mtDNA diversity and phylogeography of some Turkish native goat breeds

Summary: Mitochondrial DNA is one of the most preferred markers being used in phylogenetic studies in domestic animals due to its unique features. In this study, the mitochondrial DNA control region was analyzed in Angora, Honamli, Kilis, Hair and Norduz goat breeds (n=252) to reveal diversity of mitochondrial DNA, differentiation of goat breeds, and relevance between genetic differentiations and geographic distributions. Based on the performed analysis methods, three different haplogroups; A, D and G were determined for breeds studied. Two duplication insertions (77bp) were observed in two animals from different breeds. In comparison with goat breeds throughout the world, the haplotype number, higher nucleotide and haplotype diversity values (π=0,02100, ±0,00073 and H=0,9982, ±0,0006 respectively) for goat breeds studied in the present study, indicate that Turkey has been situated in a central position during the domestication process of the goat specie. Based on our haplotype sharing detection results, Kilis and Norduz breeds, which are known as crossbreeds of Hair goats, do not share haplotypes with Hair goats, thus, the history of these breeds should be further investigated. The results of the study also gave hints that conservation flocks should be promoted immediately in local breeders for Norduz breed, which is under risk of extinction, along with a controlled mating program to prevent loss of genotypes. In this study, an inexpensive novel method based on PCR- RFLP was introduced to determine G haplotype, a unique haplotype to Fertile Crescent regions.