Genetic diversity, population structure and phylogeography of Myanmar goats

The diversity of goats in Myanmar is represented by three indigenous breeds, Jade Ni, Nyaung Oo and Waithar Li. This study aimed at characterizing the genetic diversity and relationship of Myanmar goat breeds using microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA variations. A total of 147 goats from all three indigenous breeds were genotyped at 27 microsatellite loci. Genetic diversity in terms of allelic polymorphisms, observed and expected heterozygosities were moderately high. The mean observed heterozygosity within breeds varied between 0.566 ± 0.183 (Nyaung Oo) and 0.595 ± 0.182 (Waithar Li) while the expected heterozygosity varied from 0.605 ± 0.181 (Jade Ni) to 0.647 ± 0.176 (Waithar Li). Considerable heterozygosity deficit ranging from 5.5% to 8.2% was observed in Myanmar goat breeds. Wright’s F statistics revealed most of the variations within breeds and only 1.9% of the total observed variation was explained by between breed differences. Principal components and Bayesian clustering analy...