Domestication and Improvement of Animals and Economic Zoology Questions in English

(B) In human louse $(Pediculus)$,breeding occurs throughout the year.
The eggs,which are called nits,are attached to the hair by a glue-like substance secreted by the ovipositor.

(B) The pupa of a mosquito is commonly known as a 'tumbler'.
It is characterized by its active movement in water.
The pupal stage of a mosquito typically lasts for $2-7$ days.

(B) In the life cycle of a mosquito,the $5^{th}$ instar larva undergoes metamorphosis to transform into a pupa.
The pupal stage is characterized by a comma-shaped body structure.
Unlike the larval stage,the pupal stage is a non-feeding stage in the mosquito life cycle.

(B) The larva of a mosquito is commonly known as a $'wriggler'$.
These larvae are aquatic and are characterized by their active,wriggling movement in water.

(B) Pigeons are noted for their unique ability to produce 'pigeon milk' using their crop glands.
This substance is formed by the degeneration of the epithelial cells lining the crop.
This milk is produced by both male and female pigeons to feed their young ones.

(B) Pheromones are chemical substances secreted by an organism into the external environment that trigger a social response in members of the same species.
They serve to conduct messages through smell and taste,thereby influencing the behavior,development,or physiological state of other individuals of the same species.
Therefore,they are primarily used for animal communication.

(A) Karl Ritter Von Frisch of Germany was awarded the Nobel Prize in $1973$ for his pioneering work on the sensory perceptions of honey bees,specifically for decoding their 'waggle dance' which serves as a method of interpersonal communication to share information about food sources.

(B) The Taraporewala Aquarium,located in Mumbai (formerly Bombay),is one of the oldest and most prominent public aquariums in India. It is widely recognized for its diverse collection of marine and freshwater fish,making it the most notable aquarium in the country.

(C) In traditional medicine and certain cultural practices,pigeon meat is often considered to have therapeutic properties.
Specifically,it has been historically used as a dietary supplement or remedy for patients suffering from $Paralysis$ due to its perceived nutritional value and ability to strengthen the body.

(B) The honey bee uses a specific dance pattern to communicate the location of food sources to other members of the hive.
The pitch of the sound produced,the speed of the dance,and the wagging of the abdomen (tail wagging) indicate the distance of the food source.
If the tail wagging is performed directly vertically upwards on the honeycomb,it indicates that the food source is present in the direction of the sun.
If the tail wagging is performed vertically downwards,it indicates that the food source is present in the direction opposite to the sun.

(C) The correct answer is $C$. Animal husbandry is the agricultural practice of breeding,raising,and caring for livestock. It involves the scientific management of animals for their products such as milk,meat,eggs,wool,and labor.

(D) The correct answer is $D$. Dogs and cats are historically and biologically considered the closest pets to human beings due to their long-standing association with human households as companions.

(B) The correct answer is $B$. The dog $(Canis \ lupus \ familiaris)$ was the first species to be domesticated by humans. Archaeological evidence suggests that dogs were domesticated from wolves by hunter-gatherers as early as $15,000$ to $30,000$ years ago,primarily for protection and assistance in hunting.

(C) The $Dog$ ($Canis$ $lupus$ $familiaris$) is a versatile animal known for its diverse roles in human society.
$1$. $Drawing$ $sledges$: Certain breeds like Huskies and Malamutes are specifically trained to pull sleds in snowy regions.
$2$. $Tracing$ $criminals$: Due to their highly developed sense of smell, dogs are extensively used by law enforcement for tracking and detection.
$3$. $Guarding$ $sheep$: Herding breeds like Border Collies and German Shepherds are used to protect and manage livestock.
$4$. $Leading$ $the$ $blind$: Specially trained guide dogs assist visually impaired individuals in navigating their surroundings safely.

(C) Cats ($Felis$ $catus$) possess highly developed senses of hearing and smell. Their ears can detect ultrasonic sounds,which helps them in hunting small prey. Similarly,their sense of smell is significantly more acute than that of humans,allowing them to detect pheromones and identify food or territory from a distance.

(D) The low milk yield of cows in India compared to many other countries is attributed to a combination of several factors:
$1$. Use of inferior or non-descript breeds that have low genetic potential for milk production.
$2$. Improper feeding practices,which include a lack of balanced diet and insufficient fodder.
$3$. Poor management and care,including inadequate veterinary services and unhygienic living conditions.
Therefore,all the mentioned factors contribute to the lower productivity.

