Animal Molecular Breeding, 2016, Vol.6, No.3, 1-5
1
Review Article Open Access
Conservation of Genetic Diversity: It’s Relevance in Poultry Production
Ebegbulem V.N. , Ita U.R.
Department of Animal Science, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
Corresponding email,
l.com
Animal molecular Breeding, 2016, Vol.6, No.3 doi:
6.0003
Received: 03 Mar., 2016
Accepted: 28 Apr., 2016
Published: 16 May, 2016
Copyright © 2016
Ebegbulem and Ita, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits
unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Preferred citation for this article
:
Ebegbulem V. N. and Ita U. R.,
2016, Conservation of Genetic Diversity: It’s Relevance in Poultry Production, Animal molecular Breeding, 6(3): 1-5 (doi:
6.0003
)
Abstract
Genetic diversity refers to the total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic make-up of a species. It shows
variation that exists between breeds of the same species. Genetic diversity serves as a way for populations to adapt to changing
environment. An increasing loss of genetic diversity has been observed for all agriculturally used species and poultry genetic
resources are considered to be the most endangered. Selective breeding by humans has led to the creation of many breeds
characterized by high productivity, leading to the displacement of local breeds and posing a threat to the survival of many native
breeds. Genetic resources are the building blocks for poultry development. The relevance of genetic diversity conservation in poultry
production cannot be overemphasized because genes play a major role in formation of breeds and species. With recent advances in
molecular technology, a number of techniques for in-depth genome analysis and evaluation of genetic variation in different breeds of
poultry have been developed.
Keywords
Genetic diversity; Conservation; Poultry; Genetic resources
1 Introduction
Genetic diversity (level of biodiversity), refers to the total number of genetic characteristics in the genetic
make-up of a species (Wikipedia, 2013). Poultry biodiversity refers to the genetic variants available within and
among poultry species (chicken, turkey, quail, duck, goose, guinea fowl, pheasant).
Local poultry breeds make up most of the world poultry genetic diversity and are very important in the developing
world like Nigeria, where they represent up to 65% of the total poultry production. In Nigeria, local poultry
species of economic importance include the indigenous chicken, guinea fowl and duck. These local breeds are
well adapted to extensive husbandry systems or backyard poultry production, unlike the exotic breeds. They are
results of millennia of years of evolution and are therefore adapted to the local environment.
As breeds continue to undergo diversity and variation, most of the desirable genetic materials are lost. In 2010, the
number of avian breeds classified at high risk of loss and under threat of extinction increased to 30% ( Semik and
Krawczyk, 2011). Conservation principles help to preserve the genetic constituent of species which are necessary
for species to evolve. Species that have less genetic variation are at a greater risk. Laikre (2010) observed that the
importance of genetic variation for maintaining biological diversity and evolutionary processes has been
recognized by researchers for decades. This realization, the author opined, prompted agreements by world leaders
to conserve genetic diversity. However, very little action has been taken to protect genetic diversity on a global
scale. In Nigeria, genetic diversity conservation has remained largely a mere academic exercise. Outside the
academia very little has been done in practical management and in national policy implementation.
This paper seeks to highlight the relevance of conservation of genetic diversity to poultry production and to
review the principles involved in the conservation of genetic diversity in poultry.
2 Causes of Loss of Genetic Diversity in Breeds of Poultry
Decline in poultry genetic diversity and genetic variation are caused by the following factors
