Population structure and genetic diversity using microsatellite markers of four Algerian rabbit populations precludes hybridization with foreign breeds

Abstract

The genetic characterization of our native rabbit populations is crucial for their development of genetic improvement and conservation programs. In the current study, fifteen microsatellite markers were used to investigate the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationship among four Algerian popula-tions of rabbits; White (B), White and grey (G), Black and white (N) and Brown and white (M) in addition to Gabali (EG) and New Zealand White (EN) from Egypt. The microsatellites were INRACCDDV0003, SAT2, SAT3, SAT4, SAT5, SAT7, SAT8, SAT12, SAT13, SOL30, SOL33, SOL44, D3Utr2, D6Utr4 and D7Utr5. 90 animals were studied including 15 rabbits from each population. Results revealed that the average number of alleles per locus was 14.26 and the observed heterozygosity averaged 0.62 and ranging from 0.47 in marker SAT2 to 0.8 in marker, D6Utr4 while the expected heterozygosity averaged 0.72 and ranged from 0.62 in marker SAT2 to 0.77 in marker SOL44. The average polymorphic information content (PIC) was 0.85 and ranged from 0.77 at locus D3Utr2 to 0.93 at locus SOL33. Most loci showed deviations from Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium with highly significant level. The inbreeding coefficient of the individuals relative to the total population (FIT) was the highest 0.28. The within-population heterozygote deficit (FIS) averaged 0.13. The pairwise variation among the populations (FST) averaged 0.16 and rang-ing from 0.09 for D3Utr2 to 0.27 for SAT2. The highest pairwise Nei’s genetic distance was recorded between G and EG (0.87) and the closest genetic dis-tance for natif population was between M and N (0.33). The smallest pair-wise FST was recorded between G and M (0.059). B, G and M, N populations were clustered together forming admixed mosaic cluster.