Origin, Genetic Diversity, and Population Structure of Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Kenya.

Sharon Auma Owuor,Edward George Mamati,Remmy Wekesa Kasili

doi:10.1155/2019/7056940

Sharon Auma Owuor, Edward George Mamati + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/7056940

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Abstract

To evaluate the origin, genetic diversity, and population structure of domesticated rabbits in Kenya, a 263-base pair region of mtDNA D-loop region of 111 rabbits sampled from Kakamega, Vihiga, and Bungoma counties in the western region, Laikipia and Nyandarua counties in the central region, and Kitui, Machakos, and Makueni in the eastern region of the country were analyzed. The average haplotype (0.40702) and nucleotide (0.01494) diversities observed were low, indicating low genetic diversity of domesticated rabbits in Kenya. This study resolved 5 unique haplotypes in the mtDNA D-loop region. A population genetic structure distinguishing Europe grouping and domesticated rabbits in Kenya was obtained on incorporating 32 known haplotypes. Domesticated rabbits in Kenya clustered together with rabbits from other geographic regions, suggesting common origin. The results suggested that the Kenyan domesticated rabbits may have originated from Europe. Integration of exotic breeds into breeding programmes could have contributed to the low genetic diversity. These results provide useful information for breeding and conservation decisions by the relevant stakeholders in the agriculture industry in Kenya.

Highlights

Domesticated rabbits are descendants of the European rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus, which exists in both wild and domestic forms [1, 2]. e Iberian Peninsula is recorded to be the origin of domesticated rabbits, and two subspecies, Oryctolagus cuniculus cuniculus and Oryctolagus cuniculus algirus, coexist, with the former occurring in the north eastern part and the latter in the south west [3, 4]
Diversity studies are key for animal genetic resources mainly because they inform breeding programmes, enabling farmers and other relevant stakeholders to make informed decisions on which breeds are desirable for various traits such as high reproduction, disease resistance, and good meat
A wide range of nucleotide (0.00577–0.02041) and haplotype (0.166667–0.66667) diversities were revealed from the study populations. e least nucleotide diversity was from the rabbit population from Makueni (0.00577) while the highest nucleotide diversity (0.02041) was observed in rabbits from Vihiga

Summary

Introduction

Domesticated rabbits are descendants of the European rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus, which exists in both wild and domestic forms [1, 2]. e Iberian Peninsula is recorded to be the origin of domesticated rabbits, and two subspecies, Oryctolagus cuniculus cuniculus and Oryctolagus cuniculus algirus, coexist, with the former occurring in the north eastern part and the latter in the south west [3, 4]. E Iberian Peninsula is recorded to be the origin of domesticated rabbits, and two subspecies, Oryctolagus cuniculus cuniculus and Oryctolagus cuniculus algirus, coexist, with the former occurring in the north eastern part and the latter in the south west [3, 4]. Another possible center of domestication is the South of France, where human-mediated efforts such as migration are said to have introduced rabbits to this locality [1]. Diversity studies are key for animal genetic resources mainly because they inform breeding programmes, enabling farmers and other relevant stakeholders to make informed decisions on which breeds are desirable for various traits such as high reproduction, disease resistance, and good meat

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