GENETIC CHARACTERIZATION NATIVE CATTLE OF ANGOLA USING WHOLE GENOME SEQUENCING

Abstract

In Angola, about 70% of the population relies on subsistence agriculture, with cattle production crucial to the economy and culture of the southern regions. Local cattle breeds face extinction due to crossbreeding with improved breeds or replacement by exotic commercial breeds, risking the loss of unique genetic traits vital for adapting to Angola's ecosystems. This project aims to establish a biobank representing the genetic diversity of native cattle biotypes, and to investigate its diversity using high-throughput genome sequencing, and identify genetic markers linked to adaptive traits. The project aims to collect samples from various parts of the country , in areas where there are reports of biotypes (breeds) of autochthonous cattle. So far 68 samples have been collected in provinces located in the Northwest, Southwest and Southeast of the country. A total of six samples collected in Namibe and Cunene were sequenced, generating a total of 339Gb of data, the depth reached was 10X for 4 samples and 30X depth for two samples. The level of genetic diversity and its relationship with other breeds of the world will be presented and discussed.