The Romanian cuniculture achievements in terms of breed creation up to 2016

The Romanian cuniculture achievements in terms of breed creation up to 2016 1 Kinga Ilyés, 2 Claudia-Terezia Socol, 3 Florin L. Criste 1 Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Biotechnology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Cluj, Romania; 2 National Agency for Animal Husbandry Prof. dr. G. K. Constantinescu, The National Centre for Professional Training in Animal Husbandry, Cluj, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; 3 University of Oradea, Oradea, Romania. Corresponding author: K. Ilyés, palkinga@gmail.com Abstract. Although in Romania a certain tradition of rabbit rearing in households and industrial facilities eisted for a long time, there was no need or did not arose the right circumstances to create an indigenous breed up to 2005. In 2005 has begun the Rabbit of Cluj (RC) project, following a spontaneous mutation occurred in a family of New Zealand White (albino) rabbits, resulting in an individual with a mutation of the color trait, carrying gene ch at the C locus. Later, with infusion of New Zealand White and Chinchilla rabbits a population with distinct morphological features was created. Shortly after, in 2008, a team of researchers started the creation of the Transylvanian Giant Rabbit (TGR) the nucleus of the breed being a population of rabbits with polymorphic traits, originating from the Somes and Aries area, and Flemish Giant, Giant Papillon and Californian rabbits respectively. Following a very well developed breeding program and subsequently pairs matching, resulted a large sized (giant) rabbit with Himalayan color pattern. In 2010, a new opportunity has arisen in order to create a new Romanian rabbit breed, namely the Szekler Rabbit (SR). On the basis of the crossbreeding representing seven distinct phenotypes of half-breeds, a very rare color variety in the cuniculture world was obtained namely the sallander color. Considering this rare phenotype and with infusion of different cosmopolite breeds has borne the Szekler Rabbit, which has a rustic character and a particular and outstanding phenotype. It is noteworthy that all three Romanian rabbit creations were certified in March 2016 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development through the National Livestock Production Agency "Prof. Dr. K. G. Constantinescu". Also studbooks are conducted individually for each breed separately, under the auspices of FNCPPAMR (Federația Națională a Crescătorilor de Porumbei, Păsări și Animale Mici din România - National Federation of Pigeons, Poultry and Small Animal Breeders from Romania). Key Words: Rabbit of Cluj, Transylvanian Giant Rabbit, Szekler Rabbit, Romanian rabbit breeds, new infraspecific taons, biodiversity, himalaya, sallander, Oryctolagus cuniculus. Auszug. Obwohl in Rumänien gab es schon einige Traditionen der Kaninchenzucht, der Mangel an Herstellung einer erbeigen Gattung in den Bauernhöfen der Bevölkerung und in den industriellen Kompleen war bis 2005 doch nicht wahrnehmbar. Oder es entstanden die richtigen Umstände noch nicht dazu. Im Jahre 2005 startete das Projekt des Klausenburger Kaninchens (KK) infolge einer spontanen Mutation in einer Weißen Neuseeländer Kaninchenfamilie, wodurch ein Individuum mit einer Farbenmutation, dass das Geschlecht ch im Locus C trägt. Nachträglich wurde mit Infusionen der Kaninchengattung von Chinchilla und des Weißen Neuseeländers eine Population mit morphologisch abtrennbaren Charakteren zu Leben gerufen. Binnen kurzer Zeit, in 2008 wurde die Basis der Bildung des Siebenbürgischen Riesen (SR) - auf einer Kaninchenpopulation mit polymorphen Charaktere basierend, die aus dem Tal des Samosch und des Arieș beziehungsweise des Grauen Riesen, des Riesenschecken und des Kalifornischen gelegt. Infolge eines sehr gründlich vorbereiteten Kreuzungsprogrammes und nachträglich einer Paarenkompatibilität ergab ein Kaninchen von gigantischer Taille mit Farbcharaktere der Himalaya. Im Jahre 2010 tauchte eine neue Opportunität für die Herstellung einer rumänischen Rasse, des sogenannten Sekler Kaninchens (SK) auf. Aufgrund einiger Kreuzungen von Landrassen, die 7 gut separierbaren Phänotypen vertreten, erhielt man eine sehr seltene Farbenvarietät in der Welt der Kaninchenzüchter das sogenannte sallander. Dieser seltene Phänotypus mit Infusion verschiedener Rassen geweiht rufte das Sekler Kaninchen zu Leben, das über einen rustischen Charakter und einen etra Phänotypen verfügt. Es ist bemerkenswert, dass im März 2016, alle drei Rassen vom Agrarministerium durch die Nationale Agentur für Tierzucht Prof. Dr. G. K. Constantinescu bescheinigt wurden. Des weiteren sind genealogische Registern für jede einzelne Rasse mit Unterstützung vom FNCPPAMR (Federația Națională a Crescătorilor de Porumbei, Păsări și Animale Mici din România - Tauben- Vögel- und Kleintiere Züchter Nationalverband Rumäniens geführt). Schlüsselworte: Cluj Kaninchen, Siebenbürgische Gigant, Sekler Kaninchen, rumänische Kaninchenrassen, Biodiversität, Himalaya, Sallander, Oryctolagus cuniculus. http://www.rg.bioflu.com.ro 26

