Endangered Rare Livestock Breeds

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Welfare".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 November 2021) | Viewed by 8201

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department for Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1078 Budapest, Hungary
Interests: animal breeding; local breeds; phylogenetics; animal health; food safety
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This issue seeks to address the topic of endangered domestic animal breeds as comprehensively as possible. Accordingly, future authors are encouraged to develop the following sub-areas that can be related more closely and seemingly loosely. The editors intend to publish manuscripts in the fields of population genetics (e.g., population structure, pedigree analysis), polymorphism research (e.g., biochemical and DNA), and the detection of genes and their expression of special traits (e.g., resistance, color). They provide a space to demonstrate biotechnological methods (e.g., artificial insemination, methods in cryopreservation) and precision farming (e.g., electric numbering, on-line monitoring) rightly focusing on breed maintenance, and the health management of extensively kept animals.

Papers are expected on the history and organization of breed protection (local, regional, and international), and breeding strategies that take into account local and global diversity. Communications dealing with the diverse features and multiplex use of old varieties should not be left out, not only from the production (milk, meat-yoke, etc.) point of view, but also from a tourism, environmental, and social (e.g., subsidy, production-related assets and traditions) point of view.

The editors welcome manuscripts that include both literature reviews and research results obtained in the given field.

Dr. András Gáspárdy
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • genetic diversity
  • pedigree analysis
  • cryo-preservation
  • grade of endangerment
  • seasonality
  • extensive production
  • multipurpose breeds
  • breed specific alleles

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 938 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Maternal Genetic Background of Two Hungarian Autochthonous Sheep Breeds Coming from Different Geographical Directions
by András Gáspárdy, Petra Zenke, Endre Kovács, Kata Annus, János Posta, László Sáfár and Ákos Maróti-Agóts
Animals 2022, 12(3), 218; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12030218 - 18 Jan 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2427
Abstract
The aim of our research was the evaluation of the maternal genetic background of two Hungarian autochthonous sheep breeds of different geographical origin. A major argument for the preservation of endangered animal breeds is their documented past and historical importance. These also include [...] Read more.
The aim of our research was the evaluation of the maternal genetic background of two Hungarian autochthonous sheep breeds of different geographical origin. A major argument for the preservation of endangered animal breeds is their documented past and historical importance. These also include the registration of pedigree data. This is the first study to evaluate and compare Tsigai and Cikta sheep in Hungary. Our investigation is based on two complete sequences of mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome b gene and control region). Our research was performed on these two sheep breeds with markedly different breed histories and breed characteristics to determine a possible common maternal genetic background, as ultimately the origin of both breeds can be traced back to Asia Minor. Between 2015 and 2017, a total of 203 biological samples were taken using a newly introduced founder sampling method. We found that the prevailing haplogroup B accounted for over 80% of both breeds, strengthening the common ancestral root. However, the pairwise genetic differentiation estimates (KST) calculated using the sequence-based statistics for cytochrome b gene and control region were 0.034 and 0.021, respectively (both at level p < 0.05); thus, revealing genetic differentiation in both sequences between the Tsigai and Cikta. We note that the known different history of the breeds is clearly justified by the currently studied deviations in their maternal genetic background. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Endangered Rare Livestock Breeds)
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16 pages, 1097 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of the Conservation Status of the Croatian Posavina Horse Breed Based on Pedigree and Microsatellite Data
by Ante Ivanković, Giovanni Bittante, Miljenko Konjačić, Nikolina Kelava Ugarković, Mateja Pećina and Jelena Ramljak
Animals 2021, 11(7), 2130; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11072130 - 18 Jul 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4281
Abstract
The Croatian Posavina horse (CPH) is native Croatian breed under a conservation program and under various programs of economic use (ecosystem services, agrotourism, and meat production). The aim of this study was to analyze the status of the CPH population through an analysis [...] Read more.
The Croatian Posavina horse (CPH) is native Croatian breed under a conservation program and under various programs of economic use (ecosystem services, agrotourism, and meat production). The aim of this study was to analyze the status of the CPH population through an analysis of their pedigree (28,483 records), phenotype (292 licensed stallions, 255 mares), and genetic structure (292 licensed stallions). The average generation interval was 8.20 years, and the number of complete generations was 1.66. The effective number of founders and ancestors was 138 and 107, respectively, with a ratio of 1.29, and the genetic conservation index was 4.46. As for the morphometric characteristics, the average withers height of the stallions was 142.79 cm, the chest circumference was 194.28 cm, and the cannon bone circumference was 22.34. In mares, the withers height, chest, and cannon bone circumference were lower (139.71 cm, 190.30 cm, and 20.94 cm, respectively). Genetic microsatellite analysis of the 29 sire-lines showed high genetic diversity, expressed as the mean allele number (7.7), allele richness (4.0), and expected heterozygosity (0.740). There was no evidence of high inbreeding or a genetic bottleneck. The genetic and phenotypic data indicate that the CPH is an important and diverse reservoir of genetic diversity and can be conserved because of its special characteristics (adaptability). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Endangered Rare Livestock Breeds)
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