Genetic Ornithology is a new emerging biological science which is related to the study of birds at molecular level. It facilities the wildlife researchers, veterinarians, zoologists, animal scientist, evolutionary biologists and ornithologists to better understand the taxonomy, habitat, genetic characters and evolution of birds.
Birds are essential component of an ecosystem and play an important role in maintance of biological niche. They are valuable global assets as they are symbols of freedom, beauty, spirituality and wisdom. Pakistan is bestowed with a diversified array of avian fauna due to variety of habitats. Climate variations and different biotopes in different territories support diverse ecological zone and provide abode for healthy avian fauna. In previous decades birds were studied using conventional and traditional methods but now with the advent of Molecular Biology and Genetic-studies it has become possible to reveal the birds’ DNA code of life. Pakistani scientists have now been gaining capabilities and skills to study the birds for knowing their molecular classification, genetic makeup and evolutionary hierarchy. Recently scientists at Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore have revealed the mitochondrial genome of Pakistani pigeons and parrots which has helped to unveil the genetic code of these species. These species are very popular and beloved in Pakistani population especially for those who are fond of bird-caging and pet-keeping.
These scientific developments have paved the way to better understand Pakistani birds’ species, subspecies and breeds. This kind of study will also be helpful for other scientists to develop more genetic markers that will ultimately support the activities to conserve the biodiversity of the ecosystem and to study wildlife and indigenous avian fauna.
DR SEHRISH FIRYAL and DR ALI RAZA AWAN
IBB, UVAS, Lahore