Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Small Ruminant Research, cilt.254, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
This study aimed to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of three Cyprus sheep populations (Awassi, Cyprus Native Awassi, and Cyprus Native Local Fat Tail) using 20 microsatellite loci. A total of 224 alleles were detected across the loci, with an average of 11.2 alleles per locus. The mean number of alleles (Na) varied between populations, with Awassi (AW) showing the highest diversity (Na = 10.15) and Cyprus Native Local Fat Tail (CNLFT) exhibiting the lowest (Na = 3.70). The effective number of alleles ranged from 3.31 to 12.60, and polymorphic information content (PIC) values ranged between 0.53 and 0.94, indicating high polymorphism across the markers. Observed heterozygosity (HO) and expected heterozygosity (HE) values ranged from 0.54 to 0.62 and 0.53–0.74, respectively, with the Awassi population showing the highest levels of genetic variation. Inbreeding levels, assessed by the FIS coefficient, were positive and significant at most loci, with an average FIS value of 0.21, suggesting moderate inbreeding. The FST values (ranging from 0.026 to 0.259) and Nei's genetic distance (DA) values confirm moderate genetic differentiation among the populations, with CNLFT being the most distinct. Factorial correspondence analysis and results from STRUCTURE software, indicating three genetic clusters, also supported the clear genetic separation of CNLFT from the other two populations. The study also found significant departures from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) at 14 loci, likely due to inbreeding, genetic drift, or the presence of null alleles. Furthermore, null alleles were identified at high frequencies at certain loci, highlighting the need for careful interpretation of genetic differentiation. These results suggest limited genetic differentiation among the Cyprus sheep populations, with Awassi and Cyprus Native Awassi showing higher genetic diversity compared to the Cyprus Native Local Fat Tail population. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the genetic structure of Cyprus sheep populations and offers a foundation for future breeding and conservation strategies.