Genetic relationship among camels of India based on microsatellite data

Abstract

The microsatellite data on 4 breeds of dromedarian camel, viz. Bikaneri, Jaisalmeri, Kutchi and Mewari were analysed using Bactrian camel as an out-group. The genetic distances estimated included the distances based on allele frequency, purely geometric and arithmetic distances as well as genetic distances based on allele size (number of repeats). The genetic distances were utilized for construction of the phylogenetic trees using UPGMA and NJ algorithms. The genetic distances revealed very little differentiation among the 3 camel breeds, viz. Bikaneri, Jaisalmeri and Kutchi. The Mewari breed of camel was distinctive and the differences in allele frequency of this breed with other 3 dromedary breeds was attributed to small population size, inbreeding, drift and decreased gene flow.