Genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationship analyzed by microsatellite markers in eight Indonesian local duck populations.

Objective: At least eight local duck breeds have been recognized and documented as national germplasm of Indonesia so far. It is necessary to genetically characterize the local duck breeds for aiding conservation and future improvement strategies. Thus, this study was carried out to assess genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationship of eight local duck populations of Indonesia using microsatellite markers.

Methods: In total, 240 individuals (30 individuals each population) from Alabio (AL), Bayang (BY), Magelang (MG), Mojosari (MJ), Pegagan (PG), Pitalah (PT), Rambon (RM) and Turi (TR) duck populations were genotyped using 22 microsatellite markers.

Results: The results showed a moderate level of genetic diversity among populations, with a total of 153 alleles detected over all loci and populations, ranging from 3 to 22 alleles per locus. Observed (Ho) and expected heterozygosity (He), as well as polymorphism information content (PIC) over all loci and populations were 0.440, 0.566, and 0.513, respectively. Heterozygote deficiency in the overall populations (F_IT = 0.237), was partly due to the heterozygote deficiency within populations (F_IS = 0.114) and moderate level of genetic differentiation among populations (F_ST = 0.137). The most diverse population was MG (He = 0.545) and the least diverse population was AL (He = 0.368). The majority of populations were in heterozygote deficiency (except AL), relatively due to inbreeding. The genetic distances, phylogenetic trees, and principal coordinates analysis concluded that the populations can be grouped into two major clusters, resulting AL, MG, and MJ in one cluster separated to the remaining populations.

Conclusion: We summarized that the present study revealed a considerable genetic diversity of studied populations and thus, proper management strategies should be applied for preserving genetic diversity and preventing loss of alleles.