Data from: Molecular study of the Amazonian Macabea cattle history

Macabea cattle are the only Bos taurus breed that have adapted to the wet
tropical conditions of the Amazon. This breed has integrated into the
culture of the indigenous Shuar-Asuar nations probably since its origins,
being one of the few European zoogenetic resources assimilated by the
deep-jungle Amazon communities. Despite its potential for local endogenous
sustainable development, this breed is currently endangered. The present
study used molecular genetics tools to investigate the within- and
between-breeds diversity, in order to characterize the breed population,
define its associations with other breeds, and infer its origin and
evolution. The within-breed genetic diversity showed high values, as
indicated by all genetic parameters, such as the mean number of alleles
(MNA = 7.25±2.03), the observed heterozygosity (Ho = 0.72±0.02) and the
expected heterozygosity (He = 0.72±0.02). The between-breeds diversity
analysis, which included factorial correspondence analysis, Reynolds
genetic distance, neighbor-joining analysis, and genetic structure
analysis, showed that the Macabea breed belongs to the group of the
American Creoles, with a Southern-Spain origin. Our outcomes demonstrated
that the Macabea breed has a high level of purity and null influences of
exotic cosmopolitan breeds with European or Asiatic origin. This breed is
an important zoogenetic resource of Ecuador, with relevant and unique
attributes; therefore, there is an urgent need to develop conservation
strategies for the Macabea breed.