Application of AFLP molecular markers to genetic characterisation of duck (Anas platyrhyncos), turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) and helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) Veneto breeds

In this work we summarize the results of the application of AFLP molecular markers to the genetic characterisation of some duck, turkey and helmeted guinea fowl Veneto breeds, whose conservation is the main aim of a regional project called “CO.VA.” (Cassandro, 2004). A total of 117 unrelated males reared in two nucleus units of CO.VA. project in 2003 were analyzed. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood obtained from 68 ducks (Anas platyrhyncos) belonging to the Mignon and the Germanata Veneta breeds, 28 turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) of two different breeds, Ermellinata and Comune Bronzato, and 21 Camosciata helmeted guinea fowls (Numida meleagris). AFLP genotyping was carried out following the protocol described by Barcaccia et al. (1999), modified for the use of TaqI endonuclease as the “frequent cutter” enzyme. In conclusion, AFLP markers allowed the genetic characterization of the three species; heterozigosity and Gst index can be used to monitor genetic variability within and among breeds, thus providing an important tool in the conservation scheme. In duck, AFLP markers permitted the genetic differentiation within species through cluster analysis and also by means of factorial analysis. In turkey, only cluster analysis allowed the distinction of the two breeds, but this result must be validated increasing the number of animals for Ermellinata breed.