Microsatellite DNA markers indicate three genetic lineages in EastAsian indigenous goat populations

The genetic differentiation and phylogenetic relationships of 18 indigenous goat popula-tions from seven East Asian countries were analysed based on data obtained from 26microsatellite DNA markers. The mean number of alleles (MNA) per population rangedfrom 2.5 to 7.6, with an average of 5.8. Genetic variability estimated from MNA and het-erozygosity (HEandHO) were relatively low in coastal and island populations. A hetero-zygous deficiency within populations (FIS=0.054,P<0.001) and total inbreeding(FIT=0.181,P<0.01) were observed, and genetic differentiation in the populations(FST) was 13.4%. The results of Bayesian model-based clustering and a neighbour-joiningtree based on Nei’s genetic distance showed that Asian goat populations could be subdi-vided into at least the following three genetic clusters: East Asian, Southeast Asian andMongolian. These results are in close accordance with conventional morphological andgeographical classifications and migration histor