Genetic diversity in Balkhi, Hashtnagri and Michni sheep populations using SSR markers

Morphological and genetic diversity among the three neighboring sheep breeds native to Central valley of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (KP, Pakistan) was investigated. A total number of 138 non relative individuals of Balkhi (46), Hashtnagri (44) and Michni (48) was sampled for morphological as well as molecular characters using 31 ovine specific SSR markers. Morphological observations and morphometric traits varied significantly among different sheep breeds. Balkhi having usually brown or white colour, with a tucked up fat tail was the larger breed. Hashtnagri is a medium sized breed; body covered with white wool, having long white tail, with a tail switch. The body colour of Michni sheep was usually brown or some times white. This breed is comparatively small in size with longer fat tail, hanging near (33.3%) or below (66.7%) hock. Total number of 119 alleles was identified with mean number of 3.8 alleles per locus, ranging from 2 to 8. Twelve unique alleles were identified in Michni population at different loci. Average gene diversity was higher in Michni (0.561). Inbreeding estimate (FIT) was significantly higher (27.1%) among three breeds and was highest between Balkhi and Hashtnagri (31%), similarly highest gene flow (Nm = 60.4) and lowest population differentiation (FST = 4.3%) was estimated between these two breeds. Maximum genetic distance was observed between Balkhi and Michni; however, Balkhi was genetically closed to Hashtnagri population. Balkhi and Michni were assigned at high accuracy to their respective population; however, the identity of Hashtnagri is obscure.Key words: Balkhi, Hashtnagri, Michni, simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, morphological characteristics, genetic diversity