Evaluation of Genetic Diversity in Two Ecotypes of Local Chickens Using ISSR Marker and Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA)

Abstract

In order to determine the genetic diversity of local chickens (Naked neck strain) from two ecotypes (Calabar and Obudu) in Cross River State, Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) using four primers and Principal Coordinate analysis were performed. Genomic DNA extraction was done using CTAB protocol, followed by PCR amplification and observation by gel electrophoresis. The power maker software (ver. 3.5) was used to analyze the genetic diversity of the local chickens. Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) was also carried out. Results obtained, showed that genetic diversity ranged from 0.62 to 0.82 while polymorphic information content (PIC) ranged from 0.547 to 0.797. PCoA results revealed a total of 40.26% variation explained by axis 1, 2 and 3 based on genetic relationship. The results of the study can be used as baseline genetic information that can be assimilated with genetic information programs, to implement further genetic studies and breeding of the naked neck strain local chicken.