Biodiv Sci ›› 2008, Vol. 16 ›› Issue (5): 492-497.  DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1003.2008.08051

• Original Papers • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationship of rabbit breeds based on microsatellite DNA markers

Hongmei Sun*(), Xiumei Xing, Min Rong, Bo Cong   

  1. Institute of Special Economic Plants and Animals, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zuojia, Jilin 132109
  • Received:2008-03-06 Accepted:2008-08-25 Online:2008-09-20 Published:2008-09-20
  • Contact: Hongmei Sun

Abstract:

Genetic diversity of 22 rabbit breeds were investigated using 10 microsatellite DNA markers. The results showed that the average number of effective alleles ranged from 3.0 to 4.6, and the polymorphism information content (PIC) ranged from 0.4997 to 0.7009, showing highly polymorphic. The lowest genetic distance (0.0087) was observed between American rex rabbit and Germany rex rabbit, while the highest genetic distance (1.2712) was observed between Germany white rabbit and Changm. UPGMA cluster analysis based on genetic distance showed that the 22 breeds could be divided into three groups. The first group contained Jirong-Ⅰand Jirong-Ⅱ rabbit, Saibei rabbit and Habai rabbit comprised a second group, and the other populations in the third group. The results may provide theoretical basis for conservation and exploitation of rabbit breeds in China.

Key words: rabbit, microsatellite marker, genetic diversity, phylogenetic relationship