Geographical patterning of sixteen goat breeds from Italy, Albania and Greece assessed by Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>SNP data of goats of three Mediterranean countries were used for population studies and reconstruction of geographical patterning. 496 individuals belonging to Italian, Albanian and Greek breeds were genotyped to assess the basic population parameters.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 26 SNPs were used, for a total of 12,896 genotypes assayed. Statistical analysis revealed that breeds are not so similar in terms of genetic variability, as reported in studies performed using different markers. The Mantel test showed a strongly significant correlation between genetic and geographic distance. Also, PCA analysis revealed that breeds are grouped according to geographical origin, with the exception of the Greek Skopelos breed.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our data point out that the use of SNP markers to analyze a wider breed sample could help in understanding the recent evolutionary history of domestic goats. We found correlation between genetic diversity and geographic distance. Also PCA analysis shows that the breeds are well differentiated, with good correspondence to geographical locations, thus confirming the correlation between geographical and genetic distances. This suggests that migration history of the species played a pivotal role in the present-day structure of the breeds and a scenario in which coastal routes were easier for migrating in comparison with inland routes. A westward coastal route to Italy through Greece could have led to gene flow along the Northern Mediterranean.</p

Microsatellite diversity of the Nordic type of goats in relation to breed conservation: how relevant is pure ancestry?

In the last decades, several endangered breeds of livestock species have been re-established effectively. However, the successful revival of the Dutch and Danish Landrace goats involved crossing with exotic breeds and the ancestry of the current populations is therefore not clear. We have generated genotypes for 27 FAO-recommended microsatellites of these landraces and three phenotypically similar Nordic-type landraces and compared these breeds with central European, Mediterranean and south-west Asian goats. We found decreasing levels of genetic diversity with increasing distance from the south-west Asian domestication site with a south-east-to-north-west cline that is clearly steeper than the Mediterranean east-to-west cline. In terms of genetic diversity, the Dutch Landrace comes next to the isolated Icelandic breed, which has an extremely low diversity. The Norwegian coastal goat and the Finnish and Icelandic landraces are clearly related. It appears that by a combination of mixed origin and a population bottleneck, the Dutch and Danish Land-races are separated from the other breeds. However, the current Dutch and Danish populations with the multicoloured and long-horned appearance effectively substitute for the original breed, illustrating that for conservation of cultural heritage, the phenotype of a breed is more relevant than pure ancestry and the genetic diversity of the original breed. More in general, we propose that for conservation, the retention of genetic diversity of an original breed and of the visual phenotype by which the breed is recognized and defined needs to be considered separately

Adding value to local breeds: Challenges, strategies and key factors

This paper analyzes the articles published in this special issue and also some material presented at the Session “Strategies to add value to local breeds” of the 61st Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP) (August, 2010, Crete, Greece)1 or at other workshops dealing with the issue of adding value to local breeds. The analysis refers to the challenges facing local breeds and the different strategies that can be used to increase their value and thereby enhance their sustainability. These strategies can be categorized, inter alia, according to the species, the specific characteristics of the targeted breeds or production systems, the existence or absence of markets and the characteristics and dynamics of the breeders and other stakeholders. The paper is structured as follows: presentation of an overview of the challenges involved; this is followed by a discussion of strategies for adding value to breeds, which is illustrated with examples; an analysis of the key factors affecting such strategies and ends with some conclusions. Questions remain regarding the society's responsibility for providing support to farmers that keep local breeds that are at risk of extinction and regarding what actions are appropriate when such a breed that was once at risk becomes self-sustainable or, in contrast, when a breed ceases to be self-sustained.Cet article analyse les articles composant ce numéro spécial ainsi que quelques matériaux additionnels présentés dans la session “Stratégies pour ajouter de la valeur aux races locales” du 61ème congrès de la FEZ (Août 2010 dans l'île de Crète en Grèce)1, ou dans d'autres ateliers traitant de ce thème. L'analyse s'appuie sur les enjeux qu'affrontent les races locales, les diverses stratégies envisageables pour accroître leur valeur en promouvant leur utilisation et en soulignant leur intérêt pour la durabilité. On peut classer ces stratégies dans différentes catégories, selon les espèces, les caractéristiques spécifiques des races et des systèmes de production, l'existence de marchés, les dynamiques des éleveurs et d'autres porteurs d'enjeux. L'article est structuré par une introduction qui discute les différents enjeux puis la description des stratégies illustrées par des exemples, et enfin l'analyse des facteurs-clés qui influent sur ces stratégies et les conclusions. La discussion des facteurs-clés est organisée autour de leur impact sur les stratégies pour ajouter de la valeur aux races locales. Demeure questionnée la responsabilité de la société pour soutenir les éleveurs qui maintiennent les races locales, pour assurer des solutions aux races qui atteignent un degré de durabilité par leurs propres moyens, ou au contraire qui n'y parviennent pas

