Genetic and Phylogenetic Analysis of the Mitochondrial Genome in Khuzestan Buffalo

A molecular study of the buffalo genetic structure can be effective for better understanding the origin of this animal. Among the molecular markers, mitochondrial genomic sequencing is one of the best and most commonly used methods for genetic classification of populations and species close together, studying the possibility of deriving different species from a common ancestor, studying the phylogenic relationship of each species with other species and races, and obtaining solutions for conservation genetic resources. The purpose of this research was to determine the sequence of 12s rRNA and 16s rRNA regions of Khouzestan buffalo.

For this study, 30 blood samples collected from both sexes of unrelated Khuzestan buffalo. After DNA extraction, the target regions amplified by corresponding specific primers by PCR technique and sequenced after purification.
 

The results of matching the sequences of 12srRNA and 16srRNA regions of Khuzestan buffalo showed that there was no mutation in this population, which indicates low diversity in Khuzestan buffalo population. According to this study, the 12srRNA and 16srRNA regions are encoding regions and the mutation and diversity are low. The results of the phylogenetic test using UPGMA for both sites showed that the buffaloes of Iran with Indian and Italian buffaloes are in a closely spaced cluster.
 

Finally, the sequences generated from these regions were the first recorded in the gene bank with MG650115 access code and the name of the Khuzestan buffalo brought to the World Bank Gene, and this race introduced to international associations.