Random amplified polymorphic DNA polymorphism in Rhodes Island Red chicken

Genetic polymorphism between two populations of Rhodes Island Red breed of poultry has been detected using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method and this polymorphism was further utilized in estimating the genetic similarity/genetic distance between these populations. Nine of the 25 random primers (about 36%) tested produced polymorphic pattern. A total of 78 bands were amplified from these selective primers and 21 of these (about 27%) bands were found to be polymorphic. The within population genetic variability, measured in term of genetic similarity based on band sharing as well as on band frequency was estimated to be 0.94 to 0.97 in Rhodes Island Red populations. The between population genetic similarity estimates were 0.96 and 0.86 when based on band sharing and band frequency respectively. The respective genetic distances were 0.029 and 0.112. Though both populations showed high within as well as between population genetic similarity, results revealed the effectiveness of RAPD markers in detecting the polymorphism within as well as between the populations. This polymorphism may be exploited further tor finding the association of RAPD markers with the productive traits for which the populations differed considerably.