Mitochondrial DNA Diversity and Phylogenetic Relationships

Domesticated goats (Capra hircus) are generally referred to as poor-man’s cow because of the significant role they play in the economic life of resource poor farmers in the traditional farming system. In Kenya, despite goats being the second largest livestock species in terms of numbers, little has been done in terms of genetically defining the various indigenous Kenyan goat breeds. In addition, there is general concern that the genetic diversity within these indigenous goats is disappearing through breed substitution, indiscriminate crossbreeding with exotic breeds and the absence of breed development programs. Genetic characterization of these goat breeds is therefore urgently as it will help in making implementation of rational and effective conservation and utilization strategies for these goats. This book details the genetic characterization of two main indigenous goat breeds in Kenya based in mitochondrial DNA sequences and suggests their possible maternal lineage.