Genetic diversity and population structure analysis of Philippine native
pigs highlights four priority populations for conservation
Abstract
The Philippine native pig (PhNP) is a unique genetic resource with
complex genetics due to multiple ancestries and hybridizations with wild
pigs. No prior study has determined the population structure and genetic
diversity of PhNPs on multiple islands and provinces, which is essential
for establishing conservation priorities. In this study, we explore the
population structure and genetic diversity of various PhNP populations
in Luzon and the Visayas, Philippines, to identify conservation
priorities. We analyzed 157 native pigs representing 7 populations
(Benguet (B), Kalinga (K), Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela (I), Quezon (Q),
Marinduque (M), and Samar (S)) and 39 pigs of transboundary distribution
(Duroc, Large White, Landrace, and Berkshire). The pigs were compared
against a panel of 21 ISAG–FAO recommended microsatellite markers. We
tested for population structure at the island, administrative region and
province levels. Strong genetic differentiation between native and
transboundary breeds was confirmed by analysis of molecular variance
(Frt: 0.08; F’st: 0.288-0.728), Bayesian clustering (k = 2) and Nei’s DA
genetic distance (98% bootstrap support for the PhNP cluster). PhNP
exhibited high heterozygosity (Ho: 0.72), a high allele count (Na: 9.24)
and a low inbreeding coefficient (Fis: -0.022 to 0.150). Bayesian
clustering supported genetic differentiation at the island (k = 2; North
Luzon and South Luzon-Visayas cluster), administrative region (k = 4)
and population (k= 9) levels. The pairwise F’st between PhNP populations
ranged from 0.130 (Q and M) to 0.427 (Q and K), confirming that PhNP
populations exhibited sufficient genetic distance to be considered
separate populations. This study shows that the seven previously
assigned PhNP populations, roughly delimited by provincial origin, are
unique genetic units for conservation. Furthermore, the small effective
population sizes of B, Q, I, and S (Ne: 5, 17, 24, and 26, respectively)
necessitate immediate conservation actions, such as incentivizing the
farming of PhNP.