Mitochondrial variability of Small Međimurje dog
Summary
There are six native dog breeds in Croatia recognized by the Federation Cynologique International (FCI) and one national dog breed Small Međimurje dog (MEDI) still unrecognized by the FCI. To promote breed we have analysed mitochondrial DNA control region (CR-mtDNA) sequence (551-bp) in 35 Small Međimurje dogs sampled in Međimurje County. After comparison with 33 worldwide distributed dog breeds (N=115 samples), three main canine CR-mtDNA haplogroups (A, B and C) were observed in Small Međimurje dogs. Median-joining tree showed that MEDI forms six haplotypes presented in haplogroup C (H3 is the most frequent in MEDI population), haplogroup A (haplotypes H2, H5 and H7) and in haplogroup B (haplotypes H4 and H6). The results presented in this study correspond to other mtDNA studies of native dog breeds. For the better genetic description of MEDI and for the optimal future breeding management, further analyses of nuclear genome are recommended.
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