Abstract :
Ten Greek sheep breeds were analysed at 28 microsatellite markers in order to estimate
their genetic diversity and differentiation. This study aims to provide information on the
genetic structure of the breeds analysed and the ancestral populations, and give indications
and proposals for the conservation strategies. The breeds included were the local sheep
breeds raised in different regions of Greece. In total, 310 animalswere sampled. Non-biased
average expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.68±0.134 (Skopelos breed) to 0.76±0.103
(Karagouniko breed) with an average of 0.74, while the average observed heterozygosity
ranged from 0.626±0.132 (Skopelos) to 0.74±0.135 (Kefallenias). Estimates of inbreeding
coefficient (Fis) were significant for all breeds studied, except for Kefallenias and Lesvos
breeds (P < 0.05). The results of the phylogenetic relationships are in accordance with the
geographical location of the breeds, the history of the origin of the breeds and the breeding
practices. The phylogenetic tree showed three groupings according to the bootstrapping values.
Correspondence analysis showed the isolation of the Skopelos breed and the grouping
of Sfakia and Anogeiano breeds in a separate cluster
