Pedigree analyses of the Zatorska goose population

Abstract

The structure of the Zatorska breed was estimated in the context of the realized conservation program. The level of genetic diversity and effective population size were estimated as well. The following parameters were evaluated: pedigree completeness index, genetic diversity, inbreeding level, individual increase in inbreeding, generation interval, and parameters connected with general condition of the population. The whole population of the Zatorska breed was housed in an experimental farm of the University of Agriculture in Cracow (Poland). Records were extracted from the studbook. Totally 5514 individuals hatched between 1990-2013 (2835 males and 2679 females) were included in the analysis. The average number of discrete generation equivalents reached 3.76, whereas the maximum discrete generation equivalent was 9.98. The average inbreeding level was low amounting to 1.46% for the whole population and 3.02% for the inbred individuals. The average pedigree completeness index for five generations reached 59.12%, for 10 generations 37.39%, and for all 16 generations it was 23.53%. The average effective population size was estimated from the family size variance and amounted to 67.36 individuals. It can be concluded that the conservation breeding program in the Zatorska goose has been going on well. This is confirmed by the magnitude of obtained estimates of parameters such as a low inbreeding level across generations under satisfactory pedigree completeness. On the other hand, the structure of a small population may be liable to fluctuations. Hence, continuous monitoring of the endangered population (including molecular control) seems to be necessary.