(A) bull is an uncastrated adult male bovine,which is capable of reproduction and is therefore the breedable form.
$A$ bullock (or steer) is a castrated adult male bovine,which is used for draft purposes and is incapable of reproduction.
$A$ mule is a hybrid offspring of a male donkey and a female horse,which is typically sterile.
Therefore,only the bull is the breedable form.

(D) Cattle have been domesticated since ancient times for various purposes.
$(1)$ Milk production: They are a primary source of dairy products.
$(2)$ Agricultural and domestic tasks: They are used for drawing water from wells,ploughing fields,and transportation.
$(3)$ Biogas production: Cattle dung is a primary raw material for the production of biogas (methane) in rural areas.
Therefore,all the given options are correct.

(B) The correct answer is $B$. Buffalo milk typically contains a higher percentage of milk fat compared to cow,sheep,or goat milk. Specifically,buffalo milk has approximately $7-8\%$ fat content,whereas cow milk generally contains about $3-4\%$ fat. Therefore,buffalo milk has significantly more fat content than cow milk.

(A) The correct answer is $A$.
Historically,India has maintained a very large population of cattle and buffaloes,ranking among the highest in the world.
However,due to factors such as poor nutrition,lack of selective breeding,and traditional management practices,the average milk yield per cow in India is significantly lower compared to developed nations like the $U.K.$,$Switzerland$,and the $Netherlands$,which utilize high-yielding breeds and advanced dairy technology.

(C) Roughages are feed materials that are high in fibre content and relatively low in digestible nutrients. They are essential for the proper functioning of the digestive system in ruminants. Examples include hay,straw,fodder,and silage,all of which are characterized by having abundant fibres.

(B) $Ongole$ cattle is a well-known general utility breed native to the state of $Andhra$ $Pradesh$.
These cattle are highly valued because the females are efficient milk producers,while the bullocks are strong and capable draught animals,making them useful for both agricultural work and dairy production.

(D) Buffalo milk is considered nutritionally superior to cow and goat milk because it contains higher levels of fat,protein,and essential minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. It also has a higher concentration of total solids,making it more energy-dense.

(B) Milch breeds,also known as dairy breeds,are cattle breeds that are specifically selected and reared for high milk production. Therefore,milch breeds produce good milk-producing cows.

(A) The Jaffrabadi is a well-known breed of Indian buffalo ($Bubalus$ $bubalis$).
It is primarily found in the Kathiawar region of Gujarat,specifically in the districts of Jamnagar,Junagadh,and Amreli.
Therefore,the correct option is $A$.

(D) The correct answer is $D$. The average annual milk yield of a buffalo is approximately $491$ liters,while that of a cow is approximately $173$ liters in India. This ratio is roughly $2.8$ times,which does not match any of the provided options (three times,double,or four times). Therefore,'None of the above' is the most accurate choice.

(C) The term $Livestock$ refers to domestic animals that are raised in an agricultural setting to produce labor and commodities such as meat,eggs,milk,fur,leather,and wool. These animals are kept primarily for use or profit.

(A) Livestock refers to domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to produce labor and commodities such as meat,eggs,milk,fur,leather,and wool.
In India,the primary livestock includes cattle,buffaloes,sheep,goats,pigs,horses,mules,donkeys,and camels.
Among these,cattle and buffaloes are considered the most important due to their significant contribution to the dairy industry and agricultural labor.

(C) The gestation period of buffaloes varies based on the breed and environmental factors,typically ranging between $276$ and $340$ days.
On average,the gestation period lasts for approximately $307$ days,which is equivalent to about $10$ months.

(A) Foot and mouth disease $(FMD)$ is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals.
It primarily impacts cattle,sheep,goats,and pigs.
Among the given options,cattle are the most commonly and severely affected animals,although it can also affect sheep and goats.
Since $FMD$ is a major concern in dairy and livestock farming,cattle are the primary target for vaccination and control programs.

(B) $Rinderpest$,also known as cattle plague,is a viral disease that primarily affects cattle and other even-toed ungulates.
It is caused by a virus belonging to the family $Paramyxoviridae$.
Historically,it has caused massive mortality in cattle populations,significantly impacting agriculture and food security.

(C) Horns,hooves,and bones are rich in calcium,phosphorus,and nitrogenous compounds.
They are processed to create bone meal,which serves as an excellent fertilizer for plants.
Additionally,these materials are processed into protein-rich supplements used in cattle feed.
Therefore,they are utilized for both purposes.

(A) $Nagpuri$ buffalo is a breed of water buffalo native to the $Nagpur$ region of $Maharashtra$,$India$.
It is primarily known for its draught capacity,as the males are strong and used for heavy agricultural work.
However,it is also considered a milker breed because it produces a significant amount of milk compared to other draught breeds.
Therefore,it is classified as a dual-purpose breed,serving both for milk production and draught purposes.

