Physiological and Nutritional Adaptation Mechanisms of Domestic and Wild Animals in Upper Himalayan Region: A Review

Abstract

The upper Himalayan region's wild and domesticated animals have unique morphological, physiological, and dietary adaptations that allow them to survive in harsh weather. Specialized evolutionary mechanisms that promote thermoregulation, effective metabolic activities, and optimal nutrition assimilation are required because to the interplay of altitude, oxygen availability, temperature change, and unique dietary resources in these harsh environments. Yak (Bos grunniens), Churu, and Tibetan Wild Ass (Equus kiang) are among the 32 wild and 8 domestic animal species whose adaptive tactics are extensively examined in this analysis. These animals are resilient in high-altitude environments because of unique genetic and physiological changes they have experienced. Conservation biology, livestock management, and maintaining human populations that rely on these animals for agriculture all depend on an understanding of these adaptations. Understanding these adaptations is crucial for conservation biology, livestock management, and sustaining human populations dependent on these animals for agriculture, transportation, and ecological equilibrium in the region.