Population Structure, Morphology, and Health Assessment of Philippine Swamp Buffalo (<i>Bubalus kerabau,</i> Fitzinger, 1860) in Calayan Island, Cagayan

Understanding the state of the swamp buffalo population in Calayan Island is important to strengthen the conservation and management program in the country. This study aimed to provide insights into the morphology, population structure, and health profile of the swamp buffaloes on the island. In tot...

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Main Authors: Lilian P. Villamor, Aivhie Jhoy E. Cuanang, Therese Patricka C. Cailipan, Alexander M. Paraguas, Ester B. Flores, Marvin A. Villanueva, Michelle M. Balbin, Lawrence P. Belotindos, Franklin T. Rellin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Ruminants
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-933X/4/4/39
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author Lilian P. Villamor
Aivhie Jhoy E. Cuanang
Therese Patricka C. Cailipan
Alexander M. Paraguas
Ester B. Flores
Marvin A. Villanueva
Michelle M. Balbin
Lawrence P. Belotindos
Franklin T. Rellin
author_facet Lilian P. Villamor
Aivhie Jhoy E. Cuanang
Therese Patricka C. Cailipan
Alexander M. Paraguas
Ester B. Flores
Marvin A. Villanueva
Michelle M. Balbin
Lawrence P. Belotindos
Franklin T. Rellin
author_sort Lilian P. Villamor
collection DOAJ
description Understanding the state of the swamp buffalo population in Calayan Island is important to strengthen the conservation and management program in the country. This study aimed to provide insights into the morphology, population structure, and health profile of the swamp buffaloes on the island. In total, 35 fresh blood samples were analyzed using 27 polymorphic microsatellite markers to determine the population structure analysis. Data were gathered for the morphological features of Calayan swamp buffaloes and served as the baseline information for the descriptive traits. Furthermore, samples were tested for surra and brucellosis using PCR and serological tests, respectively. The results showed that Calayan swamp buffaloes were morphologically bigger, except for body length, compared with other populations. A genotype analysis using microsatellite markers showed remarkable discriminatory power to distinguish distinct populations within the tested population, and could discriminate subspecies of swamp and river types plus crossbreds. The study also reports the first incidence of surra and brucellosis on the island. Overall, the new insights provided on the newly detected Philippine carabao lineage in Calayan Island would be highly recommended for the ex situ conservation and animal health control strategy. The conservation strategy would encompass collecting, cryopreserving, and storing viable germplasms from local swamp buffalo on Calayan Island.
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spelling doaj-art-66bbf8f472b24591a0b73f952222c22e2025-08-20T02:43:54ZengMDPI AGRuminants2673-933X2024-12-014455656410.3390/ruminants4040039Population Structure, Morphology, and Health Assessment of Philippine Swamp Buffalo (<i>Bubalus kerabau,</i> Fitzinger, 1860) in Calayan Island, CagayanLilian P. Villamor0Aivhie Jhoy E. Cuanang1Therese Patricka C. Cailipan2Alexander M. Paraguas3Ester B. Flores4Marvin A. Villanueva5Michelle M. Balbin6Lawrence P. Belotindos7Franklin T. Rellin8Cryobank Section, Research Development Division, Philippine Carabao Center National Headquarters and Gene Pool, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija 3120, PhilippinesCryobank Section, Research Development Division, Philippine Carabao Center National Headquarters and Gene Pool, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija 3120, PhilippinesCryobank Section, Research Development Division, Philippine Carabao Center National Headquarters and Gene Pool, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija 3120, PhilippinesCryobank Section, Research Development Division, Philippine Carabao Center National Headquarters and Gene Pool, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija 3120, PhilippinesAnimal Breeding and Genomics Section, Research Development Division, Philippine Carabao Center National Headquarters and Gene Pool, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija 3120, PhilippinesBiosafety and Environment Section, Research Development Division, Philippine Carabao Center National Headquarters and Gene Pool, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija 3120, PhilippinesBiosafety and Environment Section, Research Development Division, Philippine Carabao Center National Headquarters and Gene Pool, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija 3120, PhilippinesBiosafety and Environment Section, Research Development Division, Philippine Carabao Center National Headquarters and Gene Pool, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija 3120, PhilippinesPhilippine Carabao Center, Cagayan State University, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan 3500, PhilippinesUnderstanding the state of the swamp buffalo population in Calayan Island is important to strengthen the conservation and management program in the country. This study aimed to provide insights into the morphology, population structure, and health profile of the swamp buffaloes on the island. In total, 35 fresh blood samples were analyzed using 27 polymorphic microsatellite markers to determine the population structure analysis. Data were gathered for the morphological features of Calayan swamp buffaloes and served as the baseline information for the descriptive traits. Furthermore, samples were tested for surra and brucellosis using PCR and serological tests, respectively. The results showed that Calayan swamp buffaloes were morphologically bigger, except for body length, compared with other populations. A genotype analysis using microsatellite markers showed remarkable discriminatory power to distinguish distinct populations within the tested population, and could discriminate subspecies of swamp and river types plus crossbreds. The study also reports the first incidence of surra and brucellosis on the island. Overall, the new insights provided on the newly detected Philippine carabao lineage in Calayan Island would be highly recommended for the ex situ conservation and animal health control strategy. The conservation strategy would encompass collecting, cryopreserving, and storing viable germplasms from local swamp buffalo on Calayan Island.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-933X/4/4/39conservation managementinfectious diseasesmicrosatellite markersPhilippine carabao
spellingShingle Lilian P. Villamor
Aivhie Jhoy E. Cuanang
Therese Patricka C. Cailipan
Alexander M. Paraguas
Ester B. Flores
Marvin A. Villanueva
Michelle M. Balbin
Lawrence P. Belotindos
Franklin T. Rellin
Population Structure, Morphology, and Health Assessment of Philippine Swamp Buffalo (<i>Bubalus kerabau,</i> Fitzinger, 1860) in Calayan Island, Cagayan
Ruminants
conservation management
infectious diseases
microsatellite markers
Philippine carabao
title Population Structure, Morphology, and Health Assessment of Philippine Swamp Buffalo (<i>Bubalus kerabau,</i> Fitzinger, 1860) in Calayan Island, Cagayan
title_full Population Structure, Morphology, and Health Assessment of Philippine Swamp Buffalo (<i>Bubalus kerabau,</i> Fitzinger, 1860) in Calayan Island, Cagayan
title_fullStr Population Structure, Morphology, and Health Assessment of Philippine Swamp Buffalo (<i>Bubalus kerabau,</i> Fitzinger, 1860) in Calayan Island, Cagayan
title_full_unstemmed Population Structure, Morphology, and Health Assessment of Philippine Swamp Buffalo (<i>Bubalus kerabau,</i> Fitzinger, 1860) in Calayan Island, Cagayan
title_short Population Structure, Morphology, and Health Assessment of Philippine Swamp Buffalo (<i>Bubalus kerabau,</i> Fitzinger, 1860) in Calayan Island, Cagayan
title_sort population structure morphology and health assessment of philippine swamp buffalo i bubalus kerabau i fitzinger 1860 in calayan island cagayan
topic conservation management
infectious diseases
microsatellite markers
Philippine carabao
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-933X/4/4/39
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