1 DPhil and 3 MPhils if you want to join my Research Group DPhil Study 1: Application of microsatellite markers for breeding and genetic conservation of Tuli and Mashona cattle herds Collaborating institutions: Chinhoyi University of Technology Livestock Identification Trust Tuli Breeders Society Mashona Breeders Society Aim: To assess the genetic diversity of Tuli and Mashona cattle in Zimbabwe, using microsatellite markers, in order to assist maintenance and management plans, enhance mating systems and reduce the inbreeding rate. The candidate shall focus on: o Allelic frequencies and richness o The polymorphic information and degree of heterozygosity o The analysis of molecular variance between populations o Estimate inbreeding coefficient o Construct phylogenetic trees Requirements: • Candidate need to have extensive knowledge of breeding and genetics software. • A relevant MSc/MPhil Animal/Biological Sciences with particular emphasis in Breeding and/or Genetics. • Candidate must be 35 years or below. • Proven working experience in the speciality is an added advantage. NB: Selection shall be based on the submitted Concept Note (2-3 pages). Due Date: Friday 13th of February 2015 (1600hrs CAT). Email: [email protected] cc [email protected] MPhil study 1: Genetic parameters for longevity measures in Zimbabwean pig breeds using linear and threshold models Collaborating institutions: Chinhoyi University of Technology Pig Industry Board • Selection of pigs in Zimbabwe has focused on productive characteristics such as growth performance for many years. In general, this led to a reduction in the genetic merit of reproductive, health and longevity characteristics (Pérez-Cabal et al. 2006), and has had direct economic impacts on the production system. Longevity is determined by decisions related to voluntary culling of sows, based on their litter size, or involuntary culling, due to problems related to locomotion, reproductive efficiency and health. A decrease in involuntary culling, as well as reducing costs of sow replacement, can lead to an increase in selection intensity for litter size, resulting in greater genetic gain due to the higher chance of voluntary disposals (Logrotta et al. 2010). • Different measures for longevity have been reported in the literature, such as length of productive life, total litter production, herd life, total number of farrowings and survival observed at a certain age, measured from birth or after first farrowing. • Direct selection for longevity may be limited due to the amount of time needed to obtain the measurement. Longevity can be measured up to a certain point in life, culling or death of the animal and is characterized by low heritability (0.03 to 0.10), particularly when assessed by a linear model (Vollema & Groen 1996, Cruickshank et al. 2002, Tsuruta et al. 2005, Daliri et al. 2008). • However, higher heritability has been reported for measures of survival in cattle when evaluated by the threshold model (Queiroz et al. 2007, Ahlman et al. 2011), which may contribute to an acceleration in the response to selection for longevity. • Given the economic importance of this trait for the pig industry and considering the few studies available with the Dalland breed in Zimbabwe, this work aims to estimate variance components and heritability for different measures of longevity using both linear and threshold models, as well as to identify the most appropriate measure to be used in future official genetic evaluations for the Dalland breed in Zimbabwe. Requirements: • Candidate need to have extensive knowledge of statistical modelling, breeding and genetics software. • A relevant BSc Animal Sciences with particular emphasis in Breeding and/or Genetics. • Candidate must be 35 years or below. • Proven working experience in the speciality is an added advantage. NB: Selection shall be based on the submitted Concept Note (2-3 pages). Due Date: Friday 13th of February 2015 (1600hrs CAT). Email: [email protected] cc [email protected] MPhil Study 2 and 3: Determination of trait performance trends and quantitative genetic parameters of Tuli and Mashona cattle in Zimbabwe Collaborating institutions: Chinhoyi University of Technology Livestock Identification Trust Tuli Breeders Society Mashona Breeders Society Zimbabwe is a nation with an agricultural-based economy contributing 20% of Gross Domestic Product (Tawonezvi, 2004). Animal production contributes significantly to protein and welfare of the majority of people through batter and trade. In general, the indigenous breeds, Mashona and Tuli, are the most common strains in the communal and resettlement areas. In some of these herds, communal grazing system necessitates a common practice of random mating. This has the effect on production of non-descript breeds/strains, increasing inbreeding rate, and compromising variability thus affecting genetic parameters. Government-initiated Land Redistribution Program, which climaxed in the period of 2002 to 2004, witnessed cattle movement across agro-ecological zones and increased communal offtake. Total population sizes of the indigenous cattle are now being postulated, with negative speculations on population trends. A loss of geographic isolation of these breeds is being envisaged. The indigenous breeds play a pivotal role in socio-economic stability of the communal, commercial and resettlement areas through provision of adaptive genes, wealth, products and by-products. The documentation of the quantitative and qualitative traits of economic importance is not exhaustive. The diversity of these genetic resources had never been computed before. Forces that change population gene and genotype frequency, i.e selection, migration, genetic drift, mutation and assortative mating, are known to be inevitable over generation and this necessitate comprehensive characterization of the breeds and determination of trait performance trends. Therefore the two candidates shall explore on the following: • Cross-sectional study on the distribution, production systems, husbandry practices, socio-economic functions of the breeds • Performance evaluation of growth, reproductive and health traits • Quantitative genetic parameters of performance traits • Adaptive behaviour, traits and longevity effects on enterprise sustainability Requirements: • Candidate need to have extensive knowledge of statistical modelling, breeding and genetics software. • A relevant BSc Animal Sciences with particular emphasis in Breeding and/or Genetics. • Candidate must be 35 years or below. • Proven working experience in the speciality is an added advantage. NB: Selection shall be based on the submitted Concept Note (2-3 pages). Due Date: Friday 13th of February 2015 (1600hrs CAT). Email: [email protected] cc [email protected]
Posted on: Mon, 05 Jan 2015 17:25:51 +0000
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