Mitochondrial DNA diversity of Pakistani goats

Abstract

Pakistan contains numerous domestic goat breeds, but until now there has been no comprehensive study on genetic diversity or a phylogenetic analysis of Pakistani goats. In this study, we analysed the complete mitochondrial DNA D‐loop and the cytochrome b gene of 13 Pakistani domestic goat breeds (Capra hircus) and one wild goat, the Sindh Ibex (Capra aegagrus blythi). The phylogenetic analyses and sequence divergence (SD) established four distinct mt‐lineages termed as A, B and C (previously reported) and a new lineage D. The Sindh Ibex appeared as an outgroup of domestic goats. The estimated divergence times between the most recently evolved mt‐lineages A and D were from 260 483 to 371 052 YA. This suggested that at least four different strains of wild Capra might have been the source of the modern domestic goats. The new mt‐lineage D revealed high SD from mt‐lineage A and may be the oldest branch under domestication, while mt‐lineages B and C showed lower SD and might have been domesticated during an advanced stage of the domestication process.