Studies on the Phylogenetic Relationships of the Japanese Native Fowl Breeds

Abstract

Blood samples were taken from about 600 fowls of 24 Japanese native breeds to study the phylogenetic relationships of these breeds. Genetic polymorphisms of albumins, esterases and alkaline phosphatases of fowl plasma were detected using horizontal starch gel electrophoresis.Plasma albumins of the fowl are controlled by three autosomal alleles, AlbA, AlbB and AlbC (STRATIL, 1968). In most of Japanese native breeds, the gene frequency of AlbB was high. AlbA was observed only Jitokko. AlbC was present in Shamo (Japanese Games), and Minohiki and Satsumadori, both of which were phylogenetically related to Shamo breed, and the breeds of Tosajidori, Uzurao and Ohiki.Plasma esterases are controlled by three autosomal codominant alleles (GRUNDER, 1971). Gene frequency of Es-1B was higher than those of Es-1A and Es-1C in most of Japanese native breeds, Es-1C being the lowest, whereas Es-1A was predominant in Mediterranean breeds. A higher frequency of Es-1C was observed in Ohiki and Koshamo (Japanese Game Bantam), small breeds.Plasma alkaline phosphatase of the fowl was observed in two electophoretic regions. One is controlled by the dominant (Akp) and recessive (akp) alleles (WILCOX, 1966), and the other is controlled by the dominant (Akp-2o) and recessive (Akp-2a) alleles GODA et al., 1971). Gene frequency of Akp was higher in Onagadori, Totenko and Uzurao, which were charactaristic to have white ear lobes, than the other breeds. Low frequency of Akp was observed in Shokoku having red ear lobes. It is postulated that Totenko was a more possible ancestor of Onagadori (Long Tailed Japanese fowl) than Shokoku.