**4.6 Haplogroup dispersion**

For phylogenetic relationship between mitochondrial haplogroups of domestic sheep Meadows et al. [46] observed the greatest distance between B and C (nucleotide difference, D = 163.5), closely followed by B–E and C–D (D = 162.0, identically). The lowest number of nucleotide differences was 93.0 and 58.5 between A and B, and C and E, respectively. **Table 2** reveals the genetic distance between domestic sheep haplogroups in addition to Urial, Argali to us.


*The average number of nucleotide differences (D) is given below the diagonal and nucleotide substitutions per site (K, given as a percentage) are given above the diagonal for the full mitochondrial sequence after removal of both indels and the repetitive component of the control region.*

#### **Table 2.**

*Genetic diversity observed between domestic and wild sheep mitogenomes [46].*

The distinct haplogroup diversity of sheep mtDNA is comparable with what is observed in goats and cattle, although the divergence of sheep haplogroups is less pronounced than the *taurine–zebu* divergence [63]. Also, sheep haplogroups show little association with the geographical origin, in contrast to bovine haplotypes. A given sheep haplogroup can assume several regions of origin, or the coexistence of several different maternal lineages in a domestication centre can be suspected.

#### *4.6.1 Haplogroups A, B, C, D, and E in Asia*

In a today phylogenetic study of Ganbold et al. [64] revealed three haplogroups (A, B, and C) in Mongolian native sheep. The Mongolian Plateau, as mentioned above played a determining role in the arrival of sheep in eastern Asia. And, as a consequence of it, they observed a small genetic differentiation between breeds from Mongolia and China.

The Moghani sheep of Iranian plateau was identified in haplogroup A [65].

Haplogroups D and E are the least frequent and have only been identified in samples from Turkey and the Caucasus [66, 67]. Slowly, haplogroup E was detected also in Iran [68]. In a paper of Liu et al. [69], the proportion of haplotypes of lineage D was 0.157% in Tibetan sheep, further demonstrating that lineage D is the rarest of the mtDNA lineages.

#### *4.6.2 Haplogroups A, B, C, and D in Europe*

Haplogroup B is scattered in numerous countries of Europe (e.g. [57, 70]. The haplogroup B seems to be expanded around 6,400 years ago and reached Western Europe before the haplogroup A [48].

Within Europe haplogroup C has been found, so far, only on the Iberian Peninsula (in Portugal [71] and in Spain [72]) and in the southern countries of the Balkan Peninsula (in Albania and Greece [73]. Haplogroup D is present in Italy in breeds Bergamasca and Laticauda [74].

#### *4.6.3 Haplogroups B and C in Africa*

Haplogroup B is also dominant in Africa as it was revealed in some today publications: in Benin in breed Djalonke [75], in Mauritania in breeds Peul and

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Touareg [76], in Somalia and Kenya in Red Massai and Blackhead, respectively

Ghernouti et al. [79] found thin-tailed Arabic breeds in Algeria belong to haplogroup B (87%) and C (13%). Authors believe the presence of haplogroup C in breed Ouled Djellal is a proof of the Middle Eastern origin of that breed. The haplotype C, also identified in Egyptian breeds is in agreement with the assumption of early spread in sheep [78]. Studying the Siroua sheep in Morocco two haplogroups (haplogroups B and C) were also identified by Kandoussi et al. [80] with a pre-

Analyzing mtDNA control region of 40 unrelated domestic sheep in Mexico, Campos et al. [81] revealed 31 different haplotypes with 74 polymorphic sites. The phylogenetic analysis identified all Mexican sheep as belonging to haplogroup B. Sheep from other American regions (Brasilia and Cuba) in that analysis made sure the high frequency of an ancestral haplotype (h15) in Ibero-American countries as

Revelo et al. [82] identified the Creole sheep as exclusive haplogroup B, and justified that the two seriously different types of Creole sheep (wooly and hairy) of

Hiendleder et al. [54] suggest that the high frequency of haplogroup A (beside B) in New Zealand resulted from early imports of fat-tailed Indian sheep (beside mouflon specimens) into Australia in accordance with the sheep stream hypothesis.

