Characterizing Nali and Chokla sheep differentiation with microsatellite markers

ali and Chokla thin tailed, brown-faced reputed carpetwool sheep breeds from Northwestern arid and semi-arid region of India were characterized for population structure and genetic variability using 25 Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) proposed ovine specific microsatellite markers. The results revealed high level of genetic variability in each of the two investigated breeds (allele diversity: Nali = 5.520, Chokla = 5.320; gene diversity: Nali = 0.651, Chokla = 0.657). Low level of genetic differentiation between Nali and Chokla sheep was evident from low genetic differentiation estimates (FST = 0.083); high number of shared alleles (70.4%) and Nei’s genetic distances (DS = 0.229 and DA = 0.168). Gene flow (Nm = 3.896) could have played an important role for close genetic similarity in the two investigated sheep of narrow geographical vicinity. Population inbreeding estimates (FIS, Nali = 0.397, Chokla = 0.299; FIT = 0.40) indicated considerable level of inbreeding and high genetic homogeneity in the investigated sheep populations (p < 0.05). Close genetic identity of these sheep breeds based on microsatellite quantification is in agreement to the earlier arrangement of these Rajasthani sheep in a Bikaneri group. The present information is important for meeting the demands of future breeding programmes as well as for formulating effective conservation strategies. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.