Résumé. Même si la coutume de l élevage traditionnel du lapin et également de l`élevage industriel a eisté depuis longtemps en Roumanie, jusqu en 2005 le besoin ou les circonstances appropriées afin de créer une races indigènes n`eistait pas. En 2005, le projet du Lapin de Cluj (LC) a été démarré, dû à une mutation spontanée apparue dans une famille de lapins Néo-Zélandais Blanc (albinos), résultant un individu avec une mutation de la couleur du pelage, portant le gène ch au locus C. Plus tard, avec l infusion de lapins Chinchilla et Néo-Zélandais Blanc on a été possible de créer une population avec des caractères morphologiques distincts. Depuis peu, en 2008 la création du lapin Géant de Transylvanie (GT) était facilitée à travers la formation d`une population de lapins avec des caractères polymorphes, originaires de la rivière Someş et Arieş, respectivement le Geant Gris, le Geant Papillon et Californien. Par suite d`un programme de croisement très bien développés et ensuite d`ajuster les paires a resulté un lapin de grande taille (géant) avec des caractères à couleur himalaya. En 2010, une nouvelle opportunité surgit afin de créer une nouvelle race de lapin roumain, nommément le lapin Sicule (LS). Une variété de couler très rare dans le monde cunicule, ledit sallander a été aussi obtenu parmis des croisements des lapins métis représentant sept phénotypes distincts. Le lapin Sicule a été obtenu en tenant compte de ce phénotype rare qui present une infusion de différentes races consacré et qui a un caractère rustique et un phénotype particulier. Il est à noter que les trois créations cunicule roumaines ont été certifiés en Mars 2016 par le Ministère de l'agriculture et du Développement Rural à travers L`Agence Nationale pour la Zootechnie "Prof. Dr. K. G. Constantinescu". Egalement, il y a des registres généalogiques menées individuellement pour chaque race, sous l'égide FNCPPAMR (Federația Națională a Crescătorilor de Porumbei, Păsări și Animale Mici din România - La Fédération Nationale des Eleveurs des Pigeons, des Oiseau et des Petits Animau de Roumanie). Mots clés: le Lapin Cluj, Géant de Transylvanie, Lapin Sicule, himalaya, sallander, biodiversité, Oryctolagus cuniculus. Rezumat. Cu toate că în România a eistat de multă vreme o oarecare tradiție în creșterea iepurilor de casă în gospodăriile populatiei și în complee industriale deopotrivă, nu s-a simțit nevoia sau nu s-au ivit circumstanțele potrivite în vederea creării unei rase autohtone pana în anul 2005. În anul 2005 s-a demarat proiectul Iepurelui de Cluj (ICJ), în urma unei mutații spontane apărută într-o familie de iepuri Neozeelandezi Albi (albinotici), rezultând un individ cu o mutație de culoare, purtând gena ch la locusul C. Ulterior cu infuzie de iepuri de rasă Chinchilla Mare și Neozeelandez Alb s-a reușit crearea unei populații cu caractere morfologice distincte. Peste puțin timp, în anul 2008 s-au pus bazele creării iepurelui Uriaș de Transilvania (UT), la baza formării ei fiind o populație de iepuri cu caractere polimorfice originare din valea Someșului și Arieșului, respectiv Uriaș German Gri, Pestriț Uriaș German și Californian. În urma unui program de încrucișare foarte bine pus la punct și ulterior de potrivire a perechilor a rezultat un iepure de talie mare (uriaș) cu caractere de culoare himalaya. În anul 2010 s-a ivit o nouă oportunitate în vederea creării unei noi rase românești și anume a Iepurelui Secuiesc (IS). Pe baza unor încrucișări de iepuri metiși reprezentând șapte fenotipuri distincte s-a obținut și o varietate de culoare foarte rară în lumea cuniculă și anume sallander. Luând în considerare acest fenotip rar și cu infuzie de diferite rase consacrate a luat naștere Iepurele Secuiesc, care dispune de un caracter rustic și un fenotip aparte. Este demn de menționat faptul că toate cele trei creații cunicule românești au fost atestate în martie 2016 de către Ministerul Agriculturii și Dezvoltării Rurale prin Agenția Națională pentru Zootehnie Prof. Dr. G. K. Constantinescu. De asemenea se conduc Registre Genealogice individual pentru fiecare rasă în parte, sub auspiciul FNCPPAMR (Federația Națională a Crescătorilor de Porumbei, Păsări și Animale Mici din România). Cuvinte cheie: Iepure de Cluj, Uriaș de Transilvania, Iepure Secuiesc, rase românesti, himalaya, sallander, biodiversitate, Oryctolagus cuniculus. Kivonat. Annak ellenére, hogy Romániában volt némi hagyomány a háztáji és ipari nyúltenyésztés terén, egészen 2005-ig nem sikerült, illetve nem adódtak meg a megfelelő keretek egy hazai fajta kitenyésztésére. 2005-ben indult a Kolozsvári Nyúl (KNy) kitenyésztési programja, melynek kiindulópontjaként egy Új-zélandi fehér (albínó) nyúl alomban megjelent spontán mutáció szolgált, ahol egy mutáns egyed a C locuson ch gént hordozott. Ez a hamuszürke egyed és az Új-zélandi fehér, és Nagy Csincsilla fajta felhasználásával, egy szigorúan szabott tenyésztési program keretén belül sikerült kitenyészteni egy egyedi küllemmel rendelkező populációt. Nem sok idővel ezután, 2008-ban megkezdődött az Erdélyi Órásnyúl (EÓ) kitenyésztési programja. A fajta alapjául egy nagyon polimorfikus populáció szolgált, amely a Szamos és Aranyos völgyéből származott, valamint Német Szürke Óriás, Német Tarka Óriás és Kaliforniai nyúlak. Ezen alanyok felhasználásával, egyedre szabott keresztezési és szigorú párosítási sémák felhasználásával egy himalaya jellegű, nagy testű (óriás) nyúl lett kitenyésztve. 2010-ben egy új lehetőség bukkant fel: a Székely Nyúl (SzNy) kitenyésztése. Hét különböző fenotípusú parlagi/félvér nyúlak keresztezése során, a nyúlvilágban igen ritka színfenotípusnak számító szallander bukkant fel. Ezt a szallander színű egyedet és más nyúlfajtákat felhasználva, lett kitenyésztve a rideg, viszont elegáns és egyedi küllemű Székely Nyúl. Érdemes megemlíteni, hogy 2016 márciusában a Földművelési és Vidékfejlesztési Minisztérium, a Prof. Dr. G. K. Constantinescu Nemzeti Állattenyésztési Ügynökségen keresztül elismerte a fentebb említett három romániai nyúlfajtát. A családfa vezetéze külön-külön történik mindegyik fajta részére a Romániai Galamb, Háziszárnyas és Kisállattenyésztők Államszövetség (RGHKÁ) (FNCPPAMR - Federația Națională a Crescătorilor de Porumbei, Păsări și Animale Mici din România) keretén belül. Kulcsszavak: Kolozsvári Nyúl, Erdélyi Óriásnyúl, Székely Nyúl, romániai nyúlfajták, biodiverzitás, himalaya, szallander, Oryctolagus cuniculus. http://www.rg.bioflu.com.ro 27

