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Genetic and cultural significance of indigenous pigs in Papua New Guinea and their phenotypic characteristics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 2011

W. Ayalew ,
G. Danbaro ,
M. Dom ,
S. Amben ,
F. Besari ,
C. Moran  and
K. Nidup
W. Ayalew
Affiliation:
National Agricultural Research Institute, Livestock Research Station, Labu, PO Box 1639, Lae MP 411, Papua New Guinea
G. Danbaro
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, The Papua New Guinea University of Technology, Private Mail Bag, Lae MP 411, Papua New Guinea
M. Dom
Affiliation:
National Agricultural Research Institute, Livestock Research Station, Labu, PO Box 1639, Lae MP 411, Papua New Guinea
S. Amben
Affiliation:
National Agricultural Research Institute, Highlands Regional Centre, Tambul, PO Box 120, Mt Hagen, WHP, Papua New Guinea
F. Besari
Affiliation:
National Agricultural Research Institute, Livestock Research Station, Labu, PO Box 1639, Lae MP 411, Papua New Guinea
C. Moran
Affiliation:
Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, RCM Gunn Building B19, NWS 2006, Sydney, Australia
K. Nidup*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, RCM Gunn Building B19, NWS 2006, Sydney, Australia College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan, Lobesa, Bhutan
*
Correspondence to: K. Nidup, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, RCM Gunn Building B19, NWS 2006, Sydney, Australia. email: knidup@gmail.com
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Summary

Pigs are the most important livestock species in Papua New Guinea (PNG) from economic as well as cultural perspectives. Most of the estimated population of 1.8 million pigs are maintained by smallholder farmers. The genetic attributes, differentiation and production capacities of indigenous pigs are largely unknown. But the rich socio-cultural diversity of rural communities living in geographically isolated pristine environments, with long and strong attachments with indigenous pigs implies that indigenous pigs may harbour unique genetic diversity. This study reports preliminary survey of indigenous pigs sampled from major pig farming areas of the country as part of a South Asia-wide regional indigenous pig genetic diversity study. It assesses farmers’ perceptions about the origin, population trend and utility value of indigenous pigs, as well as their trait preferences. Average herd sizes and external physical forms and appearances of pigs are described. About 19 percent of the sampled indigenous pigs were identified through pedigree checks to have an admixtured genotype with some distant indigenous or exotic parentage. The importance of indigenous pig genetic resources in PNG requires a policy and legislative framework to support sustainable utilization. As a first step in informing such development, a comprehensive molecular genetic study is required to elucidate the genetic attributes of this unique genetic resource.

Résumé

En Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée, les porcs représentent l'espèce d'animaux d’élevage la plus importante tant du point de vue économique que culturel. La plupart de la population estimée de 1,8 million de porcs est élevée par des petits exploitants. Les caractères génétiques et les capacités de différenciation et de production des porcs indigènes sont largement inconnus. Mais la riche diversité socio-culturelle des communautés rurales qui vivent dans des environnements vierges isolés et ont des liens forts et de longue durée avec les porcs indigènes laisse supposer que ces derniers pourraient conserver une diversité génétique unique. Cette étude présente le rapport d'une enquête préliminaire sur les porcs indigènes des principales zones d’élevage du pays, dans le cadre d'une vaste étude régionale sur la diversité génétique des porcs, mise en place en Asie du Sud. Dans cette étude, on évalue les perceptions des agriculteurs sur l'origine, l’évolution de la population et la valeur d'utilité des porcs indigènes, ainsi que leurs préférences de caractères. On y décrit les tailles moyennes des troupeaux et les formes et aspects physiques extérieurs des porcs. Par le biais des contrôles généalogiques, on a déterminé qu'environ 19 pour cent des porcs indigènes pris en considération présentent un génotype provenant d'un mélange avec une ascendance lointaine indigène ou exotique. L'importance des ressources génétiques des porcs indigènes de la Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée demande un cadre politique et législatif soutenant leur utilization durable. La première étape pour accompagner ce développement consiste à entreprendre une étude génétique moléculaire détaillée pouvant préciser les caractères génétiques de cette ressources génétique unique.

Resumen

El cerdo representa la especie de ganado más importante en Papúa Nueva Guinea (PNG) tanto desde un punto de vista económico como cultural. La mayor parte de la población estimada, de 1,8 millones de cerdos, es mantenida por granjeros minifundistas. Las características genéticas y las capacidades de diferenciación y producción de los cerdos indígenas se desconocen ampliamente. Pero la riqueza de la diversidad socio-cultural de las comunidades rurales que viven aisladas geográficamente en ambientes en perfecto estado, con antiguas y fuertes relaciones con cerdos indígenas, implica que los cerdos indígenas posean una diversidad genética única. Este trabajo está basado en el estudio preliminar de cerdos indígenas muestreados en las más importantes áreas de cría de cerdos del país, como parte de un estudio de la diversidad genética de una amplia región del sur de Asia. Se valora la percepción de los ganaderos acerca del origen, tendencia de la población, valor de utilidad de los cerdos indígenas, así como sus rasgos preferidos. Se describe el tamaño medio de las piaras, sus formas físicas externas y la apariencia de los cerdos. Alrededor del 19 percent de los cerdos indígenas muestreados fueron identificados por medio del pedigrí como poseedores de una mezcla genética con algún origen lejano indígena o exótico. La importancia de los recursos genéticos porcinos en PNG requiere de un marco de trabajo político y legislativo para apoyar su utilización sostenible. Como primer paso para informar de tal desarrollo, se ha requerido un exhaustivo estudio genético molecular para aclarar las características genéticas de este recurso genético único.

Keywords

Papua New Guineaindigenous pigsgenetic diversityphenotypic characterizationPapouasie-Nouvelle-Guinéeporcs indigènesdiversité génétiquecaractérization phénotypiquePapúa Nueva Guineacerdos indígenasdiversidad genéticacaracterización fenotípica
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Genetic Resources/Resources génétiques animales/Recursos genéticos animales , Volume 48 , April 2011 , pp. 37 - 46
Copyright
Copyright © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2011

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