Beef cattle

Unlocking the Potential of a Neglected Zoogenetic Resource, the Arequipa Fighting Bull

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Abstract

Cattle production in the province of Arequipa is a pillar of the regional economy, sustaining meat and milk value chains and supporting agricultural livelihoods. Within this context, the Arequipa Fighting Bull (AFB), a culturally emblematic cattle type selected for more than 150 years based on behavioral traits such as docility and controlled fighting aptitude, represents a unique but neglected zoogenetic resource. Although recent molecular evidence suggests that the AFB forms a genetically differentiated and potentially unrecognized cattle population, its productive potential has never been evaluated using modern genomic tools. This study aimed to characterize the genomic profiles of the AFB, with emphasis on the AFB, using the Igenity Beef and Igenity Basic tests to identify animals with superior genomic merit for meat and milk production. Hair follicle samples were collected from 95 adult individuals (40 females and 55 males). DNA extraction and SNP genotyping were performed by NEOGEN® (Michigan, USA). Genomic evaluations were conducted for 60 individuals with Igenity Beef and 22 females with Igenity Basic, followed by descriptive and multivariate analyses in R program. Genomic assessments revealed substantial variability in productive, reproductive, and carcass-related traits. In the Igenity Beef panel, individual PBT_ARE048 exhibited the highest multi-trait performance, making it a prime candidate for selection. In dairy-associated traits, PBT_ARE023 showed the most favorable genomic profile. Multiple correspondence analysis classified animals into four Igenity Rank categories: Bottom 25%, Maternal, Terminal, and Top 25%, highlighting distinct genomic merit groups. Key high-merit individuals (PBT_ARE048, PBT_ARE055, PBT_ARE058, PBT_ARE100, PBT_ARE045, and PBT_ARE008) form a strategic genetic nucleus for future breeding efforts. Additionally, the favorable dairy genotype (BB) was rare (~5%), underscoring opportunities for targeted improvement. This work constitutes the first comprehensive genomic characterization of the Arequipa Fighting Bull, demonstrating its untapped potential and reaffirming its status as a valuable but overlooked genetic resource. The results emphasize the importance of incorporating genomic tools into regional breeding programs to improve productivity, conservation, and sustainable livestock development in southern Peru.

Keywords: 2026

How to Cite:

Arbizu Berrocal, C., Heredia-Vilchez, L., Maicelo, J., Murga Valderrama, L., Scotto Espinoza, C. & Valdeiglesias, J., (2026) “Unlocking the Potential of a Neglected Zoogenetic Resource, the Arequipa Fighting Bull”, World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production Digital Archive 2026(1): 2287317. doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/wcgalp.24263

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