Genetic Variation In Different Chicken Breeds Based On Microsatellites

Genetic variation of 8 microsatellite was analyzed in 9 native chicken breeds and 1 introduced chicken breed. Mean heterozygosity, mean PIC and effective number of alleles were calculated. Clustering dendrograms were obtained fromthree genetic distances (DS DA DC) . The results were as follows:54 alleles were detected on 8 microsatellite loci, number of alleles ranged from 6-14, 6.75 per locus. All loci showed high polymorphism. The range of mean PIC was 0.5071-0.7437 and mean heterozygosity in every population ranged from 0.5564-0.7135, it was highest in Xianju chicken and lowest in short leg yellow chicken. The native chicken breeds have higher genetic diversity than foreign breed.Dendgrams based on DS. DA and DC seemed to be similar. All native chicken breeds formed one group, introduced breed became a separate breed. The genetic relationship between Baier chicken, Xianju chicken, Taihe chicken, Beijing oil chicken, Big bone chicken and Xiaoshan chicken is close, Gushi chicken seems related to tea flower chicken, the distances between Youxi pocked chicken and other native breeds are far. It is suggested the native breed be different fromforeign breed on origin, evolution, genetic background. Native breeds have distinctive character during evolution and selection.The result of cluster is consistent with origin, geography, trait character of breed. It is proved that Ds DA and DC are appropriate to microsatellite when used to reconstruct phylogenetic tree. The information about population genetic relationship estimated by microsatellite may be useful as an initial guide in evaluating the value of genetic variation , developing conservation strategies, predicting heterosis.