Raramuri Criollo: A genetic resource for climate resilient livestock production

Authors: SPETTER, M - New Mexico State University; Estell, Richard - Rick; UTSUMI, SANTIAGO - New Mexico State University; ARMSTRONG, E - Universidad De La República; JARA, E - Universidad De La República; ROSS, P - Accelerated Genetics; Macon, Lara; PEREA, A - New Mexico State University; COX, A - New Mexico State University; Spiegal, Sheri

Submitted to: Extension Fact Sheets
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2024
Publication Date: 5/9/2024
Citation: Spetter, M.J., Estell, R.E., Utsumi, S.A., Armstrong, E., Jara, E., Ross, P., Macon, L.K., Perea, A.R., Cox, A., Spiegal, S.A. 2024. Raramuri Criollo: A genetic resource for climate resilient livestock production. Extension Fact Sheets. Fact Sheet. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11167313.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11167313

Interpretive Summary: Rarámuri Criollo (RC) is a heritage cattle biotype introduced to the U.S. Southwest from the Sierras of the Copper Canyon of Chihuahua, Mexico. These cattle have been raised with minimal artificial selection or crossbreeding by the Tarahumara communities for about five centuries. In 2005, a small herd of a few young bulls and cows was imported that marked the beginning of research to explore adaptations of these cattle to changing climatic and vegetation conditions of southwestern U.S. Previous studies at the USDA Jornada Experimental Range (JER) in the Chihuahuan Desert indicated that RC cows travel farther, use large shrubland areas and are less susceptible to heat stress than conventional breeds. These behaviors may make this biotype more suited to the variable forage conditions and hotter, drier summers of the arid U.S. Southwest. Identifying genomic regions and genes associated with these behaviors and traits is crucial to facilitate the selection of livestock more resilient to climate change. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays were used to assess the genetic diversity and structure of the JER RC cattle herd and its relationship with other heritage biotype populations. Ear tissue samples were collected from 128 animals and genotyped with a ~64K SNP Chip (Genetic Visions-STTM). Genotype quality control and relatedness tests were conducted using PLINK 1.9, and 89 animals were retained for further analyses. Principle Component Analysis was conducted to evaluate the relationship between RC and other heritage biotypes. The herd had a low level of inbreeding and sufficient genetic variability and diversification. When compared to other criollo biotypes from South, Central and North America, RC formed a separate group, with the U.S. Texas Longhorn being the most closely associated population. Preliminary results suggest that RC have beneficial mutations for several traits of economic, ecological and management interest, including thermo-tolerance and meat tenderness. Results suggest RC may be a distinctive heritage genetic biotype and a valuable genetic resource for selection of cattle resilient to climate change and extreme weather. Therefore, measures are being implemented for the long-term conservation of this genetic resource.

Technical Abstract: Rarámuri Criollo (RC) is a heritage cattle biotype introduced to the U.S. Southwest from the Sierras of the Copper Canyon of Chihuahua, Mexico. These cattle have been raised with minimal artificial selection or crossbreeding by the Tarahumara communities for about five centuries. In 2005, a small herd of a few young bulls and cows was imported that marked the beginning of research to explore adaptations of these cattle to changing climatic and vegetation conditions of southwestern U.S. Previous studies at the USDA Jornada Experimental Range (JER) in the Chihuahuan Desert indicated that RC cows travel farther, use large shrubland areas and are less susceptible to heat stress than conventional breeds. These behaviors may make this biotype more suited to the variable forage conditions and hotter, drier summers of the arid U.S. Southwest. Identifying genomic regions and genes associated with these behaviors and traits is crucial to facilitate the selection of livestock more resilient to climate change. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays were used to assess the genetic diversity and structure of the JER RC cattle herd and its relationship with other heritage biotype populations. Ear tissue samples were collected from 128 animals and genotyped with a ~64K SNP Chip (Genetic Visions-STTM). Genotype quality control and relatedness tests were conducted using PLINK 1.9, and 89 animals were retained for further analyses. Principle Component Analysis was conducted to evaluate the relationship between RC and other heritage biotypes. The herd had a low level of inbreeding and sufficient genetic variability and diversification. When compared to other criollo biotypes from South, Central and North America, RC formed a separate group, with the U.S. Texas Longhorn being the most closely associated population. Preliminary results suggest that RC have beneficial mutations for several traits of economic, ecological and management interest, including thermo-tolerance and meat tenderness. Results suggest RC may be a distinctive heritage genetic biotype and a valuable genetic resource for selection of cattle resilient to climate change and extreme weather. Therefore, measures are being implemented for the long-term conservation of this genetic resource.