Genetic diversity in Tunisian dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) populations using microsatellite markers

Genetic diversity and relationships among three camel populations from three different geographic regions (Kebili, Medenine and Tataouine) in the South of Tunisia were estimated using a panel of six microsatellite markers. The total number of observed alleles across the three populations was 28. The mean number of alleles per locus was 3.33, 4, 4.17, and 4.67 for Kebili, Medenine, and Tataouine and across populations, respectively. The mean observed heterozygosity was 0.43, 0.43, 0.53 and 0.46 for Kebili, Medenine, and Tataouine and across populations, respectively. Observed heterozygosity values were lower than their respective expected heterozygosities (0.52, 0.57, 0.62 and 0.60). The mean estimates of F statistics were FIT = 0.27, FIS = 0.19 and FST = 0.09. These values were significantly different from zero (p < 0.05) and suggest a moderate differentiation of the camel population. The value of FST indicates that approximately 91% of the total genetic variation originates from differences among individuals within populations. Dromedaries in this study can be grouped into two distinct genetic entities: The Nefzawa (Kebili) and the Aaradh populations.