Median-Joining Network Analysis of Phylogeny of Goat Breeds from South China

The phylogenetic median-joining (MJ) network algorithm which offers new features compared with reduced median (RM) network algorithm in that it can handle larger sets of genetic data, as well as multistate data such as amino acid sequences. We investigated phylogeny of 211 goat individuals from South China based on the MJ network analysis of mtDNA D-loop HVI fragments (481 bp) in conjunction with corresponding 33 sequences as references. The goats from South China were classified into only two genetic lineages (lineage A and lineage B). No haplotypes of Chinese goats were included in lineage C, lineage D, lineage F or lineage G. One hundred and sixty-six goat individuals belonged to one lineage A, and forty-five belonged to lineage B. Therefore, we proposed that goats from South China were originated from lineage A and lineage B in matrilineal lineages. The population from lineage A had experienced population expansion, while the those from lineage B had not experienced population expansion.