Abstract
The genetic diversity of four protected indigenous chicken breeds was evaluated with 25 microsatellite markers. Polymorphism information content (PIC), heterozygosity with the estimator of genetic differentiation F ST and Nei’s genetic distance were evaluated. The results showed that these four protected local chicken populations showed high levels of diversity. The proportion of inter-population subdivision among the four protected local chicken populations was 16.0%. The average heterozygosity was 0.514, 0.581, 0.567 and 0.589 in Dongan, Xuefeng black-bone, Xianghuang and Taoyuan chickens, respectively, while the average PIC estimates were 0.455, 0.581, 0.557 and 0.576. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using genetic distance and the neighbour-joining method. Its topology reflects the general pattern of genetic differentiation among the four chicken breeds. The results also showed high genetic diversity and genetic variation among all the breeds. The information about the four local breeds estimated by microsatellite analysis may be useful as an initial guide for the effective conservation of chicken genetic diversity and developing conservation strategies. Keywords : Native chicken; genetic variation; microsatellite DNA
Highlights
Chicken is one of the most widely distributed livestock in China
The Xianghuang, Taoyuan chickens and Dongan chickens and Xuefeng black-bone breeds were clustered as two groups, in order to support the reliability of this analysis
Microsatellite data in this study indicate that the four protected local chicken breeds showed a high within-breed genetic variation, which is a favourable factor when planning conservation and improvement programmes
Summary
Chicken is one of the most widely distributed livestock in China It plays a significant role as a source of income and high-quality protein for humankind. Namely Dongan, Xianghuang, Taoyuan and Xuefeng black-bone chickens were included in the National Poultry Genetic Resource Directory, and play an important role in socio-economic development and ecological values in Hunan Province. Their precious values as genetic resources are used for the genetic improvement of chicken breeds. Dongan are special meat-type chickens, and have good meat characteristics, high nutritional value and other excellent traits, such as yellow feathers, yellow skins and yellow shanks (Qu et al, 2006).
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