MANAGEMENT OF LITTLE SIZE POPULATIONS OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS
cod. 1006220

Academic year 2016/17
2° year of course - First semester
Professor
Academic discipline
Zootecnica generale e miglioramento genetico (AGR/17)
Field
A scelta dello studente
Type of training activity
Student's choice
28 hours
of face-to-face activities
4 credits
hub: PARMA
course unit
in - - -

Learning objectives

The course aims to guide the student to learn the principles of management of populations with limited diffusion, indicating also the role in the economy of the territories.

Prerequisites

There are not limitations, however, useful concepts are provided during the course "General Animal Husbandry, Breeding, Biodiversity" (1st year, 2nd semester)

Course unit content

The course is not mandatory and is of new institution. It is aimed at students who wish to study issues relating to the management of animal populations with limited diffusion, of special interest, in recent years, due to a growing sensitivity towards sustainable production, biodiversity and typical productions. The course aims to address issues of management from a scientific point of view, using first a theoretical approach to the problem and then informatic tools that can operate on real databases.

Full programme

1. Brief references to concepts of quantitative genetics (selection, genetic progress, impact of selection on genetic variability, generation interval, inbreeding and crossing).
2. Meaning of "Biodiversity" in domestic animal populations. Local production of typical brands, stud books, genealogical registers and regulations governing animal reproduction in Italy.
3. Breeds with limited diffusion in bovine, sheep, goats, swine and equine in Italy.
4. The levels of risk of extinction based on the number of breeders in the domestic animal populations.
5. Size of populations and inbreeding.
6. Genetic drift.
7. The effective number of a population.
8. Genetic management of small populations and conservation strategies (maximizing the ratio Ne / N; minimization of the relationship between breeders; minimization relationship at coupling; modification of the interval of generation, selection).
9. Examples of management of animal populations with limited diffusion.
10. Use of software for the management of animal populations with limited diffusion.

Bibliography

Pagnacco G. (2016): GENETICA ANIMALE Applicazioni zootecniche e veterinarie, Casa editrice Ambrosiana, MI.
Bordonaro, S. (2011) Le filiere zootecniche e la valorizzazione delle risorse genetiche zootecniche. In http://www.anisn.it/workgroup/Progetto%20Biodiversita/materiali%20didattici%20secondo%20ciclo_2011/CATANIA_21MARZO2011/Filiere%20zootecniche/Lait.pdf.

Teaching methods

Lectures and PC sessions for the use of specific programs.

Assessment methods and criteria

At the end of the course it will be evaluated the suitability through a simulation on a database, for which the arrangements for safeguarding in relation to specific characteristics of the same will be discussed .

Other information

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