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Review of global rabbit genetic resources: special emphasis on breeding programs and practices in the lesser developed countries

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2011

S. D. Lukefahr
S. D. Lukefahr
Affiliation:
Department of Animal & Wildlife Sciences, Campus Box 156, Texas A&M University, Kingsville, Texas 78363, USA
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Summary

Presently, there is little organization or cooperation among countries with rabbit breeding programs with the common aim of maintaining genetic diversity, with the exception of Europe and the Mediterranean region. Particularly in the lesser developed countries (LDC's), there is limited evidence that maintaining genetic diversity in rabbit populations is even a national priority. Based on consultancies and project experiences in over fifteen LDC's, and limited reports from the literature, evaluations of breeding programs at national rabbit breeding centers have generally been less than encouraging with regard to the management of genetic resources: utilization and conservation. The purpose of this position paper is to review rabbit genetic resources management practices and trends in rabbit breeding program development which pertain to genetic resources utilization and conservation issues, and with special emphasis on the LDC's. Several measures are discussed that could enhance breeding program integrity, greater benefit limited-resource farmers, and also foster international and regional participation in rabbit genetic resources conservation programs.

Resumen

Actualmente, salvo en Europa y en la región mediterránea, existe sólo una pequeña cooperación entre países en cuestión de programas sobre razas de conejos con el objetivo común de mantener la biodiversidad genética. En particular, en los países menos desarrollados (PMD) el mantenimiento de la diversidad genética de las poblaciones de conejos no forma parte de las prioridades nacionales. Basándonos en consulencias y proyectos realizados en más de quince PMD, así como en algunos informes presentes en la literatura, podemos decir que las evaluaciones de los programas de mejora de razas de conejos en los centros nacionales han sido, en general, poco alentadoras en lo referente a la gestión de los recursos genéticos: utilización y conservación. El objetivo de este artículo es revisar las prácticas de gestión de los recursos genéticos en conejos y las tendencias en los programas de desarrollo de mejora relacionados con la utilización de los recursos genéticos y posibilidades de conservación, todo ello con especial referencia a los PMD. Se discuten varias medidas que podrían aumentar la integridad de los programas de mejora, beneficiar ampliamente los recursos limitados de los agricultores y también favorecer la participación internacional y regional en los programas de conservación de recursos genéticos de conejos.

Keywords

RabbitsCharacterizationUtilizationConservationGenetic improvement
Type
Research Articles
Information
Animal Genetic Resources/Resources génétiques animales/Recursos genéticos animales , Volume 23 , April 1998 , pp. 49 - 67
Copyright
Copyright © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 1998

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