Genetic relatedness between Ardi, Black Bedouin and Damascus goat breeds

Abstract

ABSTRACT.The present study aimed to analyze genetic relatedness and differentiation of common native goat populations in some countries of the Middle East. The populations were Ardi, Black Bedouin, and Damascus goats in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Syria, respectively. Domesticated goats of the Middle East are mostly related to common ancestors, but there is limited molecular genetic evidence. Four microsatellite DNA markers were genotyped in 89 individuals of the three populations using an automated genetic analyzer. Ardi, Black Bedouin, and Damascus goats exhibited high average allele number and expected heterozygosity of 8.25, 9, and 7.25, and 0.750, 0.804, and 0.779, respectively. F-statistics for population differentiation showed 6.0% of total genetic variation, whereas 94.0% as differentiation between individuals within all populations. The least varied within populations was Ardi goats, then Damascus goats and finally Black Bedouin goats. Furthermore, the Damascus goat population was more differentiated from Black Bedouin goats than from Ardi goats. On the other hand, there was strong evidence of admixture between the majority of Ardi and Black Bedouin goat individuals but little with those of Damascus Goat genetic relatedness and phylogeny goats. Genetic distance between Ardi and Black Bedouin goats was the shortest, whereas it was the longest between Ardi and Damascus goats. The phylogenetic tree clearly revealed the expected degree of differentiation in the three populations. From a genetic conservation point of view, it is recommended to maintain the biodiversity of these distinct populations in case genetic migration of genetic resources and genetic conservation are absent.

Genetic diversity analyses of tropical goats from some countries of Middle East

“…These potential incidences of gene flow were expecting in the closer regions of the tropics. Similar results were reported for goats of geographically close countries (Cañón et al, 2006;Al-Atiyat and Aljumaah, 2014). Considering different species, similar observations of reshaping genetic structure by genetic network exchange were reported in sheep, camels, and horses, which were better adapted to tropical conditions and deserts and were the means of transport along the ancient routes (Liu, 2010;Warmuth et al, 2013).…”

“…In an agreement, Al-Atiyat and Aljumaah (2014) reported that 6.0% of total genetic variation was due to population variation of Ardi, Damascus, and Black Bedouin goats. The geographical partitioning study of goat diversity in Europe and the Middle East stated that 7% of the total genetic variation was explained by a difference between goat breeds (Cañón et al, 2006).…”

“…Therefore, genetic diversity and structure of tropical goats need more investigation and clarification. In this regard, genetic diversity of goats of some Arab countries such as Somalia, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, and Egypt were earlier investigated in different studies considering tropical and subtropical conditions and production systems with no selection practices (Cañón et al, 2006;Agha et al, 2008;Aljumaah et al, 2012;Al-Atiyat and Aljumaah, 2014;Al-Atiyat et al, 2015a,b;Elbeltagy et al, 2016). In general, the studies reported a high genetic diversity of the goat within their own country or in a comparison to those of temperate countries.…”

“…This allowed great mixing of goat breeds of nearby countries with those locals of each country. For instance, Damascus breed being a milk breed has always been used as a sire breed for improving the milking ability of the local herds composed of lower milking breeds in Fertile Crescent and Arabian Peninsula regions (Al-Atiyat and Aljumaah, 2014). In the present time, Saudi Arabia is importing a livestock, including goats, from all over the world ˗ like Somali goat of Somalia ˗ for local consumption and slaughtering during the religious feast, Eid Al-Adha.…”

Anti-Oxidative Biomarkers in Newborn Kids of Aardi Goats

“…They that the balance between oxidants and antioxidants may be impaired in neonatal animals. Aardi is an important local Saudi goats, with proven adaptation to arid environment [1]. Publications concerning the normal and abnormal levels of total as well as individual antioxidant profiles in Saudi breeds of ruminants are lacking.…”