Assessing Genetic Diversity in Eight Indigenous Iranian Sheep Breeds (Ovis aries) Using AFLP Markers

Document Type : Scientific - Research Articles

Authors

• akbar Khaleghzadegan ¹
• Seyed Hossein Hosseini Moghaddam ¹
• sed mohammad farhad Vahidi ¹
• Seyed Benyamin Dalirsefat ²
• hadi Zare ²

¹ Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Gilan University, Gilan, Iran

² Silkworm Research Group, University of Guila

10.22067/ijasr.v2i2.4104

Abstract

In this study genetic diversity of eight Iranian sheep breeds including; Lori Bakhtiari, Makuei, Moghani, Taleshi, Shal, Zandi,
Naeini and Kalakui was studied by using AFLP method. A total of 309 individuals were analysed that produced 121 clear
polymorphic bands. The average of heterozygosity within breed (HS) was high and equal to 0.2795± 0.0255. Also, the
average heterozygosity between breeds (Dst) was very low and equal to 0.0184. The maximum and minimum genetic
distance was obtained between Lori Bakhtiari and Makuei (0.0151) and between Lori Bakhtiari and Taleshi (0.0486)
respectively. Gene flow value (Nm) was very high and estimated to 7.5685. The UPGMA tree based on Jacard genetic cluster
similarity index revealed association among sheep breeds. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) demonstrated that different
sheep breeds tend to group together. The phylogenetic tree based on Nei's Unbiased Measures of Genetic Identity and
Genetic distance (1978) and UPGMA algorithm indicated a relatively agreement with biogeographical distance and
phenotypic characteristics of breeds and may reflect undocumented migrations, gen flows and identify an original genetic
resource. In this study no breed specific markers identified.

Keywords

• Iranian sheep
• AFLP markers
• Genetic diversity

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