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Worldwide, scientific understanding about domestication and the origins of food production is undergoing rapid change based on new data from discoveries in paleoclimates and environments, paleobiology, and archaeology [...]

This study evaluates the hypothesis that some documented cases of long-distance sea crossing by the Late Pleistocene Homo sapiens occurred as a result of accidental drifting, rather than by intentional seafaring. For that purpose, we use an existing computer simulation framework, with some modifications, to investigate the likelihood that a planned or unplanned island colonization by a small group of individuals will persist to establish a viable population. Within the original framework, planned colonization was operationally characterized as being initiated by equal numbers of unrelated young men and women, whereas for unplanned colonization, those who migrate inadvertently were regarded in effect as a random sample of the whole population. Here, we consider a different scenario for unplanned colonization, which we believe is more relevant to sea crossing by the Late Pleistocene humans, that is, we assume that unplanned colonization occurs when members of households on watercrafts with limited voyaging capabilities are drifted away by ocean currents and washed up on a distant island. We also extend the previous analysis by considering a broader range of combinations of fertility and mortality schedules that individuals are assumed to follow. Our simulations suggest the following: (1) colonization of an island by ten or fewer unrelated young men and women can be successful within the feasible range of fertility and mortality levels; (2) in comparison, the likelihood of success for unplanned colonization is considerably smaller for the same range of fertility and mortality levels; and (3) there exists a small range of parameter combinations for which unplanned colonization has a non-negligible prospect of success even without assuming recurrent accidental drifts to the same island, and thus, the accidental colonization scenario cannot be totally excluded. In addition, we find that the minimum founding population required for successful colonization varies substantially depending on the fertility and mortality levels.

A macroscopic examination of the huge leg of the Dong Tao breed from North Vietnam was conducted. Bone and muscular tendon morphometric data demonstrated that the Dong Tao breed was equipped with the extraordinarily thick and large tarsometatarsal bone and distal parts of the related tibiotarsus regions. Morphological differences between dorsal and plantar sides were clearly observed. First, on the dorsal side, fleshy bundles were extended effectively using the enlarged dorsal surface of tarsometatarsal bone shown as Musuculus extensor digitorum brevis, M. extensor digiti I brevis and M. adductor digiti IV. The strong and fleshy extensor bellies of M. tibialis cranialis and M. extensor digitorum longus were enlarged in the crural region, functioning to dorsally pull the heavy tarsometatarsal region through the ankle joint. Second, on the plantar side, the flexor tendon groups around the ankle joint were wider and thicker than those of other ordinary breeds, possibly to stabilize the tarsometatarsal bone and to flex the phalange as observed in M. flexor perforatus digiti II, M. flexor perforans et perforatus digiti II, M. flexor perforatus digiti III, M. flexor perforans et perforatus digiti III, M. flexor perforatus digiti IV, and M. flexor perforans digitorum profundus. The mass of the huge tarsometatarsal region does not contribute to effective locomotion in the Dong Tao fowl in comparison with that associated with normal breeds. However, we suggest that these morphological changes in the musculoskeletal system may functionally compensate for the physical disadvantages of the large weight of the distal part of the hindlimb in the Dong Tao fowl.

Gayal (Bos frontalis) is a semi domesticated and endangered bovine species in Bangladesh. This study was conducted to know the present distribution, performances and utility of gayal in the home tract. Bandarban Hill district was found the home tract of gayal in Bangladesh. Gayals were reared under extensive management system in the forest of Bandarban Hill district. They browsed forest herbs and grass freely in the forest and came to human dwelling for salt licking. Total number of gayal was counted between 800- 900. The average number of gayal per farmer was 5.01. The coat color of adult gayal was black. White stocking was very prominent in adult gayal. The height at wither and weight for adult males ranged from 126 to 136 cm and 490 to 577 kg, respectively. Reproductive efficiency was high and calving interval was 402 days. They exhibited high disease resistant. The PVC (Pack Cell Volume) and hemoglobin value was 33.5±5.71% and 13.43±2.9 g/dl, respectively. Gayal was used only as meat animal. The high growth rate and reproductive efficiency of gayal in the home tract indicates that this species can be utilized economically if proper breeding plan and sound extension service can be adopted.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v44i1.23147Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2014. 44 (1): 75-84