Introduction. Although Romania has a certain tradition and possibilities of rabbit rearing (Petrescu et al 2013; Oroian et al 2014a) in households and industrial facilities (Frăţilă et al 1985) alike, for a long time, there was no need or did not arose the right circumstances to create an indigenous breed up to 2005. Before 2016 there was no homologated Romanian rabbit breed, although there where some attempts, if we mention the White of Cluj (Petrescu-Mag 2009; Standard 1991), but the new strain was never registered, and disappeared. Its particularity consisted in black eyes (Standard 1991), so it was not an albino. It is worth to mention here the Supercuni the only Romanian meat hybrid rabbit, which resulted after 15 years of work of selection and genetic improvement (Frăţilă et al 1985), which features was competed with any commercial rabbit at that time (Botha et al 2007a,c). Since 2005 a series of rabbit breeding/improvement programs started, resulting in three breeds, namely the Rabbit of Cluj, Transylvanian Giant Rabbit, and Szekler Rabbit, which are recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development through the National Livestock Production Agency "Prof. Dr. K. G. Constantinescu" since 2016. Also studbooks are conducted individually for each breed separately, under the auspices of FNCPPAMR (Federația Națională a Crescătorilor de Porumbei, Păsări și Animale Mici din România - National Federation of Pigeons, Poultry and Small Animal Breeders from Romania). The Rabbit of Cluj (RC). In 2005 the Rabbit of Cluj project (RC) has begun, following a spontaneous mutation occurred in a family of New Zealand White (albino) rabbits, resulting in an individual with a mutation of the color trait, carrying gene ch on the C locus (Botha et al 2011; Zmaranda 2015a) (Figure 1). A B C Figure 1. The Rabbit of Cluj born through spontaneous mutation. A, B the genitors, New Zealand White pure breed; C the Rabbit of Cluj founder male (the mutant) at the age of one month (original). http://www.rg.bioflu.com.ro 28

At the age of somatic maturity the Rabbit of Cluj founder male ehibited a particular phenotype suitable for shows and production alike (Figure 2). Figure 2. The Rabbit of Cluj founder male (FM) at maturity (original). Later the Rabbit of Cluj improvement program required infusion of New Zealand White and Chinchilla rabbits in order to maintain the morphological features in terms of conformation and color, and not at least to avoid a high inbreeding degree, following the breeding scheme presented in Figure 3 (Botha et al 2011). The FM was breed with pure breed Chinchilla and pure breed New Zealand White females, forming several different lines with a certain segregation ratio in the New Zealand White line, this fact proved that the FM was a heterozygous individual in terms of chinchilla color gene (Figure 3, Table 1). FM AABBcchcchDDEE aa--cc---x X F1 Figure 3. The first breeding scheme designed to consolidate the Rabbit of Cluj population. FM founder male; AABBcchcchDDEE pure breed Chinchilla rabbit females; aa--cc-- pure breed New Zealand White rabbit females (original). http://www.rg.bioflu.com.ro 29

Table 1 The resulted offspring s phenotype after the first two breeding schemas designed in order to obtain the Rabbit of Cluj (RC) (adaptation after Botha et al 2011) Matings Obtained phenotype in F 1 generation Observations FM NZW 50% albino, 50% c ch (a chi ) color pattern (with Kept for breeding just the 2 shades: light chinchilla and dark chinchilla) colored individuals FM Ch 100% c ch (a chi ) color pattern with 2 shades: All the kits kept for further light chinchilla and dark chinchilla breeding FM founder male, NZW New Zealand White, Ch Chinchilla, c ch international chinchilla gene notation, a chi European chinchilla gene notation. At the age of reproductive maturity the cross breeding between the individuals belonging to the two lines (Chinchilla and New Zealand White) was performed (Figure 4). This way a population with distinct morphological features was created (Botha et al 2011, 2013). Figure 4. The second breeding scheme for the Rabbit of Cluj (original). Table 2 presents the genitors origin, color genotype, size at maturity and their role in the RC breeding programme. It can be seen that the initial breeding stock consisted of very diverse genotypes and phenotypes alike, which ensured the heterosis of the population, but further however a low degree of inbreeding was performed in order to stabilize certain uniformity in the new population. The inbreeding was planned that consanguinity not to accede 25%, in order to avoid the inbreeding depression, with its inevitable negative consequences (Botha et al 2014). http://www.rg.bioflu.com.ro 30

Table 2 The biological material used in the creation of RC (adaptation after Botha et al 2011) Strain Origin Color pattern FM Ch Cluj-Napoca, Romania Wells, Austria Adult weight (kg) Role in the RC project unknown 3.70 Breed founder AABBc ch c ch DDEE (a chi a chi BBCCDDEE) 5.00 NZW Budapest, Hungary aa _ 4.80 Color improvement Phenotype consolidation AABBc ch c ch DDEE international Chinchilla gene color pattern notation, a chi a chi BBCCDDEE - European chinchilla gene color pattern notation, aa _ - albino color pattern. After five years of intensive work of selection and improvement of the RC the main direction of the future breeding improvement programs was elaborated. This direction mention weight limits of 3.50-5.50 kg, ideal ear length of 10.00-11.00 cm, hair length of 3.00 cm, and ash grey color defined by the chinchilla color pattern (AABBc ch c ch DDEE international notation, a chi a chi BBCCDDEE European notation). The Transylvanian Giant Rabbit (TGR). In 2008 the creation program of the Transylvanian Giant Rabbit (TGR) was started. The nucleus of the breed was a population of rabbits with polymorphic characters, originating from the Somes and Aries area, and Flemish Giant, Giant Papillon and Californian pure breed rabbits respectively (Petrescu-Mag et al 2009) (Figure 5). Native nucleus AABBCCDDEE aabbccdgdgkk aabbc h c h DDEE Figure 5. Populations which formed the base of the Transylvanian Giant Rabbit (original). From the beginning, the breeding program was elaborated in order to obtain a large (giant) sized Himalayan colored rabbit which aimed to inherit the native population resistance (rusticity) and also to enhance the meat productivity. In this order the first http://www.rg.bioflu.com.ro 31

breeding scheme was build to crossbreed the Californian rabbit with the other three populations (native, Flemish Giant, Giant Papillon) (Figure 6.) Figure 6. The Transylvanian Giant Rabbit breeding programme 2008-2010, elaborated by Bioflu SRL (original) (Petrescu-Mag et al 2009). Table 3 emphasizes the role of each strain introduced in the TGR project, underlining the main morphological features of the genitors. As can be seen there is a wide range of body weight at somatic maturity, and also high diversity of color pattern. The biological material used in TGR project (Petrescu-Mag et al 2009) Table 3 Strain Origins Color pattern Native CR ESR GGR Turda neighborhoods (small commercial interests; poor chances to be transported from elsewhere) Cluj-Napoca (some of them from Timişoara, Romania; others from Hungary) Cluj-Napoca (parents: possible from Nitra, Slovakia) Cluj-Napoca (born in Braşov, Romania; others from Cluj-Napoca) Highly polymorphic (more than seven different phenotypes) Pointed black white (Himalaya pattern) White, spotted with black Agouti CR Californian, ESR Giant Papillon, GGR Flemish Giant. Body weight at the seual maturity (average value) 3.7 kg 3.6 kg 5.8 kg 7.5 kg Role in TGR program 1) Resistance and 2) Prolificacy to the new strain. 1) Good skeletal and muscular habit, 2) a uniform color pattern 3) black body base color. 1) Improvement of the body size, 2) black body base color. 1) Improvement of the body size. http://www.rg.bioflu.com.ro 32

Following the TGR creation program it can be seen that in terms of body size it begun to take the desired shape starting from the 4 th generation. Regarding the color genotype, in the 4 th and 5 th generations a multitude of color patterns resulted (Cc h Aa, Cc h Aa, Cc h aa, c h c h Aa), which was stabilized in the 6 th and 7 th generations. The most important difference between the 4 th and 5 th generations was the body size, larger in the 5 th generation. Finally in the 6 th and 7 th generations the eperimental population took the desired shape of the TGR, with ideal color pattern (Himalaya) and body size (Table 4). Table 4 The genotype of each color pattern obtained during creation of the Transylvanian Giant Rabbit (C encode a full color development, c h is the Himalaya gene, A encode the agouti pattern, a encode the self color/non-agouti) (Petrescu-Mag et al 2009) Abreviation Color pattern Genotype Observation Native Impossible to Impossible to describe describe Medium sized CR Pointed black white (Himalaya) c h c h aa Medium sized GSR White, spotted with black CC aa Giant GGR Agouti CC AA Giant H1 Only patterns of interest are Black Cc h aa Medium sized considered H2 - Only patterns of interest are Black Cc h aa Medium sized considered H3 Dark steel Cc h Aa Medium sized Agouti Cc h Aa H4 Dark steel Cc h Aa Black Cc h aa Giant Agouti Himalaya c h c h Aa H5 H6 - Only patterns of interest are considered H7 - Only patterns of interest are considered Agouti Dark steel Black Agouti Himalaya Pointed black white (Himalaya Pointed black white (Himalaya) CR Californian, ESR Giant Pappilon, GGR Flemish Giant. Cc h Aa Cc h Aa Cc h aa c h c h Aa c h c h aa c h c h aa Medium sized Giant. Ideal color pattern for TGR Giant. Ideal color pattern for TGR Following very precise build developing and breeding programs and subsequently pairs matching, resulted a large sized (giant) rabbit with Himalayan color pattern (Zmaranda 2015b). The TGR breed standard (Petrescu-Mag et al 2011, 2012; Oroian et al 2014) specify body weight limits between a minimum of 4.5 kg and a maimum of 9.00 kg, but a normal weight is about 6.00 kg, meaning that in the evaluation process the specimens between 6.00 kg and 9.00 kg get maimum score (10 points) for the body weight criterion. Also the individuals under 4.5 kg and above 9.00 kg are ecluded from evaluation. Concerning the body length, it is desirable a dimension between 42 and 60 cm. The body shape should be slightly elongated, cylindrical and with well developed muscularity. The fur section prescribes hair length of 3-4 cm (medium sized). A very important trait of the breed is the ear length, which dimension should be a 3 rd part of the http://www.rg.bioflu.com.ro 33

body length, but between the limits of 14-18 cm. In terms of color markings, individuals with black, havana, blue, and grey etremities (drawing) are accepted (Figure 7). Figure 7. The Transylvanian Giant Rabbit (Foto: www.mircearosca.com). At the end of the TGR project we can say that the desideratum to obtain a large sized breed, with rustic character (Petrescu-Mag et al 2014a) previously observed also on Californian does (Botha et al 2007b), but with enhanced reproductive traits and meat production indices (Petrescu-Mag et al 2014b), with himalaya color pattern was successfully achieved. Petrescu-Mag et al (2014b) reported a prolificacy of 7.56±0.52 kits/female, 7.06±0.17 weaned individuals/female and an average of 1,788.75±40.12 g weight at weaning (at 8 weeks), an average weight at 1 month of age of 722.45±7.94 g, at the age of 2 months 1,880.88±8.53 g, at the age of 3 months 2,944.18±6.18 g, at the age of 8 months 6,443.94±53.74 g, with the highest daily weigth gain (DWG) at the interval of 1-2 months (38.61 g), and the lowest DWG at 7-8 months (6.56 g). Therefore the TGR is suitable for household breeding (Blaga & Burny 2014) and shows alike. The Szekler Rabbit (SR). In 2010 the third Romanian rabbit breed development program, namely the Szekler Rabbit (SR) programme was started, using multiple genotype combination and recombination (Botha et al 2015; Pusta et al 2013). The genetic code for colors are displayed first the European style (Holdas & Szendrő 2002; Sandu 1986; Vintilă 1981) followed by the US style (Robinson 1958). The basis of the breeding program represented seven distinct phenotypes: agouti (A_B_C_D_G_) (A_B_C_D_E_), albino (aa ) ( cc ), black (A_B_C_D_gg) (aa B_C_D_E_), but it also could be (a chi _B_C_D_gg) (aab_c chd c chd D_E_), himalayan (a n a n B_C_D_gg) (aab_c h c h D_E_), chinchilla (a chi a chi B_C_D_G_) (A_B_c chd c chd D_E_), Thuringer (A_bbC_D_gg) (aab_c_d_ee) and broken pattern (A_B_C_D_ggKk) (aab_c_d_e_enen) of half-breeds crossbreeding (Table 5), which resulted in a very rare color variety in the cuniculture world, namely the sallander color (Figure 8). http://www.rg.bioflu.com.ro 34

Table 5 The obtained genotypes after the first several matings (Botha et al 2015 processed after Pusta et al 2013 and Rákossy 2010) Mating schema Albino (aa_bccddgg) (AaBBccDD_) Thüringer (AabbCCDDGg) (aabbc_ddee) Albino (aa_bccddgg) (AaBBccDD_e) Black himalayan (a n a n BBCCDDgg) (aabbc h c h DDEE) Albino (aa_bccddgg) (AaBBccDD_e) Black himalayan (a n a n BBCCDDgg) (aabbc h c h DDEE) Thüringer (AAbbCCDDgg) (aabbccddee) Thüringer (A_bbCCDDgg) (aabbc_ddee) Thüringer (AAbbCCDDgg) (aabbccddee) Black himalayan (a n a n BBCCDDgg) (aabbc h c h DDEE) Thüringer (AAbbCCDDgg) (aabbccddee) Black broken (AaBBCCDDggKk) (aabbccddee Enen) Chinchilla I (a chi a chi BbCCDDGg) (AaBBc chd c chd DDEe) Thüringer (A_bbCCDDgg) (aabbc_ddee) Chinchilla I (a chi a chi BbCCDDGg) (AaBBc chd c chd DDEe) Black himalayan (a n a n B_C_D_gg) (aabdc h c h DDE_) Chinchilla II (a chi a chi BBCCDDGg) (AaBBc chd c chd DDEE) Thüringer (A_bbCCDDgg) (aabbc_ddee) Chinchilla III (a chi abbccddgg) (AaBBc chd cddee) Thüringer (A_bbCCDDgg) (aabbc_ddee) Black (_abbccddgg) (aa BB_cDDEe) Thüringer (A_bbCCDDgg) (aabbc_ddee) Agouti (AaB_CCDDGG) (AABBCcDDE_) Black himalayan (a n a n BBCCDDgg) (aabbc h c h DDEE) Agouti (AaB_CCDDGG) (AABBCcDDE_) Black himalayan (a n a n BBCCDDgg) (aabbc h c h DDEE) Resulted genotypes (individuals) 5 albino (aa_bccdd_g) (_abbccdd_e) 2 thüringer (AabbCCDDgg) (aabbccddee) 1 yellow (AabbCCDDGg) (AaBBCcDDee) 4 black himalayan (a n a n B_C_D_gg) (aabbc h c h DDE_) 3 agouti himalayan (an_b_ccddg_)(a_bbc h _DDE_) 3 albino (aa CCDD_g) (_abbccdd ) 2 black (AaB_CCDDgg) (aabbccdde_) 2 black himalayan (a n ab_ccddgg) (aabbc h _DDE_) 1 agouti (AaB_CCDDG_)(A_BBCcDDE_) 5 thüringer (A_bbCCDDgg) (aabbc_ddee) 7 black (Aa n BbCCDDgg) (aabbcc h DDEe) 3 black (A_BbCCDDgg) (aabbc_ddee) 3 black broken (A_BbCCDDggKk) (aabbc_ddee Enen) 2 black (Aa chi BbCCDDgg) (aabbcc chd DDEe) 2 agouti (Aa chi BbCCDDGg) (AaBBCc chd DDEe) 2 sallander (a chi abbccddgg) (aabbc chd cddee) 1 thüringer (A_bbCCDDgg) (aabbcc chd Ddee) 5 chinchilla (a chi a n B_CCDDGg) (AaBBc chd c h DDE_) 2 black (a chi a n B_CCDDgg) (aabbc chd c h DDE_) 3 black (Aa chi BbCCDDgg) (aabbcc chd DDEe) 2 chinchilla (a chi _BbCCDDGg) (AaBBc chd _DDEe) 3 agouti (A_BbCCDDGg) (AaBBC_DDEe) 2 black (A_BbCCDDgg, or a chi abbccddgg) (aa BBC_DDEe, or aabbc chd cddee) 1 albino (aa_bccdd_g) (_abbccdd_e) 5 black (A_BbCCDDgg) (aabbc_ddee) 1 albino (aa_bccddgg) (aabbccdd_e) 5 agouti (Aa n B_CCDDGg) (AaBBCc h DDE_) 3 agouti himalayan (a n a n BBCCDDGg) (AaBBc h c h DDEE) 5 agouti (Aa n BBCCDDGg) (AaBBCc h DDE_) 3 agouti himalayan (a n a n B_C_D_Gg) (AaBBc h c h DDE_) The genetic code for colors are displayed first the European style (Holdas & Szendrő 2002; Sandu 1986; Vintilă 1981) followed by the US style (Robinson 1958). http://www.rg.bioflu.com.ro 35

Figure 8. Sall, the juvenile Szekler Rabbit founder male (Botha et al 2015). Looking back for the crossing(s) which offered the sallander color pattern, a new breeding scheme was established in order to obtain more sallander colored individuals (Table 6). Table 6 The obtained genotypes after the matings that were planned to strengthen the sallander color pattern (Botha et al 2015 processed after Pusta et al 2013 and Rákossy 2010) Mating schema Black (AaBbCCDDgg) (aabbccddee) Sallander* (a chi abbccddgg) (aabbc chd cddee) Chinchilla I (a chi a chi BbCCDDGg) (AaBBc chd c chd DDEe) Sallander* (a chi abbccddgg) (aabbc chd cddee) Resulted genotypes (individuals) 3 sallander (a chi abbccddgg) (aabbc chd cddee) 2 black (A_BbCCDDgg) (aabbc_ddee) 4 black (a chi abbccddgg) (aabbc chd cddee) 3 sallander (a chi abbccddgg) (aabbc chd cddee) 1 chinchilla (a chi abbccddgg) (AaBBc chd cddee) The genetic code for colors are displayed first the European style (Holdas & Szendrő 2002; Sandu 1986; Vintilă 1981) followed by the US style (Robinson 1958). * - Sall, the founder male (Figure 8). After a relatively short period of time (only 6 years of cross-breeding, selection and infusion with cosmopolite breeds) the Szekler Rabbit has borne. It has a rare phenotype (sallander, Figure 9), a rustic character. Genetic formula of the Szeker Rabbit color pattern: European formula: a chi a chi bb CC DD gg - sallander a chi a chi bb cc DD gg - havanna-sallander International formula: aa BB c chd c chd DD ee sallander aa bb c chd c chd DD ee - havanna-sallander http://www.rg.bioflu.com.ro 36

Figure 9. The ideal phenotype of the standard (iron-grey) Szekler Rabbit (buck) in terms of conformation and color/shading (Botha et al 2016). Botha et al (2016) reported this year a second Szekler Rabbit variety, namely the Havana sallander (Figure 10). Figure 10. The contrast between the two Szekler Rabbit varieties, havana-sallander (left) and sallander (iron-grey; right) (Botha et al 2016). In order to improve the color pattern of the newly created breeds some studies were conducted by Covrig et al (2013) and Oroian et al (2016). As for any population with critical number, the major direction is to increase the population size using already tested techniques and protocols. Therefore the does selection emphasize the maternal features considering the milking capacity, which beyond genetic background can be influenced by food composition (Botha et al 2007c) http://www.rg.bioflu.com.ro 37

