Genetic relationships among A merican donkey populations: insights into the process of colonization

• Published in: Journal of animal breeding and genetics (1986) 2016-04, Vol.133 (2), p.155-164
• Main Authors: Jordana, J., Ferrando, A., Miró, J., Goyache, F., Loarca, A., Martínez López, O.R., Canelón, J.L., Stemmer, A., Aguirre, L., Lara, M.A.C., Álvarez, L.A., Llambí, S., Gómez, N., Gama, L.T., Nóvoa, M.F., Martínez, R.D., Pérez, E., Sierra, A., Contreras, M.A., Guastella, A.M., Marletta, D., Arsenos, G., Curik, I., Landi, V., Martínez, A., Delgado, J.V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0931-2668; 1439-0388
• DOI: 10.1111/jbg.12180

This study presents the first insights into the genetic diversity and structure of the A merican donkey metapopulation. The primary objectives were to detect the main structural features underlying variability among A merican donkey populations, identify boundaries between differentiated gene pools, and draw the main colonization pathways since the introduction of donkeys into A merica in the 15th century. A panel of 14 microsatellite markers was applied for genotyping 350 A merican donkeys from 13 countries. The genetic structure of this metapopulation was analysed using descriptive statistics and B ayesian model‐based methods. These populations were then compared to a database containing information on 476 individuals from 11 E uropean breeds to identify the most likely ancestral donor populations. Results showed the presence of two distinct genetic pools, with confluence of the two in C olombia. The southern pool showed a unique genetic signature subsequent to an older founder event, but lacked any significant influence of modern gene flow from E urope. The northern pool, conversely, may have retained more ancestral polymorphisms and/or have experienced modern gene flow from S panish breeds. The A ndalusian and, to a lesser extent, the C atalan breeds have left a more pronounced footprint in some of the A merican donkey populations analysed.