We partially sequenced the mitochondrial hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) in 60 goats belonging to six Spanish breeds. The analysis of these and previously published sequences reveals a weak phylogeographical structure in the Iberian Peninsula breeds. Individuals from a single breed did not group into a single cluster. Furthermore, individuals from different breeds often shared single phylogenetic tree branches after UPGMA analysis. This could reflect the non-existence of breed isolation because of traditional seasonal pastoralism and annual long-distance migrations. Three goats belonging to the C maternal lineage were found, demonstrating a wider than previously thought distribution for this lineage.

The aim was to analyze the allelic and genotypic frequencies for two genes associated with tenderness of meat (CAPN1 and CAST) and one with fat deposits (DGAT1) in three endangered Spanish cattle breeds: Berrenda en Colorado (BC), Berrenda en Negro (BN), and Cardena Andaluza (CA) to utility of their involvement in the selection of them and to help the adoption of conservation measurement. Seventy-five males and 298 females of those breeds were genotyped. Genotypic and allelic frequencies for each polymorphic locus were estimated. There were significant differences in the genotypic frequencies among breeds in CAPN1 and DGTA1 genes and in the case of the genic frequencies in CAPN1, CAST, and DGAT1 genes. The three breeds analyzed (BC, BN, and CA) presented high allelic frequencies for the favorable allele of the three markers (from 0.41 to 0.75). The association between the favorable allele and meat quality must be confirmed. In cases of association with differences in quality meat, the absence of differences in the genotypic and genic frequency distributions between the sexes is advantageous in mating planning because it implies that there is no handicap to be overcome for the conservation program and it would allow the use of sires to promote the increase in improvements within a short period of time.

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IntroductionOver recent decades, the selective breeding of goats has given rise to such highly-specialized meat or dairy morphotypes that one single meat or dairy model applies to several breeds of each type and species. However, this high degree of specialization requires intensive rearing conditions. In contrast, breeds currently in danger of extinction are not subjected to this selective pressure, and retain the characteristics adapted to the environment in which they are located.The application of selection programs based on highproductivity criteria for these endangered breeds may seriously impair their ability to graze and to adapt to different environments. The in situ conservation of endangered breeds therefore requires the application of specific selection criteria based on those traits which enhance their adaptation to the farming system in which they are raised, since both environment and production purposes appear to influence breed morphostructure. Rodero et al. (2003) compared the morphostructural features of two Spanish dairy goat breeds with a view to identifying common selection criteria in terms of conformation, and applying valuation morphological lineal (VML), proposing two different models for each. For this purpose, as they commented, it is necessary to include traits of rump, chest and different perimeters.The growth of animals is influenced by environmental conditions such as food availability, climate, and ecological aspects, among others. On the other hand, the aptitude of a breed is closely linked to its origin, history and evolution in the environment where it was raised.In a previous study to identify native goat breeds in Jordan using morphostructural variables, Zaitoun et al. (2005) found that breeds tended to cluster as a function of purpose and farming system: dual-purpose breeds raised intensively were close to each other but distant from meat breeds raised under wholly-extensive farming systems.Morphostructural differences by location of herd have also been reported by Macciota et al. (2002) in the Sarda goat breed. Goats in coastal areas (i.e. 71.7 ± 2.9 cm of height at withers) displayed greater morphostructural measurements than those raised in Influence of farming system and production purpose on the morphostructure of Spanish goat breeds AbstractThe aim of this study was to examine the possible influence of farming systems, based on the morphostructure of 1,571 female goats drawn from 40 flocks containing seven Spanish breeds (Blanca Andaluza, Blanca Celtiberica, Negra Serrana, Pirenaica, Payoya, Murciano-Granadina and Malagueña) raised under four different farming systems. Analysis of morphometric variables showed that the morphostructure of native Spanish goat breeds was linked to the farming system used and thus to the production purpose. The morphostructure of grazing breeds may be more influenced by natural selection within the physical environment and less by human selection. That of stall-fed breeds, by contrast, reflects intense artificial selection aimed at achi...