A statistical analysis of population variability in Bronze Turkey considering gene conservation

Abstract

Genetic variability is very important in small populations. We examined an indigenous Bronze Turkey population which is bred for gene conservation in order to see if the current mating system maintains genetic variability. The present generation was surveyed using microsatellite markers and a computer model was used to simulate changes in the population over 100 generations. The data was analysed using the concept of entrophy from information theory instead of genetic variance so that we could measure genetic variability more accurately. The results indicate that the breeding method currently in use, rotational line mating, is acceptable with respect to preserving genetic variability, but new selection methods may provide additional protection against the loss of alleles.

Consequences for diversity when animals are prioritized for conservation of the whole genome or of one specific allele

“…Examples are the conservation of the curly coat gene in horses (Thomas ), the conservation of bronze turkeys (Szoke et al . ) and the conservation of different blood groups in cattle (Buys ). With the development of molecular techniques, sometimes genotypes at a single locus can be the focus of selection as well.…”

“…In practice, conservation of animals is not only guided by optimal contributions, but often by a specific phenotype that might be affected by a single or a few genes. Examples are the conservation of the curly coat gene in horses (Thomas 1990), the conservation of bronze turkeys (Szoke et al 2004) and the conservation of different blood groups in cattle (Buys 1990). With the development of molecular techniques, sometimes genotypes at a single locus can be the focus of selection as well.…”

Growth curve establishment for American Bronze turkeys (short communication)

“…The Richards' model is a more flexible and generalized four-parameter function with a variable inflection point that provides a more complete description of growth process in a variety of animal species (VON ROSEN, 1991;GOONEWARDENE et al, 2003). Though there are many studies aiming at evaluating growth models, the number of studies targeting growth models in turkeys (SALOMON et al, 1987;EMMANS, 1989;ANTONY et al, 1991;HURWITZ, 1991;ANDRASSY-BAKA et al, 2003;SZÖKE et al, 2004) is quite limited as compared to other poultry species (HAVENSTEIN et al, 1994;MARUYAMA et al, 1999;AGGREY, 2004). The main purpose of this study was to estimate the growth curve parameters for American Bronze turkeys in semi-intensive conditions.…”

Genome Mapping and Genomics in Domestic Animals

“…In fact, the majority of nonmapping marker applications have been for parentage testing ) and population genetic evaluations of commercial (Szöke et al 2004;Smith et al 2005) and wild turkeys (Latch et al 2002;Mock et al 2002). In fact, the majority of nonmapping marker applications have been for parentage testing ) and population genetic evaluations of commercial (Szöke et al 2004;Smith et al 2005) and wild turkeys (Latch et al 2002;Mock et al 2002).…”