Geographers study our interactions with other living creatures. Here, life can be classed into three categories by the degree of human-creature interaction: wild animals and plants; domestic animals and cultivated plants bred for food; and pets and houseplants, kept for cultural reasons. We have to find ways to live with creatures and maintain earth’s biodiversity. Modern society often promotes the protection of wild animals and plants and wilderness biodiversity, but neglects the diversity of indigenous domestic animals. Some localized domestic animals are faced with extinction. Should we maintain the genetic and cultural diversity of domestic animals? The cultural and biological diversity of farm animals from dry lands is well documented, but little attention has been paid to domestic animals from wet environments; for example, Monsoon Asia. For this reason, I chose to study pig farming in the Bengal delta of Bangladesh. Pig farming in this area uses the natural resources of the delta and local breeds of pigs in a nomadic pastoral farming system. The results of my study illustrate the use and management of farm animals in a complex environment, and increase our understanding of human-farm-animal interaction and the ‘geography of creature cultures’. The study provides lessons for the future of our culture and civilization.

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the distribution of zenmai producing regions and their formation in the Tohoku region during the late Meiji and Taisho Eras. The young shoot of the fern zenmai (Osmunda japonica) is a traditional edible plant in Japan. Zenmai is distributed densely in the steep slopes of mountains which receive heavy snow. Therefore, zenmai of good quality has been produced in mountain villages of Tohoku facing the Japan Sea. The present writer identifies“zenmai settlements”where zenmai producing is economically important to village life.This paper is based on 50 days field research in the mountain villages of Tohoku and Hokuriku from August 1981 to October 1984. The author conducted oral research among many old people, and gathered a lot of information from brokers and wholesalers about zenmai producing and circulation.The results can be summarized as follows:The zenmai producing region expanded from the late Meiji Era to the Taisho Era, and the zenmai settlements appeared in the snowy region facing the Japan Sea, They were distributed at the foot of the Moriyoshi Range, the Waga Range, the Kurikoma Range, the Chokai Range, the Asahi Range, the Iide Range, and the Echigo Range. (See Fig. 3.) This zenmai production brought people a secure income of a lot of money in about one month of each year. The custom of Maegari also arose, in which brokers advanced rice and other staples to villagers each fall in exchange for zenmai deliveries the next spring.The formation of the zenmai producing regions was caused by two trends. First, village people close to the old producing regions spontaneously began to produce zenmai upon learning of its value. Second, brokers began to visit places distant from the old producing regions and advise village people to produce zenmai and sell it. These two behaviors were stimulated by the imcrease of demand as population grew in the cities, and by merchants' easy access to the remote mountain villages with the completion of the railroad network.From the above, we can see how the mountain villages of Tohoku facing the Japan Sea, having difficult access to markets, were drawn into commodity production of zenmai, a light and expensive food formerly gathered in the wild. This pattern is similar to the development of specialized commercial production in conjunction with shifting cultivation in other remote and mountainous parts of Japan: wild tea in Kyushu, Mitsumata (for paper making) in Shikoku, and sericulture in Central Japan. This shows the development of a commercial economy through particular products in the remote mountain villages of Japan.

The purpose of this paper is to clarify changes in village lifestyle caused by a dam construction plan. An investigation of Zenmai (Osmunda japonica) gathering in Miomote, Niigata prefecture in Japan was conducted in order to identify such changes. Zenmai gathering is a traditional occupation of the village people, which is highly susceptible to the influences of nature. Changes will be analyzed in accordance with the following four points: 1. Mutual relationship between village people and natural environment as reflected by the way people gather Zenmai. 2. Production of Zenmai and its economic importance to village life. 3. Communal characteristics of the village as represented by the customary practice of Zenmai gathering. 4. People's perception of the balance between nature and their Zenmai gathering activities.This paper is based on 40 days field research from May to December in 1981.The results can be summarized as follows.1) The gathering area for each family around 1970 was determined. The size of these areas did not change following 1970. The village people who gathered Zenmai were aware of Zenmai ecology. The gathering territory was decided by mutual agreement. This produced stability and high Zenmai production.2) In 1981 however the area changed as most land came to be used by two or more families. Overgathering, a disregard of Zenmai ecology and destruction of the gathering territory structure occurred. This state of affairs has produced changes in people's perception of their relationship to nature and instability in Zenmai production.3) The change in the Zenmai gathering field structure was caused by a dam construction plan, which has been in negotiation for ten years. No final agreement has yet been reached. The other causes of the change were the increase in the number of Zenmai gatherers, and the emergence of new Zenmai gathering areas caused by the expansion of older areas.As described in the four points mentioned above, the changes in Miomote, an area waiting a decision concerning the future dam site, show clearly the deterioration of a once stable community toward that of an unstable state.