Use of RAPD-PCR for genetic analysis of Nicobari fowl of Andamans

1. The present study was conducted to estimate genetic relatedness among Nicobari fowls (Brown, Black and White) and an exotic bird (White Leghorn) using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) polymorphism. 2. A total of 25 decamer primers were screened among all the breeds of which 24 primers amplified the genomic DNA, generating 2000 to 200 bp bands. Ten primers generated reproducible and distinct RAPD profiles and were used for further analysis. 3. A total of 94 bands were amplified and 30 polymorphic bands (32%) were produced. The number of polymorphic loci ranged from 1 to 5 with an average of 3.0. 4. Among the native breeds Brown Nicobari showed higher genetic similarity (0.85) than Black Nicobari (0.80) and White Nicobari fowl (0.82). 5. Brown Nicobari showed high genetic similarity with Black Nicobari (0.87 +/- 0.029); least similarity was between White Nicobari and White Leghorn (0.77 +/- 0.028). 6. The RAPD profile of all Nicobari fowls on amplification with the primers PBG5 and PBA12 showed specific bands of molecular size 1050 and 785 bp, respectively. 7. The native breeds showed the least genetic distance with each other while White Leghorn appeared to be most distant from the native breeds.