Les interactions entre la valorisation des produits et la gestion génétique : Application d’un cadre commun pour analyser quatre cas de races locales ovines et caprines dans la région méditerranéenne

National audienceIn the Domestic project, funded within the ARIMNet framework, we have conducted an analysis of four case studies of valorisation of products from local sheep and/or goat breeds in Cyprus, France (Corsican region), Greece (Ipeiros region) and Morocco. For each case, data were collected from experts concerning the collective organization of both local breed management and product valorisation. These data were analysed using the same framework, which was built aiming to take into account the animal population dynamics, the breed’ products, and the stakeholder dynamics. The crossed analysis of the cases underlines the diversity of stakes for product valorisation that depends on the breed status and the type of product. We also investigat- ed the importance of the degree of formalization of the link between the breed and the product (through a geo- graphical indication for instance), and we concluded with a comparison of the organizational and social aspects of the interactions between local breed management and product valorisation in the four cases.Au sein du projet Domestic, financé dans le cadre d’ARIMNet, nous avons mené une analyse de quatre cas d’étude de valorisation des produits de races locales ovines et/ou caprines à Chypre, en France (région Corse), en Grèce (région d’Ipeiros) et au Maroc. Pour chaque cas, des données ont été collectées auprès d’experts concernant l’organisation collective de la gestion des races locales et de la valorisation des produits. Ces données ont été analysées en utilisant le même cadre, qui avait été construit afin de prendre en compte de la dynamique de la population animale, des produits des races, et de la dynamique des par- ties prenantes. L’analyse transversale des cas souligne la diversité des enjeux pour la valorisation des pro- duits qui dépend du statut de la race et du type de produit. Nous avons également étudié l’importance du degré de formalisation du lien entre la race et le produit (à travers une indication géographique par exem- ple), et nous concluons sur une comparaison des aspects organisationnels et sociaux des interactions entre gestion de races locales et valorisation des produits dans les quatre cas

Meat Quality in Katerini and Podolian Young Bulls Raised on Pasture: A Comparison between Organic Production Systems in Greek and Italian Environments

Simple Summary Katerini cattle is an autochthonous Greek breed considered at high risk of extinction, given the uncontrolled introduction of foreign breeds into local herds and the lack of a national program aiming at monitoring cross-breeding in local populations. As a consequence, Greece has committed to international treaties to create the necessary infrastructure and to prepare a national strategy for the development of actions able to protect indigenous genetic resources and agricultural biodiversity and to participate in cooperation networks, both at a national and global level. This study provides information, which may contribute to the rescue and valorization of the autochthonous Greek Katerini breed through the protection and preservation of biodiversity, as well as an increase in the productivity of farmed animals.Abstract Local and typical agri-food products (TAP) are receiving increasing interest from consumers, since they are perceived as genuine, healthy and tasty because they are produced under environmentally friendly farming systems. This has aroused a renewed interest among breeders from the inner regions of Italy and Greece toward autochthonous animal populations, such as Greek Katerini and Italian Podolian cattle. Twenty animals were used, divided into two homogeneous groups of ten subjects per each genotype. Animals were fed only on natural pasture and were slaughtered at 18 months of age. Meat from the Katerini young bulls showed a lower a* value, higher moisture and was leaner, and its fat was richer in n-3 fatty acids and had a better n-6/n-3 ratio. Meat from Podolian young bulls was more tender and showed a higher redness value and a significantly greater MUFA concentration. This preliminary study provides a contribution to the local actors and relevant authorities to develop a conservation program for the endangered Katerini breed based on the nutritional and sensorial characterization of its products

Dairy sheep farmers cope with production and adaptation through breeding management at flock level

International audienc