Abstract:
The main focus of this research is to determine the molecular phylogeny and characterization of Mundri Sheep (Ovis aries) through
sequencing of mitochondrial Cytochrome b
and Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit I (COI).
This sheep breed appears morphologically
different from other local sheep breeds of Pakistan. The current research is carried out to
appraise the status of Mundri sheep whether
it is a different breed from other breeds or not.
Blood samples of Mundri sheep were collected from Livestock Experiment Station, (LES)
Fazilpur in district Rajanpur (Punjab). DNA
was isolated and subjected to Polymerase
Chain Reaction (PCR) for amplification of Cytochrome b and COI genes using appropriate
primers. PCR products were sequenced and
analyzed by MEGA X software. The phylogeny analysis categorized Ovis aries including
Mundri sheep into three and two groups for
Cytochrome b and COI genes respectively.
It showed Mundri sheep as a separate group
and thus as a separate breed from all other
local sheep breeds. Hence the study validates
based on Cytochrome b and COI that Mundri
sheep is a distinctive breed from the rest of the
local sheep breed.
