Genetic Diversity and Phylogeny of Fleece-Bearing Goats of Central and Middle Asia

Abstract

Using microsatellite markers, the genetic diversity, family ties, and genetic drift were studied in three breeds and seven populations of wool (fleece-bearing) goats of Central and Middle Asia. The parameters of allelic and genetic diversity of indigenous populations of Mongolian goats (Gurvan Egch, Darkhat, Burakh Zavkhan, Ulgiy Uulan, Altai Uulan), two populations of local Tuvan goats, Soviet and Tajik wool breeds of goat, and Orenburg fleece-bearing goat were obtained. Using a principal component analysis, two main groups of goats were detected, in one of which mainly Mongolian native populations are united, while in the other are Middle Asian breeds of goats. The populations of Tuvan local goat were divided between the appropriate groups. At the same time, Mongolian goats were characterized by a high intrapopulation diversity and a fairly low level of genetic differences between the populations. Data obtained indicate the existence of a correlation of genetic relations between the considered populations and breeds of fleece-bearing goats and their geographical distribution.