GENETIC DIVERSITY OF IRAQI LOCAL GOAT BREEDS BY RAPD DNA MARKERS

Genetic diversity of three Iraqi local goat breeds (Black, Hybrid, and Meriz) was studied by using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Fifteen primers were used, they generated a total 259 amplification products, from which 142 bands polymorphic, revealing 55.29% polymorphism. It found that the mean value Nei’s gene (h) Shannon's ınformation index (I) 0.1778 0.2546, respectively. According to analysis genetic distances among breeds, highest distance recorded between Black Hybrid 0.5108, while lowest Meriz 0.1431. The phylogenetic dendrogram based on in agreement with their phenotypic similarities tree separated surveyed into two clusters, first one including breed, second cluster includes breeds. These results indicated breed is most genetically distant both Finally, moderate for polymorphism obtained present study indicate these are different, provide good background about improvement conservation our future.