Genetic variability among pig populations in Imo State, Nigeria using random amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR

Random amplified Polymorphic DNA polymerase chain reaction (RAPD DNA-PCR) was employed to access the genetic variability and phylogenetic relationship among pig populations in Imo State. Genomic DNA from 50 pigs comprising of at least 10 pigs per geopolitical zone of Imo state were extracted and two highly polymorphic primers utilized to estimate variability, phylogenetic relationship among the pigs and their genetic diversity. The genetic distance and genetic identity estimated showed that genetic distances (D) calculated ranged between 0.0300 (Songhai vs FUTO) and 0.1497 (Mbaise vs Awo-Idemili), while the genetic identity (I) calculated ranged between 0.8610 (Mbaise vs Awo-Idemili) and 0.9704 (Songhai vs FUTO). Similarity was observed between Songhai, Mbaise and FUTO populations, while Mbano and Awo–idemili exhibited dissimilarity. The phylogenetic tree showed that Songhai, FUTO and Mbaise populations are more closely related while Mbano and Awo-idemili are more genetically distant. The standard genetic diversity (h*) of total population ranged from 0.0001 to 0.4998 with an average of 0.3208, while Shannon's information index (I*) ranged from 0.0001 to 0.6929 with a mean of 0.4762. This study shows that genetic diversity of the RAPD DNA polymorphs amongst pig populations in Imo State is low while the genetic relationship between the different populations varies from population to population.