Aim:Partial fragment of D-loop region extending from 35 to 770 were compared with corresponding sequences of 16 wild pigs and 9 domestic pig breeds from different parts of the world for detection of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers in the region. The paper also reappraises SNP markers from two fragments of cytochrome b gene and a fragment 12S rRNA gene distinguishing the Indian wild pig from other pig species of the world.Materials and Methods:Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was isolated from 14 and 12 tissue samples of Indian wild and domestic pigs, respectively, collected from Central India for characterization of the D-loop DNA sequences using universal primers. The sequences obtained were aligned along with the retrieved sequences to analyze species-specific SNP marker.Results:A total of 58 mitochondrial D-loop gene sequences of pig races were aligned to identify 1349 polymorphic sites in the fragment from nucleotide positions 35-770 bp and four SNP markers were identified to differentiate Indian wild pig from all the sequences investigated in this study. With the inclusion of cytochrome b gene and 12S rRNA gene fragments, the present study contributes to the total 15 SNP markers, which have been identified in the mitochondrial fragment of 1936 bp for identification of Indian wild pig.Conclusion:SNP markers have advantages over other marker types and do not require subsequent standardization to compare data across studies or laboratories.

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2016) Complete mitochondrial genome sequencing of central Indian domestic pig, Mitochondrial DNA Part B, 1:1, 949-950, ABSTRACT Domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) is one of the important farm animal contributing 7% of the country's total animal protein sources in India. In the present study, random hexamer primer was used to amplify the complete mitochondrial genome of Central Indian domestic pig and resolved the complete mitochondrial sequence by shotgun sequencing followed by de novo assembly in MIRA version 4.0.5. The sequence assembly revealed to be 15,827 bp mitogenome of pig (accession no. KT965278). The mitogenome in the present study has 99% homology with previously reported mitogenome of pigs from different parts of the world. The present study is the first report of complete sequence of mitogenome of pig from Indian subcontinent. Mitogenome analysis by MITOS web server revealed similarity of gene order, organization with the other pig breeds and vertebrates, comprising of 13 proteincoding genes, 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNAs and a control region. It was concluded that modified random hexamer can be successfully used for whole mitogenome sequencing using NGS without designing mitogenome-specific primer, thereby reducing cost and labor. ARTICLE HISTORY

Canine distemper virus (CDV) was reported in wild tigers from Russia and recently from India.  Very few studies, however, have been carried out to gain an insight into the prevalence of the disease in India, particularly in the wild.  CDV is the etiological agent of one of the most infectious diseases of domestic dogs.  With the aim of exploring the threat CDV poses for tigers, a preliminary assessment was carried out to determine its prevalence from villages near Ranthambhore National Park in Rajasthan, India.  Free-roaming dog populations within a 4-km-radius of the park’s periphery were tested for antibodies against CDV.  The seroprevalence of CDV antibodies in the sampled dogs was 86% (95% CI 78–91 %), indicating the probability of the dogs acting as a reservoir and having been exposed to CDV in the past.  The seroprevalence of CAV antibodies was 44.23% (95% CI 35–54 %) and CPV antibodies was 95.19% (95% CI 91–99 %).  This could threaten the tiger populations in the park, considering the close proximity of dogs to tigers.  It is, therefore, crucial to assess disease threats at the domestic-wildlife interface and to establish management strategies for more effective conservation practices in the landscape.

Aim: Identification of wild pig and domestic pig is essential to prevent illegal poaching of wild pig and to implement Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. PCR-RFLP was used to differentiate Wild pig (Sus scrofa cristatus) from Domestic pig (Sus scrofa domestica) meat.Materials and Methods: DNA was isolated from meat samples of both the sub species and a fragment of Cytochrome b gene was amplified using universal primers and the PCR products were subjected to restriction digestion.Results: All the known samples of each of the sub-species amplified 474 bp fragment successfully using b1 and b2 primers. To differentiate between wild and domestic pig meat, restriction digestion of the PCR products was carried out to produce characteristic PCR-RFLP patterns for each species. StuI digestion yielded a RFLP pattern which distinguished the closely related sub species. The alignment of sequences of Wild pigs with sequences of local domestic pig, European wild pig and exotic breeds revealed 7 intra-species polymorphic sites within Cytochrome b gene fragment. Conclusion:This study showed that The PCR-RFLP is a simple and very effective tool for differentiating the samples of both the sub species and could prove to be a useful tool in forensic identification of wild pig and domestic pig.