Adaptation to Himalayan high altitude pasture sites by yaks and different types of hybrids of yaks with cattle

Barsila, Shanker Raj; Kreuzer, Michael; Devkota, Naba Raj; Ding, Luming; Marquardt, Svenja

doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2014.09.004

Cited by 23 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…While individual means were available for the populations included in Table , larger populations tended to have more variation, and most samples had overlapping distributions with this study. At present, no comparative data for high‐altitude adapted human populations exist, but there is some evidence that yaks living at high altitude produce milk with higher fat than yaks of the same breed living at lower altitude (Barsila et al, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Milk at altitude: Human milk macronutrient composition in a high‐altitude adapted population of tibetans

Quinn

Bista

Childs

2015

American J Phys Anthropol

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Milk at altitude: Human milk macronutrient composition in a high‐altitude adapted population of tibetans

Quinn

Bista

Childs

2015

American J Phys Anthropol

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“…A study of physiological and metabolic traits, e.g. blood haemoglobin levels, rectal temperature, respiration rate and levels of blood lactate, of yaks and their hybrids with cattle further demonstrated the superior performance of yaks at high altitude (Barsila et al ).…”

Section: Genetic Background Of High‐altitude Adaptationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Selection signatures for high‐altitude adaptation in ruminants

Friedrich

Wiener

2020

Animal Genetics

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Summary High‐altitude areas are important socio‐economical habitats with ruminants serving as a major source of food and commodities for humans. Living at high altitude, however, is extremely challenging, predominantly due to the exposure to hypoxic conditions, but also because of cold temperatures and limited feed for livestock. To survive in high‐altitude environments over the long term, ruminants have evolved adaptation strategies, e.g. physiological and morphological modifications, which allow them to cope with these harsh conditions. Identification of such selection signatures in ruminants may contribute to more informed breeding decisions, and thus improved productivity. Moreover, studying the genetic background of altitude adaptation in ruminants provides insights into a common molecular basis across species and thus a better understanding of the physiological basis of this adaptation. In this paper, we review the major effects of high altitude on the mammalian body and highlight some of the most important short‐term (coping) and genetically evolved (adaptation) physiological modifications. We then discuss the genetic architecture of altitude adaptation and target genes that show evidence of being under selection based on recent studies in various species, with a focus on ruminants. The yak is presented as an interesting native species that has adapted to the high‐altitude regions of Tibet. Finally, we conclude with implications and challenges of selection signature studies on altitude adaptation in general. We found that the number of studies on genetic mechanisms that enable altitude adaptation in ruminants is growing, with a strong focus on identifying selection signatures, and hypothesise that the investigation of genetic data from multiple species and regions will contribute greatly to the understanding of the genetic basis of altitude adaptation.

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“…An awareness of the risk for parasitism of F1 yak × beef hybrids by horn flies is important for practising veterinarians, entomologists and agricultural producers in Europe and North America in order that appropriate monitoring protocols and preventative treatment strategies can be developed, and decisions on interventions made during peak parasitism periods (Oyarzún et al, 2008;Swiger & Payne, 2016). Initial assessments such as that reported in this study, like the initial reports by Otranto et al (2006) for Hypoderma species (Diptera: Oestridae) in yaks and cattle in China, have similar medical and veterinary applications that are also relevant to the traditional regions of production of yaks and their associated hybrids in Asia (Saravanan et al, 2008;Barsila et al, 2014;Angell et al, 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 76%

“…The harsh environmental conditions in places where yaks occur are characterized as being of high altitude (2000-5000 m a.s.l. ), above the tree line and without frost-free periods; today, > 13 million yaks live in pastoral cultures in which very few other herbivores can even survive (Barsila et al, 2014). Hybridizing yaks with beef cows (Bos taurus and Bos indicus) yields heterosis that increases milk and meat production in the F1 generation for reliant human populations (Wiener et al, 2003;Dong et al, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Haematobia irritans parasitism of F1 yak × beef cattle (Bos grunniens × Bos taurus) hybrids

Calkins

Scasta

Smith

et al. 2019

Medical Vet Entomology

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The horn fly Haematobia irritans (Diptera: Muscidae) is a blood obligate ectoparasite of bovids that causes annual losses to the U.S. beef cattle industry of over US$1.75 billion. Climate warming, the anthropogenic dispersion of bovids and the cross‐breeding of beef cattle with other bovid species may facilitate novel horn fly–host interactions. In particular, hybridizing yaks [Bos grunniens (Artiodactyla: Bovidae)] with beef cows (Bos taurus) for heterosis and carcass improvements may increase the exposure of yak × beef hybrids to horn flies. The present paper reports on the collection of digital images of commingled beef heifers (n = 12) and F1 yak × beef hybrid bovids (heifers, n = 7; steers, n = 5) near Laramie, Wyoming (∼ 2200 m a.s.l.) in 2018. The total numbers of horn flies on beef heifers and F1 yak × beef heifers [mean ± standard error (SE): 88 ± 13 and 70 ± 17, respectively] did not differ significantly; however, F1 yak × beef steers had greater total horn fly abundance (mean ± SE: 159 ± 39) than female bovids. The present report of this experiment is the first such report in the literature and suggests that F1 yak × beef bovids are as susceptible as cattle to horn fly parasitism. Therefore, similar monitoring and treatment practices should be adopted by veterinarians, entomologists and producers.

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Adaptation to Himalayan high altitude pasture sites by yaks and different types of hybrids of yaks with cattle

Cited by 23 publications

References 30 publications

Milk at altitude: Human milk macronutrient composition in a high‐altitude adapted population of tibetans

Milk at altitude: Human milk macronutrient composition in a high‐altitude adapted population of tibetans

Selection signatures for high‐altitude adaptation in ruminants

Haematobia irritans parasitism of F1 yak × beef cattle (Bos grunniens × Bos taurus) hybrids

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