Genetic and morphological variation in the Colombian Bombyx mori germplasm: A first SSR-based assessment.

ABSTRACT: Centuries of domestication have produced over 4000 Bombyx mori L. ecotypes, many of which share similar morphological and reproductive traits that hinder genetic improvement and differentiation. In Colombia, 67 silkworm lines are maintained; however, their industrial potential remains underutilized due to the lack of genetic and phenotypic data. To address this, we evaluated the genetic and morphological variability of the Colombian B. mori germplasm using 13 phenotypic traits and 23 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, 17 of which were polymorphic. Morphological traits such as voltinism (H' = 4.22), larval markings (H' = 4.057), and cocoon color (H' = 3.849) were the most informative in differentiating breeds. The SSR markers revealed 2-11 alleles per locus, with PIC values ranging from

SUBMITTER: Gonzalez-Munoz JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12338791 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature