| dc.description.abstract | Knowledge of the genetic diversity is a prerequisite for better utilization of any genetic
resource. However, such information is lacking for the indigenous African chicken.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) displacement (D)-loop sequences were used to study the
genetic diversity, genetic differentiation and phylogenetic relationships between domestic
chicken populations and/or breeds of Africa. A total of 398 individuals belonging to 28
populations were sampled from 12 African countries. The hypervariable 1 (HV1)
segment of the D-Ioop was peR amplified and subsequently sequenced. The sequences
of the first 397 nucleotides were used for analysis. Fifty-two haplotypes were identified
from 50 polymorphic sites with polymorphism between nucleotides 167 and 397
contributing to 96% of the sequence variations. Phylogenetic analysis of the haplotypes
indicates that African domestic chicken mtDNA can be grouped into six distinct maternal
lineages' with one to four lineages observed in each population. One of the haplotypes
;,;- -
(represented by Bur60) is shared by alT'populations except Malawi, suggesting that these
populations may share the same maternal-;"~ancestor. The phylogenetic relationships
between populations show a close relationship between Kenya, Malawi, and three
Botswana populations (Malolwane, Semitwe and Motokwe). Genetic variations within
populations and between- populations accounts for 64.8% and 35.2% of the total genetic
variation, respectively. Network analysis shows a star-like population structure which
suggests a rapid population 'expansion from a small number of founding ancestors. These
results show a high mitochondrial D-loop diversity in African chicken and indicate
multiple maternal origins for African domestic chicken. | en |
