International Arapawa Goat Association

DNA of Arapawa Goats

Dr D. Phillip Sponenberg, Professor of Pathology and Genetics at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Science, has reported the results of a DNA analysis of Arapawa goats that was undertaken at the University of Cordoba in Spain in 2007. The analysis was undertaken by Ámparo Martínez Martínez and Juan Vicente Delgado Bermejo using 26 microsatellites as part of a larger programme which also included the rare San Clemente Island and USA ‘Spanish’ goats as well as cattle, pigs and horses. Dr Sponenberg noted that the Arapawa goats “are special, because they are an isolated group distantly related to other breeds. They are therefore a conservation priority in their own right, as a domesticated genetic resource.”

Goat breeds included in the analysis were from Spain: Majorera, Palmera, Tinerfeña, Blanca Andaluza, Blanca Celtíberica, Malagueña, Murciana, Granadina. From Latin America: Moxotó (Brazil), Criolla Boliviana (Bolivia), Criolla Cubana (Cuba). Others were Cape Verde, Alpine, Boer, Anglo-Nubian, and Saanen.

The overall within-population variation for Arapawa and San Clemente Island goats was low, for Spanish goats was higher. This indicates that the history of foundation and subsequent isolation for Arapawa and San Clemente Island goats is accurate. These are relatively homogeneous populations, and each distinct from the other.

When compared to other populations, the USA Spanish group clusters strongly with the other Iberian breeds. This indicates that the history on these is indeed accurate, and that they belong here. The Arapawa does not cluster here, but is off in a corner somewhere between Anglo-Nubian and Boer. This does not imply a relationship with these breeds, but does indicate that Arapawas are very unlikely to have had an Iberian origin. The San Clemente Island goats are also very remote from the other breeds. Some aspects of the analysis suggest a similar remoteness from other breeds for the Arapawa, but that should be followed up by further analysis with a broader array of breeds in the comparison. Specifically, if the Arapawas are ‘Old English’ then including more North Atlantic goat breeds would likely point to this conclusion.

The analysis indicates that the Arapawa goats are a breed in their own right, and that they are relatively inbred. The sampling technique was broad (not all from one subpopulation) so this is no doubt accurate. Steps for effective conservation and avoidance of further inbreeding are necessary. Both the Arapawa and the San Clemente are genetically unique, and not a part of a larger breed group as far as we know at this time.

The IAGA gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Dr Sponenberg with the above summary.