Mitochondrial D ‐loop analysis reveals low diversity in M angalica pigs and their relationship to historical specimens

Summary The genetic relationship between 195 Mangalica and 79 non‐Mangalica pigs was studied using mitochondrial D ‐loop SNP genotyping. Altogether, 35 polymorphic sites and 27 haplotypes were identified. Of the haplotypes, eight and 16 are M angalica and non‐ M angalica specific, respectively, while three contain both M angalica and non‐ M angalica individuals. Genetic distance values and phylogenetic analysis indicate that M angalica individuals are very closely related, and five haplotypes represent approximately 92% of the M angalica pigs involved in the study, thus determining the major maternal lineages. In contrast to previous microsatellite studies, individuals of M angalica could not be distinguished as three separate breeds using mt DNA genotyping. Comparing modern and archaeological mt DNA sequences revealed that present day M angalica is related to pigs that lived in the C arpathian basin where postulated ancestors of M angalica also lived. This is the first DNA ‐based genetic evidence to support the described breeding history of Mangalica.