Contribution of the Caribbean animal genetic ressources (CARARE) biological resources center to the conservation and valorisation of the local breeds of livestock
Résumé
The endemic biodiversity, also in domestic species, represents a very useful resource for research and for the development of economic activities in agriculture. In the French West Indies, the different livestock species include a variety of local breeds, known as Creole breeds. These breeds have developed very original features, since the introduction of the first specimen 5 centuries ago, in relation with their origin, the selection pressure of their natural environment and the influence of traditional agricultural practices.
The Biological Resource Center CARARE (Caribean Animal genetic Resources), has been created in 2006, in order to fulfil two distinct missions: i) to preserve original biological samples for the purpose of investigation programs of the local research teams; ii) to maintain the genetic diversity of the local breeds, by the conservation of reproductive material.
A total of more than 30000 samples are stored in the facilities of the BRC CARARE, separated in “genomic” material (blood, tissues samples) and reproductive material (sperm, embryos). Several research programs have been implemented thanks to this BRC.
It also contributes to the preservation and valorisation of the genetic diversity of the local breeds, in complementarity with the management programs based on in vivo / in situ conservation in nucleus herds or on private breeder herds.