Rendena is a dual-purpose cattle breed, which is primarily found in the Italian Alps and the eastern areas of the Po valley, and recognized for its longevity, fertility, disease resistance and adaptability to steep Alpine pastures. It is categorized as 'vulnerable to extinction' with only 6057 registered animals in 2022, yet no comprehensive analyses of its molecular diversity have been performed to date. The aim of this study was to analyse the origin, genetic diversity, and genomic signatures of selection in Rendena cattle using data from samples collected in 2000 and 2018, and shed light on the breed's evolution and conservation needs. Genetic analysis revealed that the Rendena breed shares genetic components with various Alpine and Po valley breeds, with a marked genetic proximity to the Original Braunvieh breed, reflecting historical restocking efforts across the region. The breed shows signatures of selection related to both milk and meat production, environmental adaptation and immune response, the latter being possibly the result of multiple rinderpest epidemics that swept across the Alps in the eighteenth century. An analysis of the Rendena cattle population spanning 18 years showed an increase in the mean level of inbreeding over time, which is confirmed by the mean number of runs of homozygosity per individual, which was larger in the 2018 sample. The Rendena breed, while sharing a common origin with Brown Swiss, has developed distinct traits that enable it to thrive in the Alpine environment and make it highly valued by local farmers. Preserving these adaptive features is essential, not only for maintaining genetic diversity and enhancing the ability of this traditional animal husbandry to adapt to changing environments, but also for guaranteeing the resilience and sustainability of both this livestock system and the livelihoods within the Rendena valley.

中文翻译：

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遗传遗产和适应性特征：研究伦德纳牛对十八世纪牛瘟流行的抵抗力的历史、多样性和选择特征


伦德纳牛是一种两用牛品种，主要分布在意大利阿尔卑斯山和波河谷东部地区，因其寿命长、繁殖能力强、抗病性和对陡峭高山牧场的适应性而闻名。它被归类为“容易灭绝”，到 2022 年只有 6057 只登记动物，但迄今为止尚未对其分子多样性进行全面分析。本研究的目的是利用 2000 年和 2018 年收集的样本数据分析伦德纳牛的起源、遗传多样性和基因组特征，并阐明该品种的进化和保护需求。遗传分析显示，Rendena 品种与各种阿尔卑斯山和波河流域品种具有相同的遗传成分，与原始 Braunvieh 品种的遗传特征明显接近，反映了该地区历史上的放养努力。该品种表现出与牛奶和肉类生产、环境适应和免疫反应相关的选择特征，后者可能是十八世纪席卷阿尔卑斯山的多次牛瘟流行的结果。对跨越 18 年的伦德纳牛种群的分析显示，近亲繁殖的平均水平随着时间的推移而增加，这一点得到了每个个体纯合性运行的平均次数的证实，在 2018 年的样本中该数值更大。伦德纳品种虽然与瑞士棕色品种有着共同的起源，但已经形成了独特的特征，使其能够在阿尔卑斯环境中茁壮成长，并受到当地农民的高度重视。 保护这些适应性特征至关重要，不仅是为了维持遗传多样性和增强传统畜牧业适应不断变化的环境的能力，也是为了保证伦德纳山谷内畜牧系统和生计的恢复力和可持续性。