Analysis of Genetic Variation in a Japanese Quail Population Using Microsatellite Markers

Genetic variation within and between Japanese Quail strains including Pharach (Ph), Panda (Pa), Manchurian Golden (Mg) , Tuxedo (Tu) Canadian Pharach ( CP ) and English White ( EW) were studied using microsatellite markers in Bonab and Meybod stations. Whole blood samples were collected from 200 and 150 individuals belonging to four strains in Bonab and Meybod stations, respectively. Total Genomic DNA was extracted using GUSN _Silica Gel kit. In Bomab station the lowest and highest observed heterozygosities for all populations were estimated in GUJ0097 (0.6538) and GUJ0001 (0.1132), respectively. The highest and the lowest PIC values were calculated as GUJ0059 in MG (0.8184) and GUJ0041 in Pa strain (0.4275) respectively. The lowest DA and DS genetic distances were obtained between Ph and Tu, and the highest between Tu and Mg. The lowest and highest Rogers and Wright genetic distaces were obtained between Tu with Ph and Pa with Mg, respectively. Also, the lowest and highest coansectry distance was obtained between Tu with Ph, and Pa with Mg, respectively. based on phylogenres drown from DA, DS, Rogers, Wright and coansectry distances were drown using unweighted pair-group method using an arithmetic average (UPGMA), Ph, Tu and Pa were located together at one cluster and Mg at another. In Maybod station the lowest and highest observed heterozygosities for all populations were obtained in loci GUJ0083 (1) and GUJ0099 (0.7273), respectively. The highest and the lowest PIC values were estimated in GUJ0023 for SP (0.6964) and GUJ0083 for EW strain (0.7438) respectively. The lowest and the highest DA and DS genetic distances were obtained between Ph and Tu, and between Tu and Mg respectively. The lowest and highest DA , DS , Rogers (1972) , Wright (1978) genetic and coansectry genetic distances were obtained between (CP) with ( SP ) and with ( EW) respectively. The phylogenies based on DA, DS, Rogers, Wright and coansectry distances by using unweighted pair-group method using an arithmetic average (UPGMA) showed one cluster including CO, SP and MG and EW at another. In conclusion microsatellite markers could be a useful tool in order to screening of biodiversity among poultry.