Patagonian Argentine Creole cattle polymorphism: Comparison with North-West populations of this breed

Abstract

The relict Patagonian Argentine Creole cattle population consist of a small feral population (Los Glaciares population) that is geographically isolated in the South-West of Patagonia. In order to determine the level of genetic variability of this population, the polymorphism of eight structural genes and two microsatellites loci were studied using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In addition, genetic characterisation was used to compare Los Glaciares population and the ACc breed of cattle. Results obtained in this study show that the value of average heterozygosity of the studied loci for the Los Glaciares were not significantly different from the ACc. Furthermore, the data of this report were consistent with the hypothesis that Los Glaciares originated from ACc brought to the area by colonialists in the last century. Such data may be useful in formulating management plans for Feral Patagonian Creole cattle populations.