Evaluation of microsateIlite loci for assignment to critical populations in Indian chicken

Abstract

The assignment of individuals to their population of origin has been attempted in Indian chicken populations using 25 highly polymorphic microsatellite loci. The correct assignment was maximized with combination of various loci ranked on the basis ofdiscriminatory power ofthe loci. The assignment accuracy of99% could be achieved in all the IS chicken populations utilizing only 21 microsatellite loci. With LOD score of 2 the assignment accuracy was 950/0 with 20 top ranked loci. The critical population method was also employed and 6 chicken populations, viz. Ankleshwar, Danki, Kadaknath, Miri, Nicobari and Punjab Brown were genetically distinct while remaining 9 populations were either admixed or have recent divergence.