The Genetic Variation among Populations of Mallard and Muscovy Duck using Serum Proteins

Abstract

Loss of genetic variety in native livestock populations has been a major global concern that can be preserved through researches on genetic diversity of livestock species. The genetic variation between Mallard and Muscovy breeds of duck was studied using blood proteins (Haemoglobin, Transferrin and Albumin) markers. A total of 80 ducks comprising 40 Mallard and 40 Muscovy were used. Separation of blood protein genotypes was achieved using cellulose acetate electrophoresis and analyzed using Tools for Population Genetics Analyses (TFPGA) software. Only Mallard populations were observed to be significant (p<0.05) while Muscovy populations were not significant (p>0.05). Two alleles A and B controlling three genotypes (AA, AB and BB), were observed in two loci (Transferrin, Haemoglobin, and Albumin) while three alleles A, B and C controlling six genotypes. The mean values for the observed and expected
heterozygosity for the populations were 0.472 and 0.471 respectively while the mean value gene diversity (D) was 0.459 indicating low genetic variability. The heterozygote excess FIT was estimated at 0.026while within breed excess as evaluated by FIS was -0.004. The fixation index FST (0.046) revealed that genetic diversity within the studied population was slightly differentiated. Genetic distance among the populations quantified through calculation of Nei’s Genetic distance was 0.039 while the identity was 0.961. Similarity in the estimated genetic variability parameters between the breeds indicates that the populations are closely related and there were no appreciable differences among them.