Study of the genetic origins of Iraqi native ducks using the cytochrome gene cytb
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54174/dcrepd38Keywords:
Anatidae, Phylogenetic tree, Biodiversity, Duck, Cytochrome cytbAbstract
The genetic origins of most domesticated duck breeds, as well as local ducks in Iraq, are primarily related to wild ducks (Anas platyrhynchos). Genetic studies on Iraqi local ducks are limited, so further genetic research is needed to more accurately determine their origins. These include the use of molecular techniques to identify breeds. In this study, the cytochrome b gene was selected for this purpose, as it is a mitochondrial gene widely used to distinguish animal species, including ducks. Twenty blood samples were collected from local Iraqi grey and white ducks from several areas of Basra Governorate. DNA was extracted in the molecular genetics laboratory at the College of Agriculture at the University of Basra. The cytochrome b gene was amplified using PCR. The samples were electrophoresed to examine the PCR product, and the nucleotide sequence was revealed using a microsequencing device. The results showed that the number of variable sites was 9, and the number of haplotypes was 10. The phylogenetic tree revealed a genetic affinity between the gray and white duck samples, with some samples having a genetic relationship with the Chinese and Indian ducks and no affinity with the American duck. The phylogenetic tree also revealed the presence of a distinct group from the other breeds of the aforementioned countries. Finally, the sequence analysis revealed slight changes in the nitrogenous base sequence in the cytochrome b gene segment, resulting in G<A702, T<C540, and A<G420 substitution mutations at more than one site. This is the goal of the study: to identify the genetic origins of the local duck by revealing the nitrogenous base sequence and identifying mutations. This is due to the scarcity of Iraqi studies on local ducks regarding species and breed identification.
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