International Journal of Education, Science and Social Sciences

Original Articles

Vol. 3 No. 2 (2024)

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Domestic Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) (L) Ecotypes from Eight Selected Kenyan Counties Using Microsatellite Markers

Published
2024-09-25

Abstract

This study estimated the molecular diversity among Kenyan rabbit populations using microsatellites. Seven microsatellite loci were used in the study and eight counties were sampled purposively because they are the major rabbit rearing areas. Summary statistical parameters of genetic variability within and between populations confirmed that the highest genetic diversity was found in the Kenyan rabbits. The observed number of alleles for all the microsatellites was 2.0 while the mean effective number of alleles was 1.65. The mean values of Ho and He recorded in the study were 0.903 and 0.89 respectively. Nei’s genetic diversity indices varied from 0.335 to 0.578 for markers SOL30 and SAT8 respectively with a mean of 0.353.  All the microsatellite markers used in the study were polymorphic and the average polymorphic index was very high (0.808). The genetic differences measured among counties was 6%, while 94% of the genetic variation was attributed to within county genetic diversity indicating that population variation observed was genetic and not due to geographical differentiation. Factorial and polymorphic analyses revealed that the Kenyan rabbit population is clustered into three groups but failed to deduce geographical segregation. This research provides an overview of the genetic diversity of rabbit populations in Kenya. The findings of this study will be useful to guide future breeding programs for enhanced productivity and genetic conservation.

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