing regions of Punjab and southern KP. The overall diversity was higher in Pakistan relative to the clonal populations present in Europe, Australia, and the Americas. Analyses of population subdivision revealed no clear evidence of spatial structure for samples from Pakistan, with a maximum fixation index (F_ST) value of only 0.10. The lack of clear population subdivision could be attributed to migration of pathogen. In turn, the high diversity of P. striiformis in Pakistan represents a potential threat to wheat production in the region and worldwide, as a possible source to found clonal populations in diverse wheat-growing areas.

Preparedness for malaria elimination in the wake of climate change in the State of Uttarakhand (India)

Background & objectives

Climate change is an emerging issue particularly in the context of vector-borne diseases. A study was undertaken in Nainital and Almora districts of Uttarakhand to provide evidences of changing climatic conditions, abundance of vectors, and knocking of malaria in hilly areas.

Material and methods

Longitudinal data on temperature and relative humidity were procured from Tussar Silk Centre, Bhimtal, India as well as generated using HOBO device. Monthly density of malaria vectors, their positivity for sporozoite proteins of malaria parasite and fever surveys were conducted as per the standard procedures from 2010 to 2013. Epidemiological data were procured from the State Programme Officer of Uttarakhand state.

Results

It was found that the temperature has increased since 1990 resulting in extension in windows of malaria transmission, temporal distribution as well as man hour density of Anopheles culicifacies and An. fluviatilis in hilly districts of Uttarakhand state. Both the vectors were found in high density up to a maximum man hour density of 110 (An. culicifacies) and 69 (An. fluviatilis) as compared to 32 and 33, respectively during 1998. The field collected vector species were also found positive for sporozoite proteins of malaria parasites in the month of October and November. Evidence of occurrence of malaria cases was also found in areas hitherto free from malaria.

Interpretation & conclusion

The findings reveal that Himalayan region needs attention to strengthen surveillance for malaria to identify emerging new foci of malaria transmission in view of climate change. Health education to communities about preventive measures to contain breeding of vectors and seeking timely treatment should be imparted so as to achieve the goal of malaria elimination in category-1 in the first instance.

Synthetic pyrethroid resistance in Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus ticks from north-western Himalayas, India

In the present study, adult immersion test (AIT) was used for evaluation of resistance against synthetic pyrethroids (deltamethrin and cypermethrin) in Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus ticks collected from nine districts of three agro-climatic zones of north-western Himalayan region of India. Resistance factors (RFs) were calculated between 0.94 to 50.71 for deltamethrin and 0.32 to 13.18 for cypermethrin. Resistance to deltamethrin was detected at level I in two, level II in four, level III and level IV in one isolate each while one isolate was susceptible. Against cypermethrin, resistance at levels I and II was detected in three isolates each while three isolates were found susceptible. The low altitude sub-tropical zone revealed higher density of resistant ticks where intensive animal husbandry practices were followed and the synthetic pyrethroid usage was common. Data generated on pyrethroid resistance status of ticks in north-western Himalayan region will provide new insights in acaricidal resistance particularly from remote areas of this region and will help in formulating suitable control measures.

Visceral leishmaniasis from a non-endemic Himalayan region of Nepal

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is endemic to the southern plains of Nepal. Here, we report the first case of VL from a non-endemic Himalayan region of Nepal. The patient presented with a history of high-grade fever, splenomegaly, and anemia but had not traveled to a VL-endemic region. Visceral leishmaniasis was diagnosed following microscopic detection of the Leishmania species amastigote in a bone marrow aspirate, positive result for the rK39 test, and further validation by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The patient was treated with 5 mg/kg liposomal amphotericin B and was clinically improved upon discharge. Our result suggests that VL is expanding towards non-endemic regions of Nepal, and it should therefore be considered that VL surveillance systems be strengthened, particularly for non-program districts and VL be included as a differential diagnosis in febrile illnesses.

The diversity of gendered adaptation strategies to climate change of Indian farmers: A feminist intersectional approach

This paper examines climate change adaptation and gender issues through an application of a feminist intersectional approach. This approach permits the identification of diverse adaptation responses arising from the existence of multiple and fragmented dimensions of identity (including gender) that intersect with power relations to shape situation-specific interactions between farmers and ecosystems. Based on results from contrasting research cases in Bihar and Uttarakhand, India, this paper demonstrates, inter alia, that there are geographically determined gendered preferences and adoption strategies regarding adaptation options and that these are influenced by the socio-ecological context and institutional dynamics. Intersecting identities, such as caste, wealth, age and gender, influence decisions and reveal power dynamics and negotiation within the household and the community, as well as barriers to adaptation among groups. Overall, the findings suggest that a feminist intersectional approach does appear to be useful and worth further exploration in the context of climate change adaptation. In particular, future research could benefit from more emphasis on a nuanced analysis of the intra-gender differences that shape adaptive capacity to climate change.

