The Genetic Diversity of Seven Pig Breeds in China, Estimated by Means of Microsatellites

Abstract

The polymorphisms of six microsatellites were investigated in four indigenous pig breeds (Erhualian, Tongcheng, Qingping and Wannanhua) and three introduced breeds (Large White, Landrace and Duroc) in China, and the genetic variations within and among populations were analyzed. The results showed that genetic diversity of Chinese indigenous pig breeds is higher than that of the introduced pig breeds. The clustering of seven breeds is consistent with their geographical distribution approximately. Estimated time of breed divergence ranged from 653 to 1856 years.