The Indian Institute of Science (IISc)? published a new study that provides insight into how the blackbuck has fared in India in the face of both natural and man-made threats to their survival. Only the Indian subcontinent is the blackbuck's natural habitat. Females are fawn-coloured, while males have corkscrew-shaped horns and dark brown to black coats.
In India, the northern, southern, and eastern regions correspond to three large clusters where the animals are primarily found. IISc asserts that it would be challenging for them to move between the clusters due to the geographic distance and dense human habitation between them.
The Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), also known as the Indian Antelope, is a type of antelope found in India and Nepal. It is common throughout peninsular India, including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and other states. It is regarded as the pinnacle of grassland. It is considered the world's fastest animal, second only to the cheetah. The blackbuck is an antelope that is active during the day.
It is the official state animal of Punjab, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh. Across India, the animals are mostly seen in three broad clusters that correspond to the northern, southern, and eastern regions.The geographic separation and dense human habitation between the clusters, according to IISc, would make it difficult for them to move from one location to another.
The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 protects the black buck. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN and is listed on CITES APPENDIX III. The animal also has a cultural importance. Its skin and horns are revered as sacred objects in Hinduism, making it a symbol of purity. It is a symbol of good fortune in Buddhism.
The study was one of the first of its kind in its scope, according to IISc, and it involved analysing the genetic profiles of blackbucks found across the country. Blackbuck faeces were collected from 12 different locations across eight Indian states. The researchers tracked the animals on foot and in vehicles from a safe distance to collect the samples.?
To study the genetic makeup of blackbuck, they extracted and sequenced DNA from faecal samples in the lab, and then used computational tools to map the genetic data's geographic locations. The researchers also ran simulations to figure out how the three current clusters descended from a common ancestor.
They discovered that an ancestral blackbuck population split into two clusters: northern and southern. Despite its proximity to the northern cluster, the eastern cluster appears to have emerged from the southern cluster.
The scientists looked at the genetic profiles of blackbucks found in India. Despite massive losses in grassland habitats throughout India, blackbucks appear to have adapted well to human-altered landscapes, and their numbers are increasing.
Human activities such as indiscriminate tree cutting and river dam construction have harmed natural landscapes. These changing landscapes are confining animal species to smaller areas and preventing them from migrating to new areas in search of mates, which is essential for genetic diversity. A diverse population is more adaptable to changing environments and thus requires genetic diversity to survive.
Against all odds, the researchers discovered that male blackbuck disperse more than expected, thereby contributing to gene flow in this species. Females, on the other hand, appear to stay mostly within their native population ranges, as evidenced by mitochondrial signatures unique to each population.?
When compared to previous years, the data also revealed an increase in blackbuck population numbers.