Mitochondrial DNA diversity of Pakistani goats

Pakistan contains numerous domestic goat breeds, but until now there has been no comprehensive study on genetic diversity or a phylogenetic analysis of Pakistani goats. In this study, we analysed the complete mitochondrial DNA D-loop and the cytochrome b gene of 13 Pakistani domestic goat breeds (Capra hircus) and one wild goat, the Sindh Ibex (Capra aegagrus blythi). The phylogenetic analyses and sequence divergence (SD) established four distinct mt-lineages termed as A, B and C (previously reported) and a new lineage D. The Sindh Ibex appeared as an outgroup of domestic goats. The estimated divergence times between the most recently evolved mt-lineages A and D were from 260,483 to 371,052 YA. This suggested that at least four different strains of wild Capra might have been the source of the modern domestic goats. The new mt-lineage D revealed high SD from mt-lineage A and may be the oldest branch under domestication, while mt-lineages B and C showed lower SD and might have been domesticated during an advanced stage of the domestication process.