Genetic variability assessment in different Mediterranean canine breeds using microsatellite markers

The domestic dog (Canis familiaris) was the first species to be domesticated. Today, the ‘Fédération Cynologique Internationale’ distinguishes and recognises 360 canine breeds, classified in 10 ethnological groups. Group 5 ‘Spitz and primitive type’ is subdi- vided into 7 sections. The Kelb tal Fenech (KTF) is allocated in section 6, while section 7 includes the Italian breed Cirneco dell’Etna (CIE) and different breeds (Valenciano, Ibicenco, Canario, Andaluz) of the Spanish Podenco (POD). The KTF is Malta’s national dog, esteemed for rabbit hunting. Some scholars suggest that it descended from the Ancient Egyptian Tesem. Two more canine breeds were well-regarded for rabbit hunting: the CIE, a Mediterranean breed from Sicily, and the POD originated in the Canary Islands. All these breeds are morphologically quite similar, and it is tempt- ing to assume that they are genetically related. Besides their common hunting utilisation, the genetic diversities and relation- ship within and among these dog breeds were investigated using STR markers. The genetic analysis was conducted using blood samples from each breed as source of DNA. Following the DNA extraction, multiplex PCRs were carried out using a panel of 17 ISAG suggested microsatellites. One breed (German Shepherd) was included as an outgroup. The following parameters were analysed: genetic variation, genetic distance, genetic structure and admixture. An average of 6.30 alleles per locus were observed in the six studied breeds. The mean number of observed alleles ranged from 4.44 (KTF) to 7.88 (POD Valenciano). The highest observed het- erozygosity (0.73) was detected in POD Andaluz, whereas the lowest (0.56) in KTF. The inbreeding coefficient estimated ranged from −0.0296 in POD Canario to 0.0670 in POD Valenciano. The Reynolds weighted genetic distance revealed three distinct clus- ters; the first cluster included the four POD populations, the second had CIE, while the last cluster consisted of KTF. The struc- ture analysis results ascertained that some level of genetic admix- ture is reported especially in POD populations. KTF and CIE seem to have a clear genetic identity even if some genetic admixture with POD is highlighted for CIE. The findings strongly suggest that the KTF and the POD Ibicenco seem to have a distinct genetic identity probably due to its geo- graphic isolation. A genetic introgression of POD populations in CIE is appreciable. Moreover, a certain degree of genetic admix- ture in POD populations is detected.