Genetic diversity analysis of six Spanish native cattle breeds using microsatellites

Six native Spanish cattle breeds have been characterized by using 30 micros atellite markers. The studied populations can be divided into three groups: Brown orthoid (Asturian Mountain, Asturian Lowland and the Nordwest Brown Group), Red convex (Pyrenean and Menorquina) and the Iberian bovine (Fighti ng bull). Allele frequencies were calculated and used for the characterizat ion of the breeds and the study of their genetic relationships. Different g enetic distance measures were calculated and used for dendogram constructio n. The closest populations were those representing Asturian breeds, the mos t divergent being Menorquina and Fighting Bull. The latter also showed the lowest diversity values (mean number of alleles per locus and heterozygosit y). Genetic distances obtained between the other populations under analysis were similar to those reported for different European cattle breeds. This work analyzes the recent origin of these populations and contributes to the knowledge and genetic characterization of European native breeds.