Red Junglefowl Resource Management Guide: Bioresource Reintroduction for Sustainable Food Security in Thailand

Abstract

The domestication of wild animals represents a major milestone for human civilization. Chicken is the largest domesticated livestock species and used for both eggs and meat. Chicken originate from the red junglefowl (Gallus gallus). Its adaptability to diverse environments and ease of selective breeding provides a unique genetic resource to address the challenges of food security in a world impacted by climatic change and human population growth. Habitat loss has caused population declines of red junglefowl in Thailand. However, genetic diversity is likely to remain in captive stocks. We determine the genetic diversity using microsatellite genotyping and the mitochondrial D-loop sequencing of wild red junglefowl. We identified potential distribution areas in Thailand using maximum entropy models. Protected areas in the central and upper southern regions of Thailand are highly suitable habitats. The Bayesian clustering analysis of the microsatellite markers revealed high genetic diversity in red junglefowl populations in Thailand. Our model predicted that forest ranges are a highly suitable habitat that has enabled the persistence of a large gene pool with a nationwide natural distribution. Understanding the red junglefowl allows us to implement improved resource management, species reintroduction, and sustainable development to support food security objectives for local people.

Should the Identification Guidelines for Siamese Crocodiles Be Revised? Differing Post-Occipital Scute Scale Numbers Show Phenotypic Variation Does Not Result from Hybridization with Saltwater Crocodiles

“…To ensure the success of reintroduction programs, we must first address the complex hybrid issue. Cluster analysis using STRUCTURE can now determine the degree of hybridization and gene pool pattern by aggregating individuals into a single cluster relative to additional highly differentiated populations/species [ 11 , 59 , 60 ]. Our previous study indicated that three individuals (CPO09, CSI05, and CSI06) may have been the result of interspecific hybridization between Siamese and saltwater crocodiles [ 11 ].…”

Environmental and Socio–Cultural Factors Impacting the Unique Gene Pool Pattern of Mae Hong-Son Chicken

“…The Mae Hong Son Province in Northern Thailand (97 Hong Son chicken might additionally have undergone a genetic selective s study aimed to analyze the gene pool of three populations of Mae Hong Son ing 28 microsatellite markers and mitochondrial (mt) D-loop sequences to inv genetic diversity. The findings were then compared to a broad gene pool librar under the "Siam Chicken Bioresource project" [15,16]. The maximum entrop (MaxEnt) [23] was used, based on spatial suitability analysis of Mae Hong Son precisely assess land suitability for chicken production.…”

“…Partial fragments of the Mitochondrial D-loop (mt D-loop) sequence were amplified by PCR using the following primers: Gg_D-loop_1F (5 -AGGACTACGGCTTGAAAAGC-3 ) and Gg_D-loop_4R (5 -CGCAACGCAGGTGTAGTC-3 ) [15,16,35,36]. Mt D-loop PCR amplification was conducted, as previously described by Singchat et al [16]. The PCR reactions were performed under the following conditions: An initial denaturation was conducted at 94 • C for 4 min, followed by 40 cycles consisting of 30 s at 94 • C, 45 s at 58 • C, and 30 s at 72 • C. The reaction was completed with a final extension step at 72 • C for 10 min.…”

“…Microsatellite genotyping data have been deposited in the Dryad Digital Repository Dataset (https://datadryad.org/stash/ share/x2qlPmboMgCROXO8kQjFc5wF6INadoYmciW1y3WRJ88, accessed on 17 October 2022). Genetic diversity and population structure analyses based on microsatellite data of the Mae Hong Son chicken populations were conducted, as described in previous studies [15,16,37,38] (Supplementary Data S1).…”

“…Animals 2023, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 22 pool of the red junglefowl that has many geographically different populations (ecotypes) [15,16]. Surprisingly, based on microsatellite genotyping, the present gene pool of most red junglefowl populations may be different from those of the ancestral populations of Thai indigenous chickens [15,16].…”