Investigating the Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Jabal
Akhdar Goats Using Genome-Wide Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Markers
Abstract
Omani Jabal Akhdar goats are highly valued for their resilience,
superior growth rate and twinning rate compared to other Omani goats.
Therefore, understanding their genetic diversity and population
structure is imperative for sustainable breeding efforts and
conservation of the breed. This study aimed to assess the genetic
diversity and population structure of Jabal Akhdar goats by genome-wide
nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using the Illumina 50K Goat Chip.
Multidimensional Scaling Analysis (MDS) and Admixture analysis revealed
that Jabal Akhdar goats has a distinct genetic ancestry that is a
mixture between the Asian and African goat lineages which highlights the
historic maritime trading and activities of the Omanis with both
continents. The MDS analysis and the Reynolds unweighted distances both
showed that the Jabal Akhdar goats share a close genetic ancestry with
West Asian breeds such as Iranian Bezoar, the Australian Cashmere breed,
and Turkish goats such as the Kil breed, all of which are adapted to
cold climates and high elevations. Notably, the breed exhibited a
reasonable inbreeding level (0.219), comparable to other West Asian
breeds, indicating adequate levels of genetic diversity. This study
represents the first genome-side characterization of the Jabal Akhdar
goats breed. Despite its moderate inbreeding levels, attention should be
focused on conservation efforts to safeguard the distinctive genetic
diversity of Jabal Akhdar goats to prevent the erosion of its genetic
diversity or admixture with exotic commercial breeds.