The phenotypic characteristics and relational database for Vietnamese native pig populations

Area of Science:

• Animal Genetics and Breeding
• Conservation Biology
• Agricultural Informatics

Background:

• Several Vietnamese native pig (VnP) populations are critically endangered, necessitating urgent conservation strategies.
• Understanding the genetic diversity and interrelationships among VnP populations is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a comprehensive field survey of Vietnamese native pig populations.
• To analyze the interrelationships among the characteristics of different VnP populations.
• To establish a relational database for managing field data and supporting conservation efforts.

Main Methods:

• Field surveys involving farmer interviews and visual inspections across 32 VnP populations in 22 Vietnamese provinces.
• Collection of passport, characteristic, and image data for 1,918 individual Vietnamese native pigs.
• Application of Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) to analyze population characteristics and database normalization techniques for data management.

Main Results:

• Multiple Correspondence Analysis revealed distinct clustering for the Mong Cai, O Lam, and Chu Prong populations.
• Most other Vietnamese native pig populations did not significantly separate, indicating potential shared characteristics or broader genetic similarities.
• A normalized relational database was successfully constructed, integrating passport, characteristic, and image data for 1,918 animals.

Conclusions:

• The developed relational database provides a robust tool for managing and monitoring Vietnamese native pig populations.
• Identification of distinct populations like Mong Cai, O Lam, and Chu Prong aids in targeted conservation strategies.
• This study underscores the importance of data management and genetic analysis for the preservation of indigenous livestock breeds.