With the third of the aforementioned goals of mitochondrial research, we can relate that subchapter the most. In characterizing the haplotypes of the breeds and comparing them with each other, CR may fulfill the expectations placed on it. Going further, CR can also gain ground in research into the genetic structure of the

D-loop of two Tibetan sheep breeds was analyzed by Wang et al. [83]. The length

of the D-loop sequences varied considerably (between 1,107 bp and 1,259 bp) according to the copy numbers of a 75 bp tandem repeat located from 640 bp to 1,140 bp. That variability was most characteristic for haplogroup C, less so for A and B. Fu's test showed that the populations had not been expanded historically (0.10 > p > 0.05). Results are useful for the conservation and utilization of Chinese

In randomly collected samples of four Nigerian breeds 96 haplotypes were observed with a high mean haplotype diversity of 0.899 ± 0.148. The high percent of variation (99.77) found by Agaviezor et al. [84] within populations indicates common origin of these breeds. However, the evolutionary divergence of the breeds (Yankasa, West African Dwarf, Balami, and Uda) based on mitochondrial DNA D-loop sequence may be coincident with their geographical distribution in Nigeria. Arora et al. [85] compared 19 Iranian sheep breeds in their extended CR study. They confirmed the majority of the breeds belong to haplogroup A solely, and five breeds appear with of haplogroup B as well. Both haplogroups show unimodal patterns of mismatch distribution curves, and the significant minus FS statistics values

indicate population expansion in Indian sheep population.

Colombia descent from an Iberian and an African ancestor.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95768*

dominance of haplogroup B.

*4.6.4 Haplogroup B in America*

*4.6.5 Haplogroup A and B in Australia*

breed (sub-breed, variety, family).

**4.7 Haplotype diversity**

sheep genetic resources.

well.

[77], and in Egypt in Barki and Ossimi breeds [78].

#### *Reality of Mitogenome Investigation in Preservation of Native Domestic Sheep Breeds DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95768*

Touareg [76], in Somalia and Kenya in Red Massai and Blackhead, respectively [77], and in Egypt in Barki and Ossimi breeds [78].

Ghernouti et al. [79] found thin-tailed Arabic breeds in Algeria belong to haplogroup B (87%) and C (13%). Authors believe the presence of haplogroup C in breed Ouled Djellal is a proof of the Middle Eastern origin of that breed. The haplotype C, also identified in Egyptian breeds is in agreement with the assumption of early spread in sheep [78]. Studying the Siroua sheep in Morocco two haplogroups (haplogroups B and C) were also identified by Kandoussi et al. [80] with a predominance of haplogroup B.

#### *4.6.4 Haplogroup B in America*

*Landraces - Traditional Variety and Natural Breed*

*4.6.1 Haplogroups A, B, C, D, and E in Asia*

*indels and the repetitive component of the control region.*

*Genetic diversity observed between domestic and wild sheep mitogenomes [46].*

**Table 2.**

*4.6.2 Haplogroups A, B, C, and D in Europe*

Europe before the haplogroup A [48].

breeds Bergamasca and Laticauda [74].

*4.6.3 Haplogroups B and C in Africa*

from Mongolia and China.

of the mtDNA lineages.

The distinct haplogroup diversity of sheep mtDNA is comparable with what is observed in goats and cattle, although the divergence of sheep haplogroups is less pronounced than the *taurine–zebu* divergence [63]. Also, sheep haplogroups show little association with the geographical origin, in contrast to bovine haplotypes. A given sheep haplogroup can assume several regions of origin, or the coexistence of several different maternal lineages in a domestication centre can be suspected.

**HA HB HC HD HE Mouflon Urial Argali**

HA — 0.57 0.93 0.75 0.90 0.58 2.19 2.53 HB 93 — 1.01 0.81 1.00 0.07 2.31 2.59 HC 150.5 163.5 — 1.00 0.36 1.00 2.33 2.65 HD 122.5 131.5 162 — 0.98 0.81 2.27 2.61 HE 147 162 58.5 159.5 — 0.98 2.30 2.63 Mouflon 94 11 162.5 131.5 160 — 2.31 2.60 Urial 357.7 377 380.3 370.5 375.7 377.3 — 2.32 Argali 413 423 433 425.5 429 424 379 — *The average number of nucleotide differences (D) is given below the diagonal and nucleotide substitutions per site (K, given as a percentage) are given above the diagonal for the full mitochondrial sequence after removal of both* 

In a today phylogenetic study of Ganbold et al. [64] revealed three haplogroups (A, B, and C) in Mongolian native sheep. The Mongolian Plateau, as mentioned above played a determining role in the arrival of sheep in eastern Asia. And, as a consequence of it, they observed a small genetic differentiation between breeds

The Moghani sheep of Iranian plateau was identified in haplogroup A [65]. Haplogroups D and E are the least frequent and have only been identified in samples from Turkey and the Caucasus [66, 67]. Slowly, haplogroup E was detected also in Iran [68]. In a paper of Liu et al. [69], the proportion of haplotypes of lineage D was 0.157% in Tibetan sheep, further demonstrating that lineage D is the rarest

