Abstract
Awareness of the value of genetic resources has stimulated the study of the genetic diversity of indigenous breeds, which can be characterized using phenotypic and genotypic information to prioritize for conservation. The observed genetic variation of the population is influenced by the biology and circumstances of the individuals through which it passes, including migration, population size and selection. Therefore, selection of appropriate genetic analysis is vital to the success of diversity studies. Neutral and non-neutral genetic markers are both used to characterize breeds for conservation purposes; selection depends on the availability, applicability and objectives of the study, as markers are highly variable in their information content. The application of DNA based markers in diversity studies is valuable for filling gaps in documentation and confirming its accuracy. However, selection of breeds for conservation should also consider more criteria including degree of endangerment, traits of economic or scientific importance, ecological, historical and cultural values.