Analysis of genetic diversity of chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) populations in Khorasan-e-Razavi province of Iran by RAPD-PCR.

RAPD markers were used to investigate population genetic parameters of an endangered partridge, Alectoris chukar, in four areas of Iran, as a part of a genetic conservation program. The aim of this study was to analyze the genetic similarity among these populations. Blood samples from 75 birds were used for DNA extraction and RAPD-PCR analysis of 67 loci, with 28 polymorphic bands (41.79%). The populations of Kalat-e-Nader and Mashhad were found to be closely related, as were the Torbat-e-Jaam and the Quchan populations. Mean heterozygosity for all populations was 0.4405 ± 0.0755. The results indicate that chukar partridge genetic diversity in Khorasan-e-Razavi province is sufficient and the amount of gene flow among populations is acceptable.