Haplogroup B is scattered in numerous countries of Europe (e.g. [57, 70]. The haplogroup B seems to be expanded around 6,400 years ago and reached Western

Within Europe haplogroup C has been found, so far, only on the Iberian Peninsula (in Portugal [71] and in Spain [72]) and in the southern countries of the Balkan Peninsula (in Albania and Greece [73]. Haplogroup D is present in Italy in

Haplogroup B is also dominant in Africa as it was revealed in some today publications: in Benin in breed Djalonke [75], in Mauritania in breeds Peul and

**188**

Analyzing mtDNA control region of 40 unrelated domestic sheep in Mexico, Campos et al. [81] revealed 31 different haplotypes with 74 polymorphic sites. The phylogenetic analysis identified all Mexican sheep as belonging to haplogroup B. Sheep from other American regions (Brasilia and Cuba) in that analysis made sure the high frequency of an ancestral haplotype (h15) in Ibero-American countries as well.

Revelo et al. [82] identified the Creole sheep as exclusive haplogroup B, and justified that the two seriously different types of Creole sheep (wooly and hairy) of Colombia descent from an Iberian and an African ancestor.

#### *4.6.5 Haplogroup A and B in Australia*

Hiendleder et al. [54] suggest that the high frequency of haplogroup A (beside B) in New Zealand resulted from early imports of fat-tailed Indian sheep (beside mouflon specimens) into Australia in accordance with the sheep stream hypothesis.

#### **4.7 Haplotype diversity**

With the third of the aforementioned goals of mitochondrial research, we can relate that subchapter the most. In characterizing the haplotypes of the breeds and comparing them with each other, CR may fulfill the expectations placed on it. Going further, CR can also gain ground in research into the genetic structure of the breed (sub-breed, variety, family).

D-loop of two Tibetan sheep breeds was analyzed by Wang et al. [83]. The length of the D-loop sequences varied considerably (between 1,107 bp and 1,259 bp) according to the copy numbers of a 75 bp tandem repeat located from 640 bp to 1,140 bp. That variability was most characteristic for haplogroup C, less so for A and B. Fu's test showed that the populations had not been expanded historically (0.10 > p > 0.05). Results are useful for the conservation and utilization of Chinese sheep genetic resources.

In randomly collected samples of four Nigerian breeds 96 haplotypes were observed with a high mean haplotype diversity of 0.899 ± 0.148. The high percent of variation (99.77) found by Agaviezor et al. [84] within populations indicates common origin of these breeds. However, the evolutionary divergence of the breeds (Yankasa, West African Dwarf, Balami, and Uda) based on mitochondrial DNA D-loop sequence may be coincident with their geographical distribution in Nigeria.

Arora et al. [85] compared 19 Iranian sheep breeds in their extended CR study. They confirmed the majority of the breeds belong to haplogroup A solely, and five breeds appear with of haplogroup B as well. Both haplogroups show unimodal patterns of mismatch distribution curves, and the significant minus FS statistics values indicate population expansion in Indian sheep population.

The control region of mtDNA showed polymorphisms at 32 sites in the Hungarian Cikta evaluated by Kovács et al. [86]. However, herds shared 24 polymorphic sites, so the maternal background of the Cikta appears to be genetically uniform. The total number of haplotypes were 13, furthermore, most of the samples belonged to the haplogroup B of sheep. The average number of pairwise differences (k) and the average nucleotide diversity (π) were 6.863 and 5.95 × 10–3, respectively. The values of the Cikta population were not significant (p < 0.10) neither by the Tajima D-test (0.107) nor by Fu's Fs statistics (2.533), meaning that the greatly reduced population size of the breed known from the breed history did not cause genetic drift, it is in genetic equilibrium regarding its ancient families. The Cikta shown some degree of genetic narrowing based on Cyt b gene [87]. However, the average number of pairwise nucleotide differences is relatively high, which indicates different genetic characteristics of the families occurring in the farms.

Kusza et al. [88] investigated the two variants of Wallachian sheep by country sequencing 599 bps of the D-loop region. They isolated altogether, 42 haplotypes, of which 23 were common in both eco-types. Since they estimated a very low level of genetic differentiation between the Gyimesi Racka (in Hungary) and Turcana (in Rumania) breeds, therefore these are really two variants of one transboundary breed.

According to the haplotype diversity results Kirikci et al. [89] stated the Karayaka breed from Northern Anatolia cannot be categorized as a genetically homogeneous population. That breed not only has not suffered from a genetic bottle neck effect, but even has four different haplogroups (A, B, C, and E).

