Nonconventional Animal Genetic Resources, Diversity, and Unique Features
摘要
The African continent abounds in rich faunal diversity, which should contribute significantly to human nutrition. Before the introduction and establishment of conventional livestock and farming systems, Africans fed on animals found in their environment. Here is a non-exhaustive list of some edible animals: gastropods (marine or terrestrial snails), amphibians, small mammals (grasscutters, porcupines, rabbits, etc.), and insects and their larvae (caterpillars, grasshoppers, palm weevil larvae, etc.).The development of conventional animal husbandry systems has resulted in the reduction or even the abandonment of the consumption of certain types of animals now called nonconventional livestock. However, the conventional livestock system struggles to meet the animal protein needs of the African population. In order to fill this shortage in animal proteins, Africans have turned to and are relearning to consume abandoned traditional animal resources. In this chapter, four species, namely the frog, land snail, rabbit, and honeybee, are highlighted.