Genetic diversity analysis of two buffalo populations of northern India using microsatellite markers

Abstract

The genetic diversity in two buffalo populations of northern India, the Bhadawari and the Tarai was assessed using a set of 22 heterologous (bovine) microsatellite markers. The average number of alleles across all loci in both populations was found to be 4.7, indicating that this set of 22 bovine microsatellite markers could be used to study genetic variation in buffalo species also. The overall polymorphic information content (PIC) value for these markers was 0.54. The average observed and expected heterozygosities for both populations were 0.59 and 0.64, respectively. Common alleles with varying allele frequencies in both populations also represented the genetic variability existing between Bhadawari and Tarai buffaloes. However the h estimates for population differentiation indicated low levels of differentiation between the two populations. This was further supported by the low genetic distance (0.155) between Bhadawari and Tarai, which was calculated using Nei's standard genetic distance method. The present study on Bhadawari and Tarai populations represents a much-needed preliminary effort that could be extended to other local buffalo populations of India as well. Zusammenfassung Genetische Diversita¨tsstudie von zwei nordindischen Büffelpopulationen mit MikrosatellitenmarkernDie genetische Diversität in zwei nordindischen Bü ffelpopulationen, Bhadawari und Tarai wurde mit 22 heterologen-(bovinen) Mikrosatellitenmarkern geschätzt. Die durchschnittlich geschätzte Allelzahl ü ber alle Genorte in beiden Populationen betrug 4,7 und zeigt, dass diese 22 bovine Mikrosatellitenmarker auch benutzt werden kö nnen, um die genetische Variabilität von Bü ffeln zu studieren. Der gesamte ÔÔPolymorphic Information ContentÕÕ (PIC) fü r diese Marker war 0,54. Die durchschnittlichen beobachteten und erwarteten Heterozygotiewerte fü r beide Populationen waren 0,59 beziehungsweise 0,64. Gemeinsame Allele mit unterschiedlichen Frequenzen in beiden Populationen stellten auch die genetische Variabilität dar, die zwischen Bhadawari und Tarai Bü ffeln besteht. Jedoch zeigten die Schätzungen fü r die Populationsdifferenzierung (h) niedrige Werte zwischen den zwei Populationen an. Dies wird auch gestü tzt durch den niedrigen genetischen Abstand (0,155) zwischen Bhadawari und Tarai, der mit Nei's-Standard genetischer Distanzmethode (Ds) berechnet wurde. Die vorliegenden Untersuchungen anhand von Bhadawari-und Tarai-Populationen stellen eine dringend benö tigte Basis dar, die auch auf andere lokale indische Bü ffelpopulationen ausgeweitet werden kö nnte.

Genetic diversity of brazilian buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) using DNA microsatellites

“…The mean of observed heterozygosity (H o ) and expected heterozygosity or gene diversity (H e ) are close to those reported by Soysal et al (2005), Arora et al (2004), Flamand et al (2003) and Navani et al (2002). Moioli et al (2001) found values significantly lower in buffaloes from Greece, Italy and Egypt.…”

“…This allele mean number coincides with Soysal et al (2005) and Arora et al (2004) in buffaloes from Turkey and North of India, and Flamand et al (2003) and Barker et al (1997) in Buffaloes from Nepal, SouthEastern Asia and Australia. Four markers showed a great deficit of heterozygotes mainly in tree populations (table III).…”

“…In Turkey, Soysal et al (2005) also found a great genetic variability in the buffaloes of this country. In the opposite, Arora et al (2004) found a low level of variability in river buffalo populations in the North of India. Other authors also have also studied genetic differences among buffalo populations using microsatellites (Van Hooft et al, 1999;Moioli et al, 2001;Navani et al, 2002 andFlamand et al, 2003).…”

Isolation and inheritance of microsatellite loci for the oily bittering (Acheilognathus koreensis): applications for analysis of genetic diversity of wild populations

“…The range of expected heterozygosity of the markers in the two populations analyzed here was between 0.529 and 0.938; thus, the markers were appropriate for measuring genetic variation. PIC value is related to the availability and utilization efficiency of a marker; the higher the PIC value of the marker is in a population, the higher the heterozygote frequency is and the more genetic information it provides (Arora et al 2004). Genetic markers showing PIC values higher than 0.5 are normally considered informative for population genetic analyses (Botstein et al 1980).…”

Microsatellite Markers as a Tool for Characterization of Small Ruminants: A Review

“…In present days microsatellite markers are the markers of choice for a wide range of molecular genetic studies such as establishing genetic linkage maps (Arora et al, 2004), population structures and mating system analysis.…”