Genetic Differentiation and Population Structure of Two Bulgarian Local Goat Breeds Using Microsatellite Markers
Georgi Yordanov,
Georgi Kalaydzhiev,
Nadezhda Palova,
Delka Salkova,
Lyudmila Lozanova,
Heliana Dundarova,
Tsonka Odjakova,
Pavel Todorov,
Georgi Radoslavov,
Peter Hristov
Affiliations
Georgi Yordanov
Executive Agency for Selection and Reproduction in Animal Breeding, 1766 Sofia, Bulgaria
Georgi Kalaydzhiev
Department of Animal Husbandry—Ruminants and Dairy Farming, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
Nadezhda Palova
Scientific Center of Agriculture, Agricultural Academy, 8300 Sredets, Bulgaria
Delka Salkova
Department of Experimental Parasitology, Institute of Experimental Morphology, Pathology and Anthropology with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
Lyudmila Lozanova
Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
Heliana Dundarova
Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
Tsonka Odjakova
Research Centre of Stockbreeding and Agriculture, Agricultural Academy, 4700 Smolyan, Bulgaria
Pavel Todorov
Research Centre of Stockbreeding and Agriculture, Agricultural Academy, 4700 Smolyan, Bulgaria
Georgi Radoslavov
Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
Peter Hristov
Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
Establishing genetic diversity in the population is an essential first step for the sustainable conservation of valuable genetic resources under threat of extinction. Two local goat breeds, Kalofer long-haired (KLH) and Bulgarian screw-horned long-haired (BSHL), were genotyped using a panel of 14 microsatellite markers to determine their population structure and differentiation. The overall mean number of alleles was 8.82, higher in BSHL (9.71) as compared with KLH (7.92). The Ho and He values were almost equal for BSHL (0.75; 0.76, respectively) and KLH goats (0.74; 0.76, respectively). The value of the coefficient of population differentiation (FST) was very low (0.024), indicating only 2% genetic differentiation between the two goat breeds. The structure and PCoA analyses revealed considerable overlap between the two breeds, although some flocks of each breed differentiated from the common genetic pool. The results obtained in the present study can serve to differentiate purebred animals that are the basis of a selection process and a breeding strategy with a view to the conservation of these two local goat breeds.
