Abstract
BackgroundIdentification of global livestock diversity hotspots and their importance in diversity maintenance is essential for making global conservation efforts. We screened 52 sheep breeds from the Eurasian subcontinent with 20 microsatellite markers. By estimating and weighting differently within- and between-breed genetic variation our aims were to identify genetic diversity hotspots and prioritize the importance of each breed for conservation, respectively. In addition we estimated how important within-species diversity hotspots are in livestock conservation.ResultsBayesian clustering analysis revealed three genetic clusters, termed Nordic, Composite and Fat-tailed. Southern breeds from close to the region of sheep domestication were more variable, but less genetically differentiated compared with more northern populations. Decreasing weight for within-breed diversity component led to very high representation of genetic clusters or regions containing more diverged breeds, but did not increase phenotypic diversity among the high ranked breeds. Sampling populations throughout 14 regional groups was suggested for maximized total genetic diversity.ConclusionsDuring initial steps of establishing a livestock conservation program populations from the diversity hot-spot area are the most important ones, but for the full design our results suggested that approximately equal population presentation across environments should be considered. Even in this case, higher per population emphasis in areas of high diversity is appropriate. The analysis was based on neutral data, but we have no reason to think the general trend is limited to this type of data. However, a comprehensive valuation of populations should balance production systems, phenotypic traits and available genetic information, and include consideration of probability of success.
Highlights
Identification of global livestock diversity hotspots and their importance in diversity maintenance is essential for making global conservation efforts
A northern Eurasian sheep stock formed some 6,000 years ago as sheep were brought to the British Isles, northern Europe and Russia after the expansion to the European continent via Danubian and Mediterranean routes [2], and a possible route through Russia [3]
Genetic diversity In total, 342 alleles were detected at the 20 microsatellite loci analyzed (Additional file 1: Table S1)
Summary
Identification of global livestock diversity hotspots and their importance in diversity maintenance is essential for making global conservation efforts. The use of a few highquality males for intense mating has resulted in the reduction of effective population size (Ne) over time and reduced genetic diversity within breeds [6]. These processes will lead to the decrease of effective population size of the entire species. This could restrict breeding options and genetic gain of breeding programs to the extent that unpredictable future requirements might not be met [6,7,8]. Breed conservation aims to maintain these options, but limited resources, e.g. financial limitation, might not allow conservation of all the breeds
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