CONSERVATION GENETICS OF NATIVE BREEDS - THE ARGENTINE CREOLE CATTLE

During the last felv years, the study of biological diversity has beco me an important in the management of the conservation and prevention o f extinction of both wild and domestic species. About one third of the 3213 domestic breeds currently estimated to exist are at risk of exti nction. Conservation Genetics allows the understanding of the signific ance of genetic diversity (a fundamental feature for the long term sur vival of species) in defining management strategies. The Argentinian C reole Breed is presented as an example of holy the characterization of native breeds through molecular genetic markers could support managem ent strategies to preserve local genetic resources.