## **5. Animal genetic resources**

Term animal genetic resources is defined shortly as a potential of domestic animals that is used for production of food and fiber [90]. Animal genetic resource management is necessary on a global scale and its improvement requires careful thinking. While the contribution of livestock sector to 43 percent of world's agricultural Gross Domestic Product, which in some developing countries accounts for about 30 percent of national agricultural GDP. Actual economic modeling estimates that for those rural populations, poverty is limiting, economic growth suggested to be critically low. The fate of poor people and their livestock is interlinked, so none should be overlooked in future food security efforts [91]. The World Bank forecasts that contribution of livestock sector to agricultural GDP in undeveloped regions will be necessary by about 80 percent between 2000 and 2030.

Sheep are very important in the socio-economic lives of the people. However, their potential is not realized under poor conditions because of low productivity resulting from high mortality and weak performance among others. That fact calls the attention to the environment of production. But a given loss of animal genetic resources concerns the loss of genetic diversity within improved, cosmopolitan breeds and not only the extinction of traditional breeds [92]. The first reason for loss, the uniformity with increasing homozygosity as consequence of enormous development of highly improved breeds has led to growing concerns about the erosion of genetic resources [93]. Lenstra et al. [94] give a detailed review about molecular tools and analytical approaches for the characterization of farm animal genetic diversity.

Integration of local breeds threatened by extinction but carrying appropriate alleles into the further refinement of breeds for mass production result in effective management of erosion of farm animal genetic resources (FAnGR, [95]). Therefore, the maintenance of old, local breeds is in any case justified by this requirement.

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*Reality of Mitogenome Investigation in Preservation of Native Domestic Sheep Breeds*

However, autochthonous breeds are the national treasure of a given country and, as such, their maintenance is the duty of that state. In addition, in my personal opinion, access to the benefits of this treasure needs to be regulated for one's own

FAO [96] listed the broad categories of threats in three major groups: trends in livestock sector, disasters and emergencies, and animal disease epidemics and lack

Considering the first one, the global reliance on a very limited number of international, specialized (single purpose) breeds suited to the needs of high input high output industrial agriculture can be mentioned. This expansion was accompanied by the grading-up of local breeds, by changes feeding-, housing, and reproduction

Under the second group of treats the lack of development interventions, appreciation, sustained breeding programmes, and loss of labour force (migration to urban areas in search of employment), traditional knowledge associated with livestock herding, further on changes in land use (destruction of native habitats), inappropriate management of climate change and natural disasters (floods, drought, famine). In many places, to this is added the local conflict (socio-politi-

The third means: inadequate control of disease epidemics, lack of disease control, preventive treatments, genetic control of inheritable defects, as well as lack

The experts collect the following economic, scientific, human cultural, socioeconomic, and environmental rationales for preservation beside the needs for

Genetic variation is the raw material for animal improvement. Prudent economy demands conservation. Lost flexibility will limit the ability of future generations to respond to changed markets and opportunities. Old breeds are of unique physiological or other traits. They can show specific adaptation ability, resistance to diseases. Biotechnology will need to reveal unique sequences of DNA. Based on microsatellites, Agaviezor et al. [97] concluded that these associated with unique ancestral alleles of certain functional genes may reflect a better adaptability in more agro-ecological zones. Firestone et al. [98] shown through simulations that with samples of at least 30–40 individuals found the correct ratio of private alleles in most cases can be. Due to the low frequencies of the private alleles in a study, the

Animal husbandry is a special characteristic of human culture. It is comparable to other great reminders of man's past. Rare breeds are results of human creation (worth preserving and conserving as any other work of art, like monuments or buildings). They are kept for demonstration and showing of historical development of animal husbandry, and are of great advantage and value for physiological and genetic comparative studies. Some domestic animal breeds are historically closely linked to different farming cultures, environment and regions, traditional and

cal), and a range of political instability (civil strife, war).

development and sustainability mentioned formerly.

**6.2 Arguments for preservation**

of identification, transport, traceability, food chain controlled.

results should be interpreted cautiously and viewed more as a trend.

regional. Livestock are part of life style in all the countries.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95768*

country, but especially for other countries.

**6. Maintenance of endangered breeds**

**6.1 Reasons for endangerment/extinction**

of control measures.

technologies.

However, autochthonous breeds are the national treasure of a given country and, as such, their maintenance is the duty of that state. In addition, in my personal opinion, access to the benefits of this treasure needs to be regulated for one's own country, but especially for other countries.
