Animal Molecular Breeding, 2024, Vol.14, No.6, 362-369 http://animalscipublisher.com/index.php/amb 362 Research Insight Open Access Molecular Markers and Genetic Variation in Water Buffalo: Insights for Conservation and Breeding JiaXuan Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: jia.xuan@jicat.org Animal Molecular Breeding, 2024, Vol.14, No.6 doi: 10.5376/amb.2024.14.0038 Received: 07 Nov., 2024 Accepted: 10 Dec., 2024 Published: 22 Dec., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Xuan, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Xuan J., 2024, Molecular markers and genetic variation in water buffalo: insights for conservation and breeding, Animal Molecular Breeding, 14(6): 362-369 (doi: 10.5376/amb.2024.14.0038) Abstract This study provides a comprehensive overview of water buffalo biodiversity, focusing on their global distribution, domestication history, and genetic variation across populations. Various molecular markers, including SSRs, SNPs, and AFLPs, are discussed for their applications in genetic studies, alongside the benefits of next-generation sequencing for marker discovery. A case study on the application of SNP markers demonstrates their utility in conservation, highlighting population bottlenecks and inbreeding trends. Furthermore, this study explores the use of molecular markers in breeding programs, emphasizing marker-assisted selection and genomic selection for genetic improvement. While acknowledging current limitations, the study underscores the potential of emerging technologies to bridge research and practical applications. The findings aim to support sustainable conservation and breeding initiatives, ensuring the genetic resilience and productivity of water buffalo populations. Keywords Water buffalo; Genetic diversity; Molecular markers; Conservation; Breeding programs 1 Introduction Water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) are a crucial livestock species, significantly contributing to the global agricultural economy through the provision of milk, meat, skins, and draft power. They are primarily found in Asia and support more people per capita than any other livestock species (Mishra et al., 2023). The economic importance of water buffalo is underscored by their role as a major source of milk and meat in many countries, with their milk yield being a focal point for improvement in breeding programs (Liu et al., 2018; Du et al., 2019). Genetic diversity is vital for the conservation and breeding of water buffalo, as it ensures the resilience and adaptability of populations to changing environmental conditions and disease pressures (Anas et al., 2023). The identification and understanding of genetic variation within and between buffalo breeds are essential for effective breeding strategies aimed at enhancing desirable traits such as milk production, feed conversion efficiency, and reproductive performance (Uffo et al., 2017; Mishra et al., 2020). Genetic diversity also plays a critical role in maintaining the distinct status of breeds, as seen in the Nili breed, which has maintained its separate breed status despite close evolutionary relationships with other breeds. Molecular markers, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and microsatellites, are indispensable tools in genetic studies, providing insights into the genetic architecture of economically important traits (Pérez-Pardal et al., 2017; Khan et al., 2022). These markers facilitate the identification of candidate genes associated with traits like milk yield and quality, enabling targeted breeding programs (Liu et al., 2018; Deng et al., 2024). The use of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and other genomic tools has advanced the understanding of genetic variation and trait association in water buffalo, supporting the development of genomic resources for breeding and conservation (Macciotta et al., 2021). This study attempts to explore the genetic variation in water buffalo using molecular markers, discuss their implications for conservation and breeding, and provide an overview of the genetic basis of economically important traits. By leveraging genomic data and molecular markers, this study aims to enhance breeding programs and contribute to the sustainable management and conservation of water buffalo populations.
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