CSIP: PRELIMS BOOSTER SERIES-398 ENVIRONMENT

News

MAURITIAN DODO

WHY IN NEWS?

Conservationists are  collaborating to reintroduce extinct dodo in its native habitat Mauritius

ABOUT

  • Scientifically known as Raphus Cucullatus, the Dodo is a large flightless bird native to Mauritius in Indian Ocean

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

  • One meter tall
  • Weighs 10 to 18 kgs
  • Large beak stubby wings

 REASONS FOR EXTINCTION

  • Hunting by humans
  • Habitat destruction due to urbanization
  • Competition from species like rats, monkeys etc.

 SCIENTIFIC TECHNIQUES INVOLVED

  • Genome sequencing: Blueprinting dodo’s genome from museum species
  • Gene editing: Editing primordial germ cells of Nicobar pigeons to get dodo’s genome
  • Interspecies surrogacy: Inserting edited germ cells into Chicken embryo for surrogacy

 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT

  • Ecosystem restoration particularly in seed dispersal
  • Development of conservation technology to aid conserving other endangered species
  • Symbolic value for raising public awareness.