Data from: Genetic footprints of Iberian cattle in America 500 years after the arrival of Columbus

BACKGROUND: American Creole cattle presumably descend from animals
imported from the Iberian Peninsula during the period of colonization and
settlement, through different migration routes, and may have also suffered
the influence of cattle directly imported from Africa. The introduction of
European cattle, which began in the 18th century, and later of Zebu from
India, has threatened the survival of Creole populations, some of which
have nearly disappeared or were admixed with exotic breeds. Assessment of
the genetic status of Creole cattle is essential for the establishment of
conservation programs of these historical resources. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL
FINDINGS: We sampled 27 Creole populations, 39 Iberian, 9 European and 6
Zebu breeds. We used microsatellite markers to assess the origins of
Creole cattle, and to investigate the influence of different breeds on
their genetic make-up. The major ancestral contributions are from breeds
of southern Spain and Portugal, in agreement with the historical ports of
departure of ships sailing towards the Western Hemisphere. This Iberian
contribution to Creoles may also include some African influence, given the
influential role that African cattle have had in the development of
Iberian breeds, but the possibility of a direct influence on Creoles of
African cattle imported to America can not be discarded. In addition to
the Iberian influence, the admixture with other European breeds was minor.
The Creoles from tropical areas, especially those from the Caribbean, show
clear signs of admixture with Zebu. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Nearly five
centuries since cattle were first brought to the Americas, Creoles still
show a strong and predominant signature of their Iberian ancestors. Creole
breeds differ widely from each other, both in genetic structure and
influences from other breeds. Efforts are needed to avoid their extinction
or further genetic erosion, which would compromise centuries of selective
adaptation to a wide range of environmental conditions.