title: The genetic diversity and structure of 18 sheep breeds exposed to isolation and selection.
abstract: The phylogenetic layout of the genotyped (30 microsatellite) 18 sheep breeds in this study demands and provides the opportunity to evaluate both neutral and adaptive components of genetic diversity in a naturally and artificially selected and subdivided sheep population. Seven Pramenka strains from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia characterized by a very low intensity of artificial selection, preserved the highest neutral genetic variability. Eight central and north-western European breeds under considerable artificial isolation and selection preserved the lowest genetic variability. Only combinations of various phylogenetic parameters offer a reasonable explanation for underlying evolutionary forces working in the investigated island and mainland sheep breeds under variable natural and artificial selection. More than 60% of total genetic, diversity was allocated to virtually unselected Pramenka strains, and an additional 25% to native moderately selected Graue Gehoernte Heidschnucke and intensively selected Ostfriesische Milchschafe. Some economically very important breeds and strains did not contribute to a pool with maximal genetic diversity, while they play an important role in the cultural heritage of respective countries.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Agriculture and Food Technology, University in Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ćurković
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ramljak
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Agriculture and Food Technology, University in Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ivanković
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mioč
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ivanković
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pavić
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brka
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, The Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Veit-Kensch
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, The Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Medugorac
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014644:Genetic Variation; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D010802:Phylogeny; D034561:Sheep, Domestic / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*
keywords: Agriculture; conservation priority; genetic diversity; genetic structure; phylogeny; sheep; sustainable breeding