Integration of georeferenced and genetic data for the management of biodiversity in sheep genetic resources in Brazil.

There are few animal germplasm/gene bank collections in Brazil, and basic studies are needed to attend the future internal and external demands from international partners. The aim of this work was to validate a "proof of concept" that integrates spatial (georeferenced data) and genetic data regarding the local of origin from 3518 DNA samples from 17 different genetic groups or breeds of sheep in the Brazilian Germplasm bank. Spatialisation shows that not all genetic groups have samples in the bank, and collection is concentrated in the conservation nuclei spread nationwide. Only 21% of states with a specific breed have samples in the gene bank. The mean number of animals sampled per collection was 32, while the mean distance travelled to collect samples was 262 km from the conservation nuclei. For example, the Brazilian Somali were only collected in the conservation nucleus in Ceará State. No samples were collected to date for the Cariri breed, which is recognised by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture. Only two farms and one breed in the bank are from the northern region. Of the 27 states, there are samples in the gene bank of sheep from 13, so several states have no samples, requiring collection from herds outside the official system of conservation to make sure that studies using this germplasm realised are not biased. Significant genetic differences are seen above 332 km, which should guide future sampling efforts. Suggestions are given for improving the quantity, quality and diversity of samples in the gene bank.

Dynamics of Cattle Production in Brazil.

Movement of livestock production within a country or region has implications for genetics, adaptation, well-being, nutrition, and production logistics, particularly in continental-sized countries, such as Brazil. Cattle production in Brazil from 1977 to 2011 was spatialized, and the annual midpoint of production was calculated. Changes in the relative production and acceleration of production were calculated and spatialized using ARCGIS®. Cluster and canonical discriminant analyses were performed to further highlight differences between regions in terms of cattle production. The mean production point has moved from the Center of Minas Gerais State (in the southeast region) to the North of Goiás State (in the Midwest region). This reflects changes in environmental factors, such as pasture type, temperature and humidity. Acceleration in production in the northern region of Brazil has remained strong over the years. More recently, "traditional" cattle-rearing regions, such as the south and southeast, showed a reduction in growth rates as well as a reduction in herd size or internal migration over the period studied. These maps showed that this movement tends to be gradual, with few regions showing high acceleration or deceleration rates.

Distribution of goat breeds in brazil and their relationship with environmental controls / Distribuição de raças de caprinos no brasil e sua relação com controles ambientais

A localização de todos os rebanhos de cabras de raça pura no Brasil foi espacializada de acordo com os controles climáticos (Índice de Temperatura e Umidade, precipitação, topografia, umidade relativa do ar) e controles ambientais (altitude, tipo de pastagem). Os dados foram analisados através de uma análise de regressão, variância, logistica e cluster. Matrizes de distância foram construídas de acordo com a longitude/ latitude e os controles ambientais foram correlacionados por meio do teste de Mantel. O ponto médio para a maioria das raças foi encontrado no estado da Bahia, mas no estado de Pernambuco encontraram-se os pontos médias das raças localmente adaptadas. A Anglonubiana foi a raça comercial com o ponto médio mais ao norte, enquanto as raças Toggenburg, Saanen e Alpina tiveram o ponto médio de produção mais ao sul do país. Houve pouca diferença entre os controles ambientais para as raças localamente adaptadas e comerciais, mas raças dupla aptidão encontraram-se nas regiões com menor precipitação e Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano , mas com as temperaturas e área de mata mais elevadas . As raças comerciais são mais difundidas no Brasil do que raças locais, sendo que as últimas ocorrem um maior risco de extinção devido a doenças, seca ou cruzamento com outras raças.

The localization of all flocks of purebred goats in Brazil was spatialized in ARCGIS along with climatic (THI, precipitation, topography, relative humidity) and physical environmental controls (altitude, pasture type). Data were analysed using analysis of variance, logisitic regression and cluster analyses. Distance matrices were constructed using longitude/latitude and those from environmental controls and these were correlated using Mantel test. Midpoint for most breeds was in Bahia State, but in Pernambuco for locally adapted breeds. The Anglonubian was the commercial breed with the northernmost midpoint. Toggenburg, Saanen and Apline breeds had the southernmost midpoint. There was little difference between environmental controls for locally adapted and commercial breeds, but dual purpose breeds were in regions with lower rainfall and HDI but higher temperatures and shrubland. Commercial herds are more widespread in Brazil than local breeds putting the latter at higher risk of extinction through drought, disease or crossing with other breeds.