Review of Grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) Genetics

Select Volume / Issue:

• Volume 6,Issue 5, Sept. 2019

Year:

2019

Type of Publication:

Article

Keywords:

Thryonomys Swinderianus, SNPs, Microsatellite Markers, Genetics

Authors:

Njoku-Onu, Kingsley Abba; Inyang, Joseph Obo; Abdullahi, Muhammad Sani; Domo, Iniekatimi Sokare; Abbas-Adediran, Hassanatu; Kenge, Bitrus Namode

Journal:

IJRAS

Volume:

6

Number:

5

Pages:

169-173

Month:

September

ISSN:

2348-3997

Abstract:

The objective of this study was to review articles on the genetics of grasscutter Thryonomys swinderianus, a micro livestock that has not been extensively studied. Access to a comprehensive information on Grasscutter genetics isn’t readily available hence the need to put together the results of all the efforts made in researches about Grasscutter genetics. The study on heritability of grasscutter revealed that litter weights at birth (0.56) and weaning (0.66) are highly heritable with strong genetic correlation (r=0.59). Maternal effect is important in grasscutter and should be accounted for in breeding value estimation. Grasscutter is also seen to tend to be restless and hence need to be selected to be more docile. 1,209 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) has been discovered from a total of more than 21 000 candidate loci containing single SNPs. Also 33 novel microsatellite markers have been developed using next-generation sequencing technology and 26 different haplotypes with high haplotype diversity discovered among grasscutters in some agro ecological zones compared and this is attributed to the high mutation rate of the Mitochondria D-loop DNA.

Full text: IJRAS_793_FINAL.pdf [Bibtex]