Genetic Characterization of the “Chusca Lojana”, a Creole Goat Reared in Ecuador, and Its Relationship with Other Goat Breeds

Abstract

The largest population of goats (62%) in Ecuador is in the dry forest region in the south of the country. A Creole goat, named “Chusca Lojana”, has adapted to the dry forest region where environmental conditions are warm-dry, with sparse vegetation. Knowledge of the genetic information of the Creole goat is important to determine intra-racial diversity, the degree of genetic distance among other breeds of goats, and the possible substructure of the population, which is valuable for the conservation of such a species’ genetic resources. A total of 145 samples of the Creole goat was taken from the four biotypes previously identified. Genetic analyses were performed using 38 microsatellites recommended for studies of goat genetic diversity (FAO-ISAG). The results of within-breed genetic diversity showed a mean number of alleles per locus (MNA) of 8, an effective number of alleles (Ae) of 4.3, an expected heterozygosity (He) of 0.71, an observed heterozygosity (Ho) of 0.63, polymorphic information content (PIC) of 0.67, and an FIS value of 0.11. Between-breed genetic diversity among 43 goat populations (native of Spain, American Creole, Europeans, and Africans) showed the following values: FIS = 0.087, FIT = 0.176, and FST = 0.098. Regarding the analysis of the population structure, the results showed that the Creole Chusca Lojana goat population is homogeneous and no genetic separation was observed between the different biotypes (FST = 0.0073). In conclusion, the Chusca Lojana goat has a high genetic diversity, without exhibiting a genetic substructure. Therefore, it should be considered as a distinct population because crossbreeding with other breeds was not detected.

Genetic Characterization of a Sheep Population in Oaxaca, Mexico: The Chocholteca Creole

“…At present, one of the tools most widely used is the characterization of production animals through the employment of molecular markers, such as microsatellites, in order to determine their purity or degree of crossbreeding with other breeds, the genetic diversity within the same population, the level of endogamy, etc. [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to genetically characterize through microsatellites the Oaxacan Creole sheep, define whether it is a homogeneous breed and distanced from other native Spanish breeds, Creole breeds of América, as well as breeds common in México and Africa.…”

Apicomplexans in Goat: Prevalence of Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium spp., Eimeria spp. and Risk Factors in Farms from Ecuador

“…In the countries where the majority of goats are found, most farmers are of lower socioeconomic status; locally adapted goat breeds are raised for milk and meat, and in dry and drought-prone areas, goat milk is often the only protein source in children’s diets [ 15 ]. In Southern Ecuador, the province of Loja is characterized by a pronounced dry season and limited natural resources [ 16 ]. In Zapotillo Canton, most of the livestock activity corresponds to goat breeding: 28,000 goats are distributed in parishes named Limones (50.22%), Cazaderos (15.94%), Zapotillo (14.21%), Garza Real (10.97%), Paletillas (4.47%) and Bolaspamba (4.17%) [ 17 ].…”