Abstract: In this paper, the genetic diversity of five native goat breeds (Niutui, Huai, Henan Dairy, Taihang Black, and Funiu White) in Henan Province was evaluated by using 18 microsatellite loci. For the five goat breeds, the 18 microsatellite loci were all highly polymorphic. The higher polymorphism information content (PIC), higher heterozygosity (Hz), and larger number of alleles suggested the higher genetic diversity, and the greater genetic variation of the breeds. Cluster analysis showed that Niutui goat had a closer relationship with Taihang Black goat, but a relatively far relationship with Henan Dairy goat. The coefficient of genetic differentiation and the genetic distance indicated that the variation mainly existed within the breeds, but small variation also existed among the breeds. In combining with the actual eco-geographic distribution of the five goat breeds, a conservation mode of avoiding inbreeding and implementing selective hybridization was proposed.

Key words: goat, Henan Province, microsatellite marker, genetic diversity, cluster analysis, truffles, principal component analysis, ecology, comprehensive evaluation.