Relatedness and diversity of nine Swedish local chicken breeds as indicated by the mtDNA D-loop

Abstract

In this study part of the mitochondrial D-loop was sequenced in a total of 40 samples from nine Swedish local chicken breeds. Among our 40 samples we observed 15 segregating sites and seven different haplotypes. The most common haplotype was present in all investigated individuals in five breeds and together with other haplotypes in three breeds. This haplotype is common in domestic chickens and has been found in both local and commercial breeds in many parts of the world. The breed Ölandshöna was most different from the other Swedish breeds with all three individuals sharing a haplotype that differed from the most common haplotype at nine of the 15 segregating sites.