which will lead to an increased weaning rate and higher weaning weight. The adults somatic development also can be improved by a simple technique which implies separation of rabbit broodstock on sees (Botha et al 2007d). Another interesting procedure is the se ratio manipulation reported by Botha & Hettig (2007f), technique which is suitable for households. This procedure does not involve seed gametes. In order to ensure a long life etension for breeding stock is also recommended to consider the reproduction intensity over the year (Botha et al 2007e; Hettig et al 2008). As the three Romanian breeds were created in household conditions they are most suitable for etensive farming which can easily meet the organic meat production prescriptions if we consider the slow food trend (Petrescu-Mag 2009). The standard of the Romanian rabbit breeds was elaborated considering the Romanian (Standard 1991, 2005 vol. I & II, 2010), Hungarian (Holdas & Szendrő 2002), and German (European Standard 2003, 2012) Standard for Rabbit Breeds respectively (the American ARBA- and British BRC- standards are very different from that of European) (Botha et al 2016; Petrescu-Mag et al 2011, 2012). Conclusions. Considering the amount of time from the first step in order to develop a Romanian rabbit breed until the third breed recognition, we can say than in ten years three rabbit breeds were created and improved. The further improvement programs of the described breeds (CR, TGR, SR) will not allow a bigger consanguinity rank then 25%, in order to avoid inbreeding depression. Beyond the phenotype, the breeding programs also focus on the production indices in order to develop veritable, advanced meat producing rabbits. Considering that all these new breeds were developed in outside conditions (household, etensive farming) and not in controlled medium, the involved rustic character raise the level of resistance against pathogens and gives high tolerance against climatic conditions. In order to ensure a certain population growth, in the selection process a special attention should be paid to the maternal features of does. Considering the above mentioned features of the CR, TGR, SR they will be raised certainly in pure breeds, but are also suitable for hybridization with the local population in order to improve the meat yield. Popularization of the three Romanian rabbit breed is currently done through scientific communications, ehibition participation, media interviews etc. Acknowledgements. The authors thank to all private breeders for the information provided. Our gratitude is also etended to Prof. Ilyés Hunor, German sworn translator, for his professional work by translation of the abstract in German, and to Ms. Éva Luka MSc philologist for her professional translation of the abstract in Hungarian. References Blaga C. B., Burny P., 2014 Rabbit production and rabbit market in Romania: The most frequent breeds, halfbreeds and their characterization. Rabbit Gen 4(1):1-6. Botha M., Bud I., Hettig A., Pece A., 2007a Directions and tendencies for obtaining rabbit hybrids for meat in Europe. International Scientific Symposium Performances and Competitiveness in Animal Production, Bulletin USAMV Iaşi 50:460-465. Botha M., Bud I., Ştefan R., 2007b Ethological studies on Californian rabbit females. International Scientific Symposium Animal Breeding in the View of a Sustainable Agriculture, Bulletin USAMV Timişoara 40(2):47-50. Botha M., Bud I., Hettig A., Pece A., 2007c Milking capacity appreciation on rabbits function of diet. The 6 th International Symposium Prospects for the 3 rd Millennium Agriculture, Bulletin USAMVCJ 63-64:532. Botha M., Bud I., Hettig A., Pece A., 2007d Possibility of body development stimulation in male reproducer rabbits. The 6 th International Symposium Prospects for the 3 rd Millennium Agriculture, Bulletin USAMVCJ 63-64:533. Botha M., Bud I., Hettig A., Pece A., 2007e Reproduction intensivity appreciation in rabbit rearing. The 36 TH International Session of Scientific Communications, The Scientific Papers of The Faculty of Animal Science, Bucharest, pp. 209-210. http://www.rg.bioflu.com.ro 38

Botha M., Hettig A., 2007f Possibilities to direct se ratio in rabbit species. The Cluj- Napoca s Biology Days, UBB Cluj-Napoca, Abstracts 8:4. Botha M., Hettig A., Petrescu-Mag I. V., 2011 The Rabbit of Cluj: a new phenotype obtained, maintained and improved in Cluj-Napoca (Transylvania), Romania. ABAH Bioflu 3(1):42-47. Botha M., Petrescu-Mag I. V., Hettig A., 2013 The first full morphological description of the Cluj Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). North-Western Journal of Zoology 9(2):441-442. Botha M., Petrescu-Mag I. V., Hettig A., 2014 Genetic disorders in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Rabbit Gen 4(1):7-47. Botha M., Rákossy Z., Petrescu-Mag I. V., Gavriloaie C., 2015 The Szekler Rabbit born through multiple genotype combination and recombination in order to obtain rare phenotypes in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Rabbit Gen 5(1):13-22. Botha M., Rákossy Z., Socol C.-T., Ilyés K., Gavriloaie C., Petrescu-Mag I. V., 2016 The Szekler Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus): Standard for judgment in rabbit ehibitions. Rabbit Gen 6(1):7-19. Covrig I., Oroian I. G., Patrutoiu T. C., 2013 The C locus: rabbit genetics for full color development, chinchilla, seal, sable, pointed black and red-eyed full white. Rabbit Gen 3(1):23-32. Frățilă N., Cofas V., Voicu G., 1985 Creșterea industrială a iepurilor. Editura Ceres, București. Hettig A., Botha M., Zăhan M., Roman I., 2008 Reproductive technique to increase the prolificacy of rabbit species. Animal Sciences Scientific Papers USAMV Iaşi 51:421-425. Holdas S., Szendrő Z., 2002 Gazdasági állataink Fajtatan Nyúl. Mezőgazda Publishing House, Budapest, Hungary. Oroian I. G., Covrig I., Todoran C. F., Botha M., Blaga B. C., Petrescu-Mag I. V., 2014a Distribution of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Romania. Rabbit Gen 4(1):60-63. Oroian I. G., Militaru H., Burny P., Blaga B.-C., Wittouck T., Petrescu-Mag I. V., 2014b Géant de Transylvanie: Standard de race pour arbitrage en epositions cunicoles. Rabbit Gen 4(1):48-51. Oroian F. C., Balint C., Gavriloaie C., 2016 Etender dark brings good results for short term but is a bad perspective for the artificial selection of Transylvanian Giant Rabbits. Rabbit Gen 6(1):1-6. Petrescu D. C., Oroian I. G., Mihăiescu T., Paulette L., Vârban D., Pătruțoiu T. C., 2013 Rabbit statistics overview: production, trade, market evolution. Rabbit Gen 3(1):15-22. Petrescu-Mag R. M., 2009 Promoting the Slow food concept for a better Common Agriculture Policy and Environmental Protection. AAB Bioflu 1(2):51-52. Petrescu-Mag I. V., Petrescu-Mag R. M., Botha M., Oroian I., 2009 Transylvanian giant rabbit originates from Arieş and Someş areas (Transylvania, Romania). Transylv Rev Syst Ecol Res 7:187-192. Petrescu-Mag I. V., Petrescu-Mag R. M., Păsărin B., Pop D., Botha M., Gîlcă V., Bud I., Hoha G., Creangă Ş., 2011 Proposal of standard for the judgement of the ehibition Transylvanian Giant Rabbit. ABAH Bioflu 3(1):39-41. Petrescu-Mag I. V., Petrescu-Mag R. M., Viman O., Botha M., Hoha G., Grun E., Creangă Ş., 2012 The Giant of Transylvania: Standard for arbitration in rabbit ehibitions. Rabbit Genetics 2(1):1-4. Petrescu-Mag I. V., Oroian I. G., Botha M., Covrig I., Vesa S. C., 2014a Transylvanian Giant Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus): Rustic means also aggressive. Rabbit Gen 4(1):56-59. Petrescu-Mag R. M., Oroian I. G., Botha M., Covrig I., Petrescu-Mag I. V., 2014b Morphological, productive and reproductive characterization of the Transylvanian giant rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus): first statistical report. North-Western Journal of Zoology 10(2):400-403. http://www.rg.bioflu.com.ro 39

