Thai Local Chicken Breeds, Chee Fah and Fah Luang, Originated from Chinese Black-Boned Chicken with Introgression of Red Junglefowl and Domestic Chicken Breeds

Abstract

Knowledge of the genetic characteristics, origin, and local adaptation of chickens is essential to identify the traits required for chicken breeding programs. Chee Fah and Fah Luang are black-boned chicken breeds reared in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Chickens are an important part of the local economy and socio-culture; however, the genetic diversity, characteristics, and origins of these two breeds have been poorly studied. Here, we investigated the genetic diversity, gene pool, and origin of the Chee Fah and Fah Luang chickens using mitochondrial DNA D-loop (mtDNA D-loop) sequencing and microsatellite genotyping, as well as habitat suitability analysis using maximum entropy modeling. The MtDNA D-loop sequencing and microsatellite genotype analyses indicated that the Chee Fah and Fah Luang chickens shared haplogroups A, B, and CD with Chinese black-boned chickens. Gene pool analysis revealed that the Chee Fah and Fah Luang chickens have distinct genetic patterns compared to Thai domestic chickens and red junglefowl. Some gene pools of red junglefowl and other Thai domestic chickens were observed within the Chee Fah and Fah Luang chicken gene pool structures, suggesting genetic exchange. The data indicate that the Chee Fah and Fah Luang chickens originated from Chinese indigenous black-boned chicken breeds and experienced crossbreeding/hybridization and introgression with red junglefowl and other domestic breeds during domestication. Interestingly, the Chee Fah and Fah Luang chickens from Chiang Rai shared the same allelic gene pool, which was not shared with the Chee Fah and Fah Luang chickens from Mae Hong Son, suggesting at least two gene pool origins in the Chee Fah and Fah Luang chicken populations. Alternatively, different gene pools in the Chee Fah and Fah Luang chickens from different localities might be caused by differences in environmental factors, especially elevation.