(C) is the correct answer. The $Holstein-Friesian$ breed is widely recognized as the highest milk-producing breed of cattle in the world. Originating from the Netherlands,these cattle are known for their exceptional milk yield and are extensively used in the dairy industry globally.

(A) The primary drawback of using draught animals is that they consume more bioenergy in the form of fodder and maintenance than the actual mechanical work or energy they produce. This makes them less efficient compared to modern mechanical alternatives.

(B) An exotic breed refers to a breed that originated outside of the country.
Holstein (specifically Holstein-Friesian) is a well-known exotic breed of cow originating from the Netherlands,which is widely used for high milk production.
Deoni,Hallikar,and Tharparkar are indigenous (local) breeds of cattle found in India.

(B) . The most well-known breeds of Indian buffaloes include $Murrah$,$Jaffrabadi$,$Nili-Ravi$,$Bhadawari$,and $Surti$. Among these,the $Murrah$ breed is in the highest demand in India due to its superior milk production capacity and high fat content.

(B) $Nagpuri$ buffaloes are primarily known for their utility in agricultural operations and heavy work,such as plowing and pulling carts. Therefore,they are classified as draught animals. While they do produce milk,their primary economic value and physical characteristics are suited for draught purposes.

(B) Milch breeds are those cattle breeds that are high milk producers.
Examples of milch breeds include $Gir$, $Sahiwal$, $Deoni$, and $Red \text{ } Sindhi$.
These breeds are specifically selected for their high yield of milk.
Therefore, option $B$ is the correct answer.

(A) cow or buffalo typically reaches sexual maturity around $2$ to $3$ years of age.
Throughout its productive lifespan,which usually lasts for about $10$ to $12$ years,a healthy animal produces one calf per year after a gestation period of approximately $9$ to $10$ months.
Therefore,considering the reproductive cycle and the average productive life,a cow or buffalo produces approximately $8$ to $10$ calves in its lifetime.

(C) $Zebu$ cattle refers to the species $Bos$ $indicus$,which is the domestic cow found in tropical countries like India.
These cattle are characterized by a prominent hump on their shoulders and are well-adapted to hot climates.
Therefore,the correct option is $C$.

(D) The correct answer is $D$. Most female buffaloes exhibit signs of estrus (heat) primarily during the night,with the peak intensity often occurring around midnight. This nocturnal behavior is a characteristic trait of buffaloes,which is important for farmers to observe for successful artificial insemination or natural breeding.

(A) The estrous cycle (heat period) in cattle and buffaloes is relatively short.
In buffaloes,the heat period typically lasts for $18$ to $36$ hours.
In cows,the heat period typically lasts for $12$ to $24$ hours.
Therefore,considering the range provided in the options,$24 - 36$ hours is the most appropriate duration representing the heat period for these animals.

(B) In India, there are $26$ recognized breeds of Zebu cattle $(Bos) \text{ } indicus$ and $7$ recognized breeds of buffaloes. Therefore, the correct option is $B$.

(D) According to the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources $(NBAGR)$,there are $17$ recognized breeds of Indian buffalo. These breeds are adapted to different agro-climatic conditions across India and are primarily reared for milk production.

(D) Nali is a well-known breed of sheep found in India,particularly in the states of Rajasthan,Haryana,and Punjab. It is primarily known for its carpet-quality wool production.

(D) The best Indian cattle breeds,such as $Sahiwal$,$Red$ $Sindhi$,$Tharparkar$,and $Kankrej$,are primarily found in the drier parts of the country. These regions provide a climate that is conducive to the development of these specific breeds,which are known for their high milk yield and disease resistance.

(D) The yellow-coloured fluid secreted by the mammary glands of mammals,including cattle,soon after the birth of a calf is known as $Colostrum$.
It is rich in essential antibodies,particularly $IgA$,which provide passive immunity to the newborn calf.
It also contains high levels of proteins,vitamins,and minerals necessary for the initial growth and development of the calf.

(B) Stilbesterol is a synthetic estrogen. In dairy farming,it is sometimes used to induce lactation or increase milk yield in cows by stimulating the mammary glands. However,its use is strictly regulated or banned in many countries due to potential health risks to consumers.

(C) The hormone injected into cows to stimulate milk let-down is $Oxytocin$.
$Oxytocin$ is a peptide hormone that causes the contraction of myoepithelial cells in the mammary glands,which leads to the ejection of milk.
While it is often misused in dairy farming to increase milk yield,it is a practice that is generally discouraged due to animal welfare concerns.