TY - JOUR
T1 - Genetic Footprints of Iberian Cattle in America 500 Years after the Arrival of Columbus
AU - Martínez, Amparo M.
AU - Gama, Luis T.
AU - Cañón, Javier
AU - Ginja, Catarina
AU - Delgado, Juan V.
AU - Dunner, Susana
AU - Landi, Vincenzo
AU - Martín-Burriel, Inmaculada
AU - Penedo, Cecilia
AU - Rodellar, Clementina
AU - Vega-Pla, Jose Luis
AU - Acosta, Atzel
AU - Álvarez, Luz A.
AU - Camacho, Esperanza
AU - Cortés, Oscar
AU - Marques, Jose R.
AU - Martínez, Roberto
AU - Martínez, Ruben D.
AU - Melucci, Lilia
AU - Martínez-Velázquez, Guillermo
AU - Muñoz, Jaime E.
AU - Postiglioni, Alicia
AU - Quiroz, Jorge
AU - Sponenberg, Philip
AU - Uffo, Odalys
AU - Villalobos, Axel
AU - Zambrano, Delsito
AU - Zaragoza, Pilar
PY - 2012/11/14
Y1 - 2012/11/14
N2 - Background: American Creole cattle presumably descend from animals imported from the Iberian Peninsula during the period of colonization and settlement, through different migration routes, and may have also suffered the influence of cattle directly imported from Africa. The introduction of European cattle, which began in the 18th century, and later of Zebu from India, has threatened the survival of Creole populations, some of which have nearly disappeared or were admixed with exotic breeds. Assessment of the genetic status of Creole cattle is essential for the establishment of conservation programs of these historical resources. Methodology/Principal Findings: We sampled 27 Creole populations, 39 Iberian, 9 European and 6 Zebu breeds. We used microsatellite markers to assess the origins of Creole cattle, and to investigate the influence of different breeds on their genetic make-up. The major ancestral contributions are from breeds of southern Spain and Portugal, in agreement with the historical ports of departure of ships sailing towards the Western Hemisphere. This Iberian contribution to Creoles may also include some African influence, given the influential role that African cattle have had in the development of Iberian breeds, but the possibility of a direct influence on Creoles of African cattle imported to America can not be discarded. In addition to the Iberian influence, the admixture with other European breeds was minor. The Creoles from tropical areas, especially those from the Caribbean, show clear signs of admixture with Zebu. Conclusions/Significance: Nearly five centuries since cattle were first brought to the Americas, Creoles still show a strong and predominant signature of their Iberian ancestors. Creole breeds differ widely from each other, both in genetic structure and influences from other breeds. Efforts are needed to avoid their extinction or further genetic erosion, which would compromise centuries of selective adaptation to a wide range of environmental conditions.
AB - Background: American Creole cattle presumably descend from animals imported from the Iberian Peninsula during the period of colonization and settlement, through different migration routes, and may have also suffered the influence of cattle directly imported from Africa. The introduction of European cattle, which began in the 18th century, and later of Zebu from India, has threatened the survival of Creole populations, some of which have nearly disappeared or were admixed with exotic breeds. Assessment of the genetic status of Creole cattle is essential for the establishment of conservation programs of these historical resources. Methodology/Principal Findings: We sampled 27 Creole populations, 39 Iberian, 9 European and 6 Zebu breeds. We used microsatellite markers to assess the origins of Creole cattle, and to investigate the influence of different breeds on their genetic make-up. The major ancestral contributions are from breeds of southern Spain and Portugal, in agreement with the historical ports of departure of ships sailing towards the Western Hemisphere. This Iberian contribution to Creoles may also include some African influence, given the influential role that African cattle have had in the development of Iberian breeds, but the possibility of a direct influence on Creoles of African cattle imported to America can not be discarded. In addition to the Iberian influence, the admixture with other European breeds was minor. The Creoles from tropical areas, especially those from the Caribbean, show clear signs of admixture with Zebu. Conclusions/Significance: Nearly five centuries since cattle were first brought to the Americas, Creoles still show a strong and predominant signature of their Iberian ancestors. Creole breeds differ widely from each other, both in genetic structure and influences from other breeds. Efforts are needed to avoid their extinction or further genetic erosion, which would compromise centuries of selective adaptation to a wide range of environmental conditions.
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U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0049066
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0049066
M3 - Article
C2 - 23155451
AN - SCOPUS:84869111117
VL - 7
JO - PLoS One
JF - PLoS One
SN - 1932-6203
IS - 11
M1 - e49066
ER -