Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Fat-Tailed Coarse-Wooled Sheep Breeds <i>Ovis aries</i> from Kazakhstan.

ABSTRACT: Sheep play a central role in Kazakhstan's pastoral economy, yet the maternal genetic composition of its traditional breeds remains poorly characterized. We analyzed partial mitochondrial D-loop sequences (848 bp) from 115 individuals of three fat-tailed coarse-wooled breeds (Edilbay, Kazakh fat-tailed coarse-wooled, and Gissar) to assess genetic diversity, population structure, and phylogenetic relationships. Ninety-eight haplotypes were identified, indicating high haplotype diversity (Hd = 0.996 ± 0.002) and moderate nucleotide diversity (π = 0.02624 ± 0.00048). Haplotypes clustered into haplogroups A (57.4%) and B (42.6%), with Edilbay dominating the star-like cluster of haplogroup A, consistent with recent expansion. AMOVA revealed that most variation (92.03%) occurred within population

SUBMITTER: Dossybayev K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12568133 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature