Large-bodied squab pigeons (Columba livia domestica) as a genetic treasure from Central Europe

The domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) has historically contributed to food production, hobby breeding and scientific research; nonetheless, comprehensive data on its genetic diversity remain scarce, particularly for Central European breeds. This study filled this gap and applied a multi-marker approach to assess the genetic diversity and structure of seven large-bodied domestic pigeon breeds originating from North-America (n = 1), the Mediterranean (n = 2), and the Carpathian Basin (n = 4), using 13 nuclear microsatellite markers in 218 individuals and the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 (COI) region in a subset of 51 individuals drawn from the same microsatellite-genotyped samples. This design allowed for a robust comparison of biparental and maternal inheritance patterns. The combination of maternally and biparentally inherited markers provided complementary insights into genetic diversity and population relationships. Mitochondrial haplotype diversity was highest in the Runt (H_d = 0.964) and Hungarian Giant (H_d = 0.905) pigeons, and lowest in the Hungarian Cropper (H_d = 0.583). Microsatellite analysis revealed consistently positive inbreeding coefficients, with the highest in the Buga (F_IS = 0.502), suggesting inbreeding or a structured population. Among international breeds, Mondain showed the greatest genetic distance, especially from the Runt (Bruvo's distance: 0.762), which is particularly interesting in addition to the fact of relatedness documented in the literature. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis identified 24 unique haplotypes, 13 exclusives to Hungarian breeds, reflecting the Carpathian Basin's genetic richness. A central ancestral haplotype (Hap_17), present across all regions and in 38 individuals, suggests a common maternal origin and one domestication center. These results highlight the importance of integrating mitochondrial and microsatellite data, particularly for reconstructing breed history and identifying unique genetic resources in native pigeon populations in a specific area. Our findings, besides the scientific results, offer practical insights into the squab industry, where native breeds with rich genetic resources could support niche market expansion or the development of new, high-performance lines. The results emphasize the value of local breeds in sustainable livestock breeding. These new data create a foundation for targeted selection and conservation strategies tailored to the needs of modern pigeon production.