Faculty of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
https://hdl.handle.net/13049/6
2024-03-29T14:33:46ZModelling climate change impacts on the spatial distribution of anthrax in Zimbabwe.
https://hdl.handle.net/13049/733
Modelling climate change impacts on the spatial distribution of anthrax in Zimbabwe.
John, Learnmore; Shekede, Munyaradzi Davis; Gwitira, Isaiah; Mazhindu, Aldridge Nyasha; Pfukenyi, Davies Mubika; Chikerema, Silvester
In Zimbabwe, anthrax is endemic with outbreaks being reported almost annually in livestock, wildlife, and humans over the past 40 years. Accurate modelling of its spatial distribution is key in formulating effective control strategies. In this study, an Ensemble Species Distribution Model was used to model the current and future distribution of anthrax occurrence in Zimbabwe. Methods: Bioclimatic variables derived from the Beijing Climate Centre Climate System Model were used to model the disease. Collinearity testing was conducted on the 19 bioclimatic variables and elevation to remove redundancy. Variables that had no collinearity were used for anthrax habitat suitability modelling. Two future climate change scenarios for different Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP), RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 were used. Model evaluation was done using true skill, Kappa statistics and receiver operating characteristics. Results: The results showed that under current bioclimatic conditions, eastern and western districts of Zimbabwe were modelled as highly suitable, central districts moderately suitable and southern parts marginally suitable for anthrax occurrence. Future predictions demonstrated that the suitable (8%) and highly suitable (7%) areas for anthrax occurrence would increase under RCP4.5 scenario. In contrast, a respective decrease (11%) and marginal increase (0.6%) of suitable and highly suitable areas for anthrax occurrence were predicted under the RCP8.5 scenario. The percentage contribution of the predictors varied for the different scenarios; Bio6 and Bio18 for the current scenario, Bio2, Bio4 and Bio9 for the RCP4.5 and Bio3 and Bio15 for the RCP8.5 scenarios. Conclusions: The study revealed that areas currently suitable for anthrax should be targeted for surveillance and prevention. The predicted future anthrax distribution can be used to guide and prioritise surveillance and control activities and optimise allocation of limited resources. In the marginally to moderately suitable areas, effective disease surveillance systems and awareness need to be put in place for early detection of outbreaks. Targeted vaccinations and other control measures including collaborative ‘One Health’ strategies need to be implemented in the predicted highly suitable areas. In the southern part where a high decrease in suitability was predicted, continued monitoring would be necessary to detect incursions early.
This is an open access article with full access.
2024-02-28T00:00:00ZMicrosatellite marker analysis of Tswana cattle kept under in situ conservation at Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
https://hdl.handle.net/13049/732
Microsatellite marker analysis of Tswana cattle kept under in situ conservation at Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Bakae, Tirelo; Monau, Phetogo Ineeleng; Kgwatalala, Patrick; Nsoso, Shalaulani James
The study was carried out to assess genetic diversity of Tswana cattle conserved at Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) farm. Twelve microsatellite markers recommended by the International Society for Animal Genetics were used for assessment of genetic diversity on twenty-six Tswana cattle. A total of seventy-five alleles were distinguished across all loci with the mean value of 6.25±2.60. The markers TGLA227, BM2113, ETH10, TGLA122, ETH3, ETH225, CMSS60, CMSS66, and ILST006 were highly informative. The polymorphic information content ranged from 0.38 (BM1818) to 0.84 (ETH225) with an overall mean of 0.67. Two microsatellite markers; CMSS60 and CMSS66 deviated significantly from Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium. The level of gene diversity (HE) across all loci was 0.79±0.04 with moderate inbreeding coefficient (F IS) of 20%. The results have provided insights on the genetic diversity of Tswana cattle that is relevant for decision making on the population herd structure and other research work. Maintenance of genetic diversity of Tswana cattle is recommended as a fundamental component in long-term management strategies for conservation programme. The level of inbreeding in the herd should be managed through introduction of new breeding bulls to counter effect genetic erosion.
The article was published under open access licensing.
2021-01-01T00:00:00ZArtificial insemination: Factors influencing its utilisation by beef cattle farmers in Southern and Ghanzi districts in Botswana
https://hdl.handle.net/13049/731
Artificial insemination: Factors influencing its utilisation by beef cattle farmers in Southern and Ghanzi districts in Botswana
Thutwa, Ketshephaone; Nthupisang, Poloko; Nkamane, Thatoyaone Botlhe
The use of assisted reproductive technologies to improve productivity in livestock industry is becoming popular. The study aimed to determine the utilisation of artificial insemination (AI) and to find out the factors associated with adoption of AI by beef farmers in selected areas of Southern and Ghanzi districts. The data were collected through a survey where a questionnaire was administered to beef farmers. Random sampling was used to interview 54 beef farmers in Southern district and 40 beef farmers in Ghanzi district. The data were analysed using Frequency procedure in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The association between the nominal variables was tested using Pearson Chi-square in SPSS. There is significant (P < 0.05) association between AI utilization by beef farmers and these socio-economic factors; district where farming is done, age of the farmer, education level, occupation of the farmer, purpose of rearing cattle (commercial or subsistence) and land (communal or ranches). Gender of the farmer is not associated with AI utilization.
2024-02-09T00:00:00ZBovine anaplasmosis in Zimbabwe: spatio-temporal distribution and environmental drivers.
https://hdl.handle.net/13049/729
Bovine anaplasmosis in Zimbabwe: spatio-temporal distribution and environmental drivers.
Madyavanhu, Natasher; Shekede, Munyaradzi Davis; Kusangaya, Samuel; Pfukenyi, Davies Mubika; Chikerema, Sylvester; Gwitira, Isaiah
Understanding the spatial and temporal distribution of Bovine anaplasmosis is crucial for identifying areas of high prevalence for targeted disease control. This research was aimed at modelling and mapping the B. anaplasmosis potential distribution, and identify hotspots as well as significant variables explaining the occurrence of the disease. The Getis Ord Gi* statistic for Hotspot analysis was used as well as MaxEnt ecological niche modelling. The effects of time, land-use, and agro-ecological regions on B. anaplasmosis occurrence were tested using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results showed that several districts in Zimbabwe are suitable for the occurence of the disease for example Binga, Seke, Buhera, Kwekwe, Gweru, Mhondoro, Chegutu, Sanyati, and in the North: Mbire, Muzarabani, Mt Darwin, Shamva, Bindura, Zvimba and Makonde. Morbidity and mortality hotspots were detected in Gokwe-south, Kwekwe, and Chirumhanzu districts. Binga, Gokwe-south, Gutu, Hurungwe, Mazoe, Nkayi, Shamva, and Kwekwe districts also experienced high disease incidences. Temperature seasonality, precipitation seasonality, mean diurnal range, and isothermality were the most important variables in explaining 93% of B. anaplasmosis distribution. Unlike land-use and agro-ecological regions, time (months) had a significant effect on B. anaplasmosis occurrence with July and September having significantly (p < 0.05) higher cases and deaths than the rest of the months. The results of this study provide insights into the management strategies and control of B. anaplasmosis in Zimbabwe. It is thus concluded that geo-spatial techniques, combined with ecological niche modelling can provide useful insights into disease prevalence and distribution and hence can contribute to effective management and control of B. anaplasmosis in Zimbabwe.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License, CC BY-NC 4.0
2024-01-27T00:00:00Z