Assessment of genetic diversity and admixture in two newly recognized cattle breeds of Eastern India

Abstract

The objective of this study was to quantify the genetic diversity of the 2 newly recognized cattle breeds, Ghumusari and Binjharpuri adapted in the coastal state of Odisha of India. Twenty-one microsatellite loci were used to estimate parameters of genetic diversity. Genotypes of 48 animals from each of the 2 breeds and 46 of Hariana were analyzed at 21 microsatellite markers for genetic diversity and genetic distance. There was high allelic as well as gene diversity in all the 3 breeds. Mean gene diversity ranged between 0.756 and 0.769. Genetically Ghumusari was closer to distantly located Hariana breed. Greater genetic distance was detected between Binjharpuri and Ghumasari, which are geographically closer to each other (about 250 km) and lowest genetic distance between geographically far away (about 1,800 km) Ghumusari and Hariana. Similar relationship between the 3 breeds was realized using different approaches, i.e. phylogenetic relationship, FST and PCA. The breed relationship inferences, which are based on genetic distance, provide additional tools for consideration in future conservation and breeding plans.

Keywords

• Conservation
• Gene diversity
• Genetic distance
• Genetic diversity
• Phylogenetic relationship