Ethnobotanical survey of medicinally important shrubs and trees of Himalayan region of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Present study was commenced with an aim to document the indigenous knowledge of medicinally important shrubs and trees of Himalayan region of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. This is the first contribution to the quantitative ethnobotany of this region, as no reported data focusing on shrubs and trees from the area have been published. Study reported the ethnobotanical significance of medicinal plants for the treatment of various diseases.

METHOD

Study was conducted during 2012-2014 following standard ethnobotanical methods. The ethnomedicinal data was collected through informed consent semi- structured interviews of 160 key informants. Documented data was analyzed by using quantitative indices of informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL), use value (UV) and relative frequency citation (RFC).

RESULTS

A total of 73 shrub and tree species belonging to 56 genera and 37 families were reported to be used ethnomedicinally for the treatment of various ailments. Medicinal plant diversity showed that Rosaceae was dominating family with (9 spp.) followed by Moraceae (7 spp.), Euphorbiaceae, Mimosaceae, Pinaceae, Rhamnaceae (4 spp. each), Oleaceae (3 spp.), Apocynaceae, Caesalpinaceae, Ebenaceae, Fagaceae, Lythraceae, Papilionaceae, Acanthaceae, Verbenaceae (2 spp. each) while remaining 22 families were represented by one species each. Leaves (23%) were highly utilized plant parts, followed by fruits (22%), bark (18%), seeds (10%), roots (9%), flowers (8%), whole plant and aerial parts (4% each) and stem (2%). Modes of preparation fall into 14 categories including powder (33 reports) followed by decoction (29 reports), paste (22 reports), juice (18 reports), infusion (12 reports), raw (8 reports), extract and latex (5 reports each), gum and oil (4 reports each), fresh part and pulp (2 reports each), chewed and cooked (1 report each). The highest FIC was recorded for Gastro-intestinal disorders (0.58) followed by nail, skin and hair disorders (0.44). Maximum fidelity level (FL=100%) was expressed by Abies pindrow, Adhatoda vasica, Bauhinia variegata and Cedrela serrata. Based on use value Juglans regia (0.88) was found most significant species followed by Acacia nilotica (0.83), Phyllanthus emblica (0.81), Pinus roxburghii (0.75) and Punica granatum (0.71).

CONCLUSION

The area has a rich diversity of medicinally important shrub and tree species. The tradition of using plants for medicinal purposes is still alive in the local community but recently this tradition is gradually declining in new generation. Therefore awareness is needed to be raised among the local people on sustainable use and conservation of local flora.

Collected from different himalayan regions of India assessed by random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis

Present study was aimed at molecular genetic fingerprint profile of 15 genotypes of three populations of Pinus roxburghii Sarg. from Himalayan regions of India using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) based markers. Needles of Pinus roxburghii Sarg. were collected from Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh (HP), Nainital, Uttarakhand (UK) and Darjeeling, West Bengal (WB) regions of India. The samples were subjected to DNA extraction and RAPD analysis using oligonucleotide purification cartridge (OPC) primers. Out of 15 primers tested, nine primers gave scorable bands. Altogether 48 bands were obtained, out of which 43 were found to be polymorphic. Number of amplified fragments with RAPD primers ranged from four to eight with the size of amplicon ranging from 500 to 7,000bp. Investigation of natural diversity at intraspecies level was performed with 15 genotypes. Forty-eight amplification products were scored by RAPD and showed 89.58% polymorphism with a mean intrapopulation genetic diversity (Hpop) of 0.2754. A significant inter- and intrapopulation diversity was observed, with the percentage of polymorphic loci (Pp) ranging from 50.09 to 70.83%, Shannon's information index (I) from 0.3262 to 0.4689 and Nei's gene diversity (h) from 0.2032 to 0.3335 with mean Nei's gene diversity 0.377 and the overall estimate of gene flow being (Nm) 1.3555. Unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA) analysis based Dendrogram showed single cluster. The variation amongst the samples of the three ecological regions can be attributed to varied climatic conditions and may help in conservation/future cultivation of these species.