Abstract Verata goat is an endangered autochthonous breed from Extremadura (Spain). Genetic diversity, genetic Bottleneck hypothesis and population genetic structure were analysed for conservation management purposes. Twenty-two microsatellite markers were used to genotype 570 animals belonging eight different sampling regions. Average number of alleles per locus (9.09 ± 0.71) and the expected gene diversity (He = 0.694 ± 0.025) revealed substantial genetic variation in the breed, even greater than other Spanish and European breeds not threatened. The decrease of heterozygotes in the total population (FIT = 0.075) is a consequence of the population's subdivision (FST = 0.063), instead of inbreeding in subpopulations (FIS = 0.014). The FST value was similar to those obtained in other Spanish goat breeds. Clustering analysis performed by STRUCTURE software and by the modal value of the distribution of the ΔK showed clear membership of individuals in four clusters. Clear genetic drift of Verata goat population has been observed, as it was demonstrated by the assignment of individuals to pre-defined sampling regions. Also, it was detected a certain degree of genetic flow (immigrant and admixed animals) among the sample herds located in these regions. Verata goat population had not undergone a genetic bottleneck at least in the recent past; however, a recent population expansion without immigration or the introduction of some unique or rare alleles by immigrants has been detected. Based on the above results, we have designed a conservation program based on maintaining of live animals in a conservation nucleus with a minimum coancestry mating system and constant family sizes and on the cryopreservation of germplasm. The development of this program will allow us the maintenance and sustainable use of the breed in its geographical and socio-economic environment, preserving racial purity of animals and the variability of the breed.

中文翻译：

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西班牙维拉塔山羊品种的遗传多样性、种群遗传结构和保护管理

摘要 Verata 山羊是一种来自埃斯特雷马杜拉（西班牙）的濒危本土品种。出于保护管理的目的，分析了遗传多样性、遗传瓶颈假说和种群遗传结构。22 个微卫星标记被用于对属于 8 个不同采样区域的 570 只动物进行基因分型。每个基因座的平均等位基因数 (9.09 ± 0.71) 和预期的基因多样性 (He = 0.694 ± 0.025) 揭示了该品种的大量遗传变异，甚至大于其他未受威胁的西班牙和欧洲品种。总种群中杂合子的减少 (FIT = 0.075) 是种群细分 (FST = 0.063) 的结果，而不是亚种群中的近亲繁殖 (FIS = 0.014)。FST 值与在其他西班牙山羊品种中获得的值相似。由 STRUCTURE 软件和 ΔK 分布的模态值进行的聚类分析显示了四个聚类中个体的明确成员资格。已经观察到 Verata 山羊种群的明显遗传漂移，正如将个体分配到预定义的采样区域所证明的那样。此外，在位于这些地区的样本群中检测到一定程度的遗传流动（移民和混合动物）。Verata 山羊种群至少在最近没有经历过遗传瓶颈；然而，最近在没有移民或移民引入一些独特或罕见等位基因的情况下进行了人口扩张。根据以上结果，我们设计了一个保护计划，其基础是将活体动物维持在保护核心中，具有最小的祖先交配系统和恒定的家庭规模，以及种质的冷冻保存。该计划的发展将使我们能够在其地理和社会经济环境中维护和可持续使用该品种，保持动物的种族纯洁性和品种的可变性。