Pusta D., Rakossy Z., Sobolu R., Paşca I., 2013 Genetic coat colour determinism in rabbits. Proceedings of the 48th Croatian & 8th International Symposium on Agriculture - Animal Husbandry, Dubrovnik, Croatia, pp. 790-794. Rákossy Z., 2010 Determinismul genetic al culorii la leporide. BSc Thesis, USAMVCJ, Veterinary Medicine Faculty, Genetics Department, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Robinson R., 1958 Genetic studies of the rabbit. Bibliogr Genet 17:229-558. Sandu G., 1986 Genetica şi ameliorarea iepurilor. Editura Ceres, Bucureşti, România. Vintilă I., 1981 Mutaţii genice care determină culoarea la animalele de blană şi pielicele. Editura Ceres, Bucureşti, România. Zmaranda L., 2015a Iepurele de Cluj creat de natură, ameliorat de om. Lumea Satului, Anul IX, Nr. 20(241), pp. 24-25. Zmaranda L., 2015b Uriaşul de Transilvania, o creaţie 100% românească. Lumea Satului, Published 05 May 2015. Available online at: http://www.lumeasatului.ro/articolerevista/2225-uriasul-de-transilvania-o-creatie-100-romaneasca.html *** Standard, 1991 Standardul Raselor de Iepuri și Criterii Internaționale de Apreciere. Bilius M., Marin G., Panait N., Popescu-Micloșanu E. (eds), Asociația Generală a Crescătorilor de Păsări și Animale din România, Arta Grafică S. A. Publishing House, Bucharest, 257 pp. *** Standard 2005 Vol I. Standard European. 2003 edition. Bilius M., Papp E. (eds), Publised by ACIAB Timis, Romania, 49 pp. *** Standard 2005 Vol II. Standard European. 2003 edition. Bilius M., Papp E. (eds), Publised by ACIAB Timis, Romania, 72 pp. *** Standard 2010 Standard European la Iepuri de Rasă. Edition of 2010, Translated by Papp Ernest, Gordian Publishing House, Timisoara, Romania, 176 pp. *** Standard 2003 Standard for the judgment of the ehibition rabbit acknowledged by the European Association. 4 th edition, European Association of Poultry Pigeon and Rabbit Breeders *** Standard 2012 Standard for the judgment of the ehibition rabbit acknowledged by the European Association. European Association of Poultry Pigeon and Rabbit Breeders *** https://www.arba.net/breeds.htm The American Rabbit Breeders Association *** http://www.thebrc.org The Rabbit British Council, Breed Standard, 4 th edition, 2016-2020 Received: 01 November 2016. Accepted: 21 December 2016. Published online: 30 December 2016. Authors: Kinga Ilyés, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Biotechnology, Romania, Cluj, Cluj-Napoca, 400372, 3-5 Calea Mănăştur Street, e-mail: palkinga@gmail.com Claudia-Terezia Socol, National Agency for Animal Husbandry Prof. dr. G. K. Constantinescu, The National Centre for Professional Training in Animal Husbandry, Romania, Cluj, Florești, 255 A. Iancu Street, 407280, email: clausocol@yahoo.com Florin Leontin Criste, University of Oradea, Romania, Oradea, 410087, 1 Universitatii Street, e-mail: cristeflorin@yahoo.com This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. How to cite this article: Ilyés K., Socol C.-T., Criste F. L., 2016 The Romanian cuniculture achievements in terms of breed creation up to 2016. Rabbit Gen 6(1):26-40. http://www.rg.bioflu.com.ro 40