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20172
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Subject: Livestock Production and Management × Author: BIJU S. × Start date: 2000 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    CONSERVATION ECOLOGY BASED ON PARASITE-NUTRIENT-SEASONAL INTERACTIONS IN NILGIRI TAHR (Nilgiritragus hylocrius)
    (COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES MANNUTHY, THRISSUR, 2017-12-30) BIJU S.; P. C. Saseendran
    The study was conducted to evolve suitable strategies for the conservation of the endangered Nilgiri tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius Ogilby, 1838) by investigating the primary interaction of the species with its parasites, forages and the season. The three habitats of Eravikulam, Nelliampathi and Kochupamba were selected and the study was conducted in the three seasons of summer, monsoon and post-monsoon. The indicators selected were incidence of parasitism, the degree of parasitic infection, the nutrient composition of forage, health status of the herd, stress level of animals, habitat features, herd structure and the general behavior of the herd. The indices in this regard were examined and recorded across the seasons. The herd size recorded ranged from 12 in Kochupamba to 36 in Eravikulam with adult females comprising nearly half of the herd. The habitats were typically of grass lands with short grasses adjacent to rocky cliffs. The activity budget was recorded to assess the behavior of the animals and it revealed grazing (37.4%) and resting (23.3%) as the prominent activity in tahr with very low share of browsing (0.8%) in the species. The activity budget also observed minor shifts between seasons, habitats and in age-sex class. The predominant grass species in each habitat were identified and the nutrient composition of the grasses was analysed showing significant difference between seasons in dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, total ash and nitrogen free extract. The body condition score (BCS) of all the animals ranged from three to five indicating the herds to be healthy across all seasons. There were no reports of disease or mortality in the animals in the study period. A total parasitic incidence of 38.9 per cent was observed and the degree of infection was assessed to be mild as indicated by the eggs per gram (EPG) below 1000 in the observed data. Strongyles and coccidia were the major parasites with 34.3 per cent and 15.5 per cent incidence respectively and the other parasites recorded were Moniezia, Trichuris, Capillaria, and Strongyloides. There was significant difference in parasitic incidence between habitats and seasons, with higher share in monsoon (58.9%) followed by summer (40%) and post-monsoon (17.8%). Eggs per gram also observed significant seasonal difference with higher count in monsoon (360.64) followed by post-monsoon (232.81) and summer (114.29). The faecal cortisol metabolite level estimated by enzyme immunoassay was significantly different between habitats, with Eravikulam recording a higher mean value of 472.17 ng/g, and the difference was non-significant between seasons. Significantly higher faecal cortisol metabolite was observed in parasite infected animals compared to non-infected animals. The study identified the significant presence of parasites in tahr population, indicating the dynamism and balance in equilibrium of host-parasite relationship which is a major driver in the organization of the ecosystem. The energy flow dynamics across seasons and habitats significantly influence the interrelationship of the host and parasite.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    CONSERVATION ECOLOGY BASED ON PARASITE-NUTRIENT-SEASONAL INTERACTIONS IN NILGIRI TAHR (Nilgiritragus hylocrius)
    (COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES-MANNUTHY,THRISSUR, 2017) BIJU S.; Dr. P. C. Saseendran
    ABSTRACT The study was conducted to evolve suitable strategies for the conservation of the endangered Nilgiri tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius Ogilby, 1838) by investigating the primary interaction of the species with its parasites, forages and the season. The three habitats of Eravikulam, Nelliampathi and Kochupamba were selected and the study was conducted in the three seasons of summer, monsoon and post-monsoon. The indicators selected were incidence of parasitism, the degree of parasitic infection, the nutrient composition of forage, health status of the herd, stress level of animals, habitat features, herd structure and the general behavior of the herd. The indices in this regard were examined and recorded across the seasons. The herd size recorded ranged from 12 in Kochupamba to 36 in Eravikulam with adult females comprising nearly half of the herd. The habitats were typically of grass lands with short grasses adjacent to rocky cliffs. The activity budget was recorded to assess the behavior of the animals and it revealed grazing (37.4%) and resting (23.3%) as the prominent activity in tahr with very low share of browsing (0.8%) in the species. The activity budget also observed minor shifts between seasons, habitats and in age-sex class. The predominant grass species in each habitat were identified and the nutrient composition of the grasses was analysed showing significant difference between seasons in dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, total ash and nitrogen free extract. The body condition score (BCS) of all the animals ranged from three to five indicating the herds to be healthy across all seasons. There were no reports of disease or mortality in the animals in the study period. A total parasitic incidence of 38.9 per cent was observed and the degree of infection was assessed to be mild as indicated by the eggs per gram (EPG) below 1000 in the observed data. Strongyles and coccidia were the major parasites with 34.3 per cent and 15.5 per cent incidence respectively and the other parasites recorded were Moniezia, Trichuris, Capillaria, and Strongyloides. There was significant difference in parasitic incidence between habitats and seasons, with higher share in monsoon (58.9%) followed by summer (40%) and post-monsoon (17.8%). Eggs per gram also observed significant seasonal difference with higher count in monsoon (360.64) followed by post-monsoon (232.81) and summer (114.29). The faecal cortisol metabolite level estimated by enzyme immunoassay was significantly different between habitats, with Eravikulam recording a higher mean value of 472.17 ng/g, and the difference was non-significant between seasons. Significantly higher faecal cortisol metabolite was observed in parasite infected animals compared to non-infected animals. The study identified the significant presence of parasites in tahr population, indicating the dynamism and balance in equilibrium of host-parasite relationship which is a major driver in the organization of the ecosystem. The energy flow dynamics across seasons and habitats significantly influence the interrelationship of the host and parasite.