The status and need for characterization of Nordic animal genetic resources |
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| Authors: | Line Sass Kierkegaard Linn Fenna Groeneveld Anne Kettunen Peer Berg |
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| Institution: | 1. Farm Animal Section, NordGen – The Nordic Genetic Resource Center, ?s, Norwayline.sass.kierkegaard@nordgen.org https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6758-9225;3. Farm Animal Section, NordGen – The Nordic Genetic Resource Center, ?s, Norway;4. Nofima AS, ?s, Norway;5. Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, ?s, Norway |
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| Abstract: | ABSTRACTThe Nordic countries are committed to conserving farm animal genetic diversity. National reports on phenotypic and genetic characterization point towards a lack of characterization for many Nordic native breeds. Little to no knowledge on the traits of the animals and their derived products leads to potential remaining untapped. The objective of this study was to provide a quantitative assessment of phenotypic and genetic characterization of Nordic native breeds, through a literature search and obtaining census data. Six species and a total of 85 breeds were included. Studies were classified according to six different categories of characterization. Results showed that a large percentage of the breeds are not characterized at all. Moreover, most breeds have extremely low census sizes. A substantial effort to increase population sizes and document characteristics of Nordic native breeds, to promote conservation and sustainable use, is needed. |
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| Keywords: | Farm animals genetic diversity conservation biodiversity Nordic cooperation native breeds |
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![ORCID Icon]({"type":"image","src":"/templates/jsp/images/orcid.png"} "ORCID Icon")
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6758-9225;3. Farm Animal Section, NordGen – The Nordic Genetic Resource Center, ?s, Norway;4. Nofima AS, ?s, Norway;5. Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, ?s, Norway