Conservation priorities of genetic diversity in domesticated metapopulations: a study in taurine cattle breeds

Abstract

We estimated neutral diversity of 21 European cattle breeds with 105 microsatellites. Nine of them resembled unselected Balkan Buša strains with diffuse breeding barriers and the 12 others were strongly differentiated, isolated breeds. Because of the impact of neutral genetic diversity on long-term population adaptive capacity, we discuss the long-term outcome of different conservation priorities in a subdivided metapopulation of the investigated cattle breeds. The optimal contribution to a pool of total genetic diversity allocated more than 95% of long-term relevant neutral diversity to virtually unselected strains of the Balkan Buša, while the maximization of total variance preferred inbred breeds. Current artificial selection methods, such as genomic selection sped up and a recovery of underestimated traits becomes quickly impossible. We emphasize that currently neutral and even deleterious alleles might be required for future genotypes in sustainable and efficient livestock breeding and production systems of a 21st century. We provide cumulative evidences that long-term survival relies on genetic complexity and complexity relies on allelic diversity. Our results suggest that virtually unselected, nonuniform strains harbor a crucial proportion of neutral diversity and should be conserved with high global priority. As one example, we suggest a cooperative maintenance of the nondifferentiated, highly fragmented, and fast vanishing metapopulation of Balkan Buša.

Temporal Variation in Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Burlina Cattle Breed

“…Despite its very small population size, the mean values of Ho and He in BUR were relatively high (0.634±0.165 and 0.678±0.141, respectively). Estimates were closer to values recently obtained for other local/native breeds (Medugorac et al, 2011;Delgado et al, 2011;Acosta et al, 2012;Bozzi et al, 2012) rather than to those obtained for more widespread commercial populations (Maretto et al, 2012). These results could be explained by the fact that BUR breed has always been reared by small breeders following their own separated breeding schemes with the use of their own sires and to its late enrollment in the Italian Herd Book, therefore maintaining sufficient diversity parameters.…”

Mitochondrial DNA-based genetic evaluation of autochthonous cattle breeds in Croatia

“…The large genetic diversity preserved in the BU population was also confirmed by and Ramljak et al (2011), by microsatellite analysis. Medugorac et al (2011) observed several "metapopulations" of shorthorn cattle (B. brachiceros) related to Croatian Busha within the Balkan migration routes. Such related populations are valuable for conservation programs, especially in order to maintain a minimum level of inbreeding, i.e.…”

Novel Graphical Analyses of Runs of Homozygosity among Species and Livestock Breeds

“…For livestock, the incidence of disease associated with intensive production has increased among several breeds [32], such as Holstein and Jersey [33–35]. Additionally, important traits, such as adaptation to low-quality food resources, parasites, and tolerance to disease and temperature fluctuations may be found mostly in native breeds [36].…”