Mitochondrial DNA Variation and Genetic Relationships in Indian Halari Donkey Breed using D-Loop Region

Abstract

Background: Halari donkey is a distinct breed of India that comes from the community of migrants from the regions of Halar, Bharwad and Rabaris of Gujarat. They have a brief history of travel and migration from arid and semi-arid regions of India. The population of Halari donkeys has fallen drastically in past and is further declining; therefore, these donkeys may be recognized as a threatened breed in near future. Methods: The genetic diversity of this breed was determined using the D-loop gene of 542 bp size belonging to mitochondrial DNA and compared with the complete mitochondrial genome of Equus asinus (NC_001788.1). In the present study, a total of 8 haplotypes were identified with haplotype diversity of 0.8152 and nucleotide diversity of 0.1281 indicating that the population has high genetic diversity. The Median-joining network tree and neighbour-joining trees revealed close clustering of the Halari donkeys. Result: The high nucleotide and haplotype diversity suggest Halari donkeys as a unique population and proper management and conservation is the need of the hour.