GENETIC DIVERSITY OF CRESTED AND NON CRESTED DANDARAWI EGYPTIAN NATIVE CHICKEN BASED ON MICROSATELLITE MARKERS

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the genetic diversity and relationships of Dandarawi Egyptian native chicken phenotypes (crested (Cr) and non-crested (cr), using four microsatellite markers. According to morphological appearance this study was estimated various in reproductive traits of Dandarawi Egyptian native chicken phenotypes (crested (Cr) and non-crested (cr)). Seventy-two female from each of Cr and cr layer Dandarawi hens were chosen when egg production (EP) reached 50 %. Crested phenotype had higher significantly egg weight and egg number than cr during 2nd month and overall period. Four microsatellite markers were chosen based on the degree of polymorphism reported in the previous literature. The results revealed that all studied markers exhibited a varied percentage of polymorphism among native chicken populations. Based on cluster analysis two main clusters of chicken populations were identified. Two lines comprised of Dandarawi Egyptian native chicken phenotypes (crested (Cr) and non-crested (cr). Higher similarity was found between either (S10, S11), (S19, S29), (S2, S3), (S25, S26), or (S6, S7) populations. Genetic distance between each couple was 89.6%, 86.9%,78%,77.4% and 69.5% respectively. The genetic diversity we found among populations may be of interest for improving productive performance and adaptability.