Origin and Phylogenetic Status of the Local Ashanti Dwarf Pig (ADP) of Ghana Based on Evidence from mtDNA Analysis, MC1R and Y-Chromosome Haplotypes

Characterisation of animal genetic resources provides relevant data for their conservation and sustainable use for food security and development. A study was carried out to determine the origin and phylogenetic status of the local Ashanti Dwarf Pig (ADP) of Ghana and their crosses with modern commercial breeds based on their MtDNA, MC1R and Y-chromosome sequence polymorphisms.

ADP display multiple haplotypes based on mtDNA sequence analysis but are closer genetically to European than Asian pigs. ADP also displays considerable variation in the MC1R gene with black coat colour being the most predominant within the breed. Predominant MC1R alleles found in local pigs of Ghana were the black spotting (E^P, 29%), Asian dominant black (E^D1, 25%) and European dominant black (E^D2, 21%). Within the subset of animals classified as ‘ADP’, the dominant black allele is of Asian origin, although the majority (58%) of MC1R alleles are of European origin.  Consequently, coat colour alone cannot be used to adequately characterise Ghanaian local pigs, and suggesting that presumed ADPs may have a different ancestry.

SNP genotyping data indicates that the ADP is genetically close to many European and Chinese pig breeds, but certainly distinct from other West African and Ghanaian breeds. Significant SNPs for lipid metabolism, skeletal development and thyroid function provide signatures for organoleptic qualities, lean carcass and body size and the potential for their preferential selection in the ADP.

Funding is being sought to identify potential signatures for genomic selection in the ADP and other local sus species in Africa.