Full Length Research Paper

Genetic characterization of two Sudanese goat breeds (Capra hircus) using RAPD molecular markers

Eisa El Gaali* and Mona Satti

Commission for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, National Center for Research, Ministry of Science and Technology, P. O. Box 2404, Khartoum, Sudan.

*Corresponding author. E-mail:elgaali@hotmail.com. Tel: +249-83-466373. Fax: +249-183-770701.

Accepted 2 March, 2009

Seven primers of randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) were selected to study the genetic variations among 14 individuals of goat (Capra hircus) from two domestic Sudanese goat breeds (Nilotic and Nubian). The test generated 59 entirely repeatable RAPD fragment bands and the statistical analysis showed 55 polymorphic bands among the 14 individuals. The genetic distances among the population range from 8 to 72%. The highest dissimilarity coefficient was between individuals within the Nilotic breeds while there was a comparatively low degree of differentiation among the Nubian population. The constructed UPGMA dendrogram of the coefficient of similarity showed that the Nubian clustered together while the individuals from the Nilotic form 4 groups. It was clearly seen that the link between the individual of the Nilotic is quite weak and some of them linked to the Nubian. The results of the study offer useful information about some Sudanese goat breeds. 

Key words: Capra hircus, RAPD marker, conservation genetics, Sudanese goats.