Abstract
Genetic diversity was investigated among 11 local Sudanese sheep populations. These populations were: Desert, with 6 sub-populations; Nilotics; Arid upland; West African; and Nilodesert, with 2 sub-populations. 15 microsatellites were used, a total number of 263 alleles being found, with expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.726 to 0.811. Principal component analysis revealed a distinct demarcation between the West African population and all other populations in Sudan and a moderate distance of Desert Dongla sheep from all other Desert populations. Structure modelling clustered West African, Arid upland and Nilotics populations in one group, and divided the Desert and Nilodesert populations into 2 mixed clusters with incomplete demarcation, reflecting cross breeding between these populations. Mitochondrial analysis indicated the dominance of the B haplotype in all populations, with about 10% of sheep carrying the A haplotype. The presence of the A and B haplotypes suggest that Sudan may be a contact zone between Asian and African sheep ancestors.
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