Genetic characterisation of Burkina Faso goats using microsatellite polymorphism

A total of 133 reproductive individuals belonging to the 3 Burkina Faso goat breeds (Djallonké, Mossi and Sahelian) were analysed for 27 microsatellites. Additionally, 72 blood samples belonging to two reproductively isolated subpopulations of the endangered Spanish Bermeya goat were used as outgroup. The between-Burkinabé goat breeds molecular coancestry varied from 0.418 ± 0.006 (Mossi–Sahelian) to 0.450 ± 0.007 (Djallonké–Mossi) and exceeded that computed between the Bermeya subpopulations (0.372 ± 0.006). Moreover, the computed between-Burkinabé FST's varied from 0.023 ± 0.003 (Djallonké–Mossi) to 0.038 ± 0.004 (Djallonké–Sahelian). Structure and degree of admixture of the Burkinabé goat population were assessed using the program STRUCTURE and showed a significant introgression of the Sahelian goat southwards. The classification of the Burkinabé goat into different breeds did not have strong genetic support at the microsatellite level due to the rough definition of livestock breeds in Africa, historical gene flow patterns and desertization. The Mossi goat can be considered a transition breed between the two major Burkinabé goat populations (Djallonké and Sahelian).