Assessment of genetic diversity of the fat-tailed Dumba sheep of India by mitochondrial and microsatellite markers

Abstract

India has a centuries-old tradition of sheep production and breeding that accomplish economic, agricultural, and religious roles. In addition to the 44 registered sheep breeds, there is a fat-tailed sheep population referred to as Dumba. This study evaluated genetic variation in Dumba sheep and its differentiation from other Indian sheep breeds using mitochondrial DNA and genomic microsatellite loci. Haplotype and nucleotide diversity based on mitochondrial DNA analysis revealed substantially high maternal genetic diversity in Dumba sheep. Major ovine haplogroups A and B observed in sheep populations across the globe registered their presence in the Dumba sheep. The molecular genetic analysis using microsatellite markers also showed high measures of allele (10.125 ± 0.762) and gene diversity (0.749 ± 0.029). Results correspond to the non-bottleneck population that is near mutation-drift equilibrium despite some deficiency in the number of heterozygotes (F_IS = 0.043 ± 0.059). Phylogenetic clustering confirmed Dumba to be a distinct population. Results of this study endow authorities with critical information imperative for sustainable utilization and conservation of Indian fat-tailed sheep, which is considered to be an untapped genetic resource contributing to the food security, livelihood, and economic sustainability of rural households in marginal areas of the country.

Keywords:

• Sheep
• genetic diversity
• microsatellite markers
• mitochondrial DNA
• population differentiation

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to the Director, ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal for providing facilities. Our sincere gratitude to all sheep keepers to allowed collecting blood samples from their animals. We also sincerely thank the Director, Animal Husbandry, Govt. of Rajasthan (India) and Deputy Directors of Jaipur, Ajmer and Nagour districts and all veterinary officers of distribution area of Dumba sheep for extending their help during blood collection.

Author contributions

AKM conceptualized the idea and surveyed the area. AJ surveyed the distribution of animals. SS helped in the survey and collected blood samples. RS, SA, and RA performed the experiments and analyzed the data. RS and SA wrote the manuscript. The manuscript was approved by all the authors.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.