PONE-D-20-16012

Origin, genetic diversity and evolution of Andaman Local Duck, a native duck germplasm of an insular region of India

PLOS ONE

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PLOS ONE

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Reviewer #1: Partly

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Comments to the Author

The manuscript entitled “Origin, genetic diversity and evolution of Andaman local duck, a native duck germplasm of an insular region of India” has been reviewed and sequences from the partial mt-DNA D-loop region were identified for the 71 Andaman local ducks and haplotype diversity was carried out by comparing existing haplotypes in GenBank. Authors concluded Andaman duck haplogroup belongs to the Eurasian clade that includes South east Asia as the main root of origin. In some reasons, this manuscript is useful for the conservation of the local duck species in India. However, in my point of view, the publication in the PLoS One Journal is not appropriate and it’s better to submit another Journal, focusing on the conservations of exotic species.

Major comments:

(1) The selected 71 Andaman local ducks are not sufficient for the phylogenetic analysis and it’s better to increase the number of samples. Also, details for sampling locations is necessary, you can include a supplementary figure for sample distribution of ALD (approximately 13 villages).

(2) It’s not relevant that authors conclude the local adaptation and resilient of ALD by sole evaluation of the D-loop. We must be considered genome level variation by using neutral or non-neutral markers that necessarily described the local adaptation, selection signature in this breed. if they have highly adapted to local condition in Andaman and Nicobar Island and happened to undergone natural selection it must be clear from their adaptive genetic variations also related fitness traits etc.

(3) Line 305-309, what are evidence for having high adaptation of these breeds to climatic change?

(4) Some of the paragraphs (310-333, & 334-361) in the discussion are more elaborate the origin of haplogroups, which are too long, delete less informative facts and rearrange.

(5) Its better if you could include the proportion of each breed within each haplogroup. In Fig 2, it is not clear what each color are represented for? Revise the Fig 2 with a key for each color code.

(6) I don’t think you need so much reiteration of the data in the results and discussion sections. Especially author repeats the results of haplo groups belongs to each cluster. Just give table number, the reader can look at the tables if they wish more details.

(7) No discussion is included regarding the divergence estimations between ALD and other mallard population (Fig. 6, Fig. 7). Authors need to emphasize the relevance of these results with natural selection for maintaining the genetic diversity in ADL.

(8) Did you consider any evidence for ancients’ population expansion for these populations?

Reviewer #2: Taking in a view of an endangered species it can be a good effort to understand genetic structure and relatives of species to save them from being extinct completely. After getting the genetic makeup of a species it will be helpful in reintroducing them in environment.

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: No

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Origin, genetic diversity and evolution of Andaman Local Duck, a native duck germplasm of an insular region of India

PONE-D-20-16012R1

Dear Dr. De,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

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Kind regards,

Gyaneshwer Chaubey, Ph.D.

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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