Genetic diversity assessment of the indigenous goat population of Benin using microsatellite markers

Abstract

Improved knowledge of the diversity within and among local animal populations is increasingly necessary for their sustainable management. Accordingly, this study assessed the genetic diversity and structure of the indigenous goat population of Benin. Nine hundred and fifty-four goats were sampled across the three vegetation zones of Benin [i.e., Guineo-Congolese zone (GCZ), Guineo-Sudanian zone (GSZ), and Sudanian zone (SZ)] and genotyped with 12 multiplexed microsatellite markers. The genetic diversity and structure of the indigenous goat population of Benin were examined using the usual genetic indices (number of alleles Na, expected and observed heterozygosities He and Ho, Fixation index FST, coefficient of genetic differentiation GST), and three different methods of structure assessment [Bayesian admixture model in STRUCTURE, self-organizing map (SOM), and discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC)]. The mean values of Na (11.25), He (0.69), Ho (0.66), FST (0.012), and GST (0.012) estimated in the indigenous Beninese goat population highlighted great genetic diversity. STRUCTURE and SOM results showed the existence of two distinct goat groups (Djallonké and Sahelian) with high crossbreeding effects. Furthermore, DAPC distinguished four clusters within the goat population descending from the two ancestry groups. Clusters 1 and 3 (most individuals from GCZ) respectively showed a mean Djallonké ancestry proportion of 73.79% and 71.18%, whereas cluster 4 (mainly of goats from SZ and some goats of GSZ) showed a mean Sahelian ancestry proportion of 78.65%. Cluster 2, which grouped almost all animals from the three zones, was also of Sahelian ancestry but with a high level of interbreeding, as shown by the mean membership proportion of only 62.73%. It is therefore urgent to develop community management programs and selection schemes for the main goat types to ensure the sustainability of goat production in Benin.

Forest fragmentation causes an isolated population of the golden takin (Budorcas taxicolor bedfordi Thomas, 1911) (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) in the Qinling Mountains (China)

“…The number of effective alleles in the three sampling populations was 4.395, slightly lower than that of other endangered wild animals in the same region, giant panda ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca ) 4.58 [ 40 ], golden monkey ( Rhinopithecus roxellana ) 5.05 [ 41 ], forest musk deer ( Moschus berezovskii ) 6.37 [ 42 ], goat ( Capra hircus ) 5.23 [ 43 ], and cattle ( Bos taurus )6.21 [ 44 ]. The average observed heterozygosity ( H O ) of B. t. bedfordi was 0.326, which was lower than that of the giant panda (0.488) [ 45 ], golden monkey (0.620) [ 46 ], goat (0.66) [ 47 ] and cattle (0.74) [ 44 ]. Our results confirm that the genetic variety of B. t. bedfordi was quite low.…”

Assessing the population structure and genetic variability of Kenyan native goats under extensive production system

“…Genetic diversity is essential in matters related to population evolution and adaptation to climate change as well as sustainability within population genetic selection 6 , 7 . Despite the molecular techniques being employed to assess genetic diversity and relationships within and among herds 7 – 9 , pedigree analysis remains the most convenient and cost-effective method. This is particularly true for tracking changes in genetic variability, once genomic relationships among founder animals are established 10 – 12 .…”