Analysis of Genetic Diversity of the Thai Swamp Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Using Cattle Microsatellite DNA Markers

Abstract

Recently the numbers of the Thai swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), a native species of Thailand, have been rapidly declining, leading to a requirement for conservation programs for this breed. Such studies of the genetic diversity of this species are essential for conservation decisions and to assist the rational implementation of breeding programs. In this study, the genetic diversity of 80 Thai swamp buffalo, randomly selected from seven different research stations of the Thai Department of Livestock Development, were studied using ten cattle microsatellite markers. Polymorphic PCR products were observed at all microsatellite loci, with percentages of polymorphic loci ranging from 80.00 to 100.00%. The population from Payao showed the lowest level of polymorphism. The mean number of alleles per locus was 4.7 with the highest number of alleles being eight (ETH152) and the lowest being three (HAUT27 and ILSTS030). The average unbiased heterozygosity for all seven populations was 0.61 and varied between 0.5314 (Samui) and 0.6798 (Surin). The genetic distance according to NEI's (1972) ranged from 0.0722 to 0.4427. The populations from Surin and Burirum are the closest populations, while populations from Samui and Payao are the most divergent. The information generated by this study will greatly aid in the establishment of effective breeding and conservation programs for the Thai swamp buffalo.

Evaluation of Genetic Diversity and Structure of Turkish Water Buffalo Population by Using 20 Microsatellite Markers

“…The advantage of using microsatellite DNA polymorphism to estimate genetic diversity among breed and among associated populations has been researched in livestock such as water buffalo [ 8 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ], cattle [ 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 ], sheep [ 47 , 48 , 49 ] and goat [ 35 , 50 , 51 ]. To determine genetic diversity among water buffalo populations, several microsatellite studies have been published [ 12 , 17 , 18 ] in Turkey, but a study of genetic diversity of Turkish water buffalo that has collected 837 individuals from six geographical regions has not been performed until now.…”

Comparative Growth and Economic Performances between Indigenous Swamp and Murrah Crossbred Buffaloes in Malaysia

“…In the field, river and Swamp buffaloes can be differentiated by their morphology and behavior. Swamp buffaloes are ash or dark grey with a white chevron line on the neck either one or two stripes and have socks, while the tip of the tail and the horns are swept backwards [ 2 , 3 ]. They prefer to wallow in the marshland and mud and have large feet with slow steady movement that make them well suited for paddy land preparation in swampy waterlogged rice fields [ 4 ].…”

“…On the other hand, Murrah buffaloes have a black body with tightly and forwardly curled horns. They prefer to wallow in clean water [ 2 ]. Generally, Swamp buffaloes are smaller than the Murrah buffaloes, while the crossbred buffaloes have the same morphology as Murrah.…”

“…All amounts are in Malaysian Ringgit (MYR);2 The price of live buffalo based on average market price since 2010 to 2015.…”

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“…This can be applied to the breeding program of swamp buffalo in Thailand. However, there are a few reports that have described the genetics of the Thai swamp buffalo, including the studies of genetic diversity of the Asian water buffalo 16 and the Thai swamp buffalo 17 , which analyzed the genetic diversity of this animal in Thailand. Moreover, the sequence of the polymorphic fragments can be used to identify the genes involved in the trait.…”