Abstract :
This study aimed to evaluate a set of DNA markers for their effectiveness in parentage
inference, to quantify the level of pedigree errors in Australian Angora and Cashmere goat
herds using different pedigree recording methods, and to investigate genotype mismatches
between parent and offspring. The 14 microsatellite markers evaluated in this study provided
a high level of power (probability of exclusion, PE >99.70%) for parentage testing. The
extent of PE depended on polymorphic information content (PIC) and number of alleles for
each marker. The minimum number of MS markers essential for accurate determination of
parentage was 12, when neither parent is known (PE1) and 10, when one parent is known
(PE2). In both populations, the error rates of recorded sire and dam pedigree were significant,
averaging around 12%. The error rates of sire and dam pedigree varied considerably
between the two populations, reflecting management differences on the two properties. Of
14 MS markers, one locus, SRCRSP07, had null alleles present in the heterozygous state. This
null allelewas revealed by mismatches of genotypes of parent-offspring pairs. Highly significant
deviation from Hardy–Weinberg Equilibrium and significant heterozygote deficiency
was also observed at this locus.
