Abstract

Background:
Genetic diversity plays a critical role in the conservation and enhancement of genetic resources, including those of indigenous livestock populations.

Aim:
This study aims to analyse the genetic diversity of the Jambi buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) population based on the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (ND1) gene.

Methods:
A total of 93 samples from five subpopulations in Jambi: Tebo (23), Batanghari (21), Merangin (9), Kerinci (13), and Tanjung Jabung Barat (9), as well as comparison samples from North Sumatra/Sumut (6), Banten (4), and Riau (8), were analyzed in this study. Sequencing of the ND1 gene was conducted, and the resulting data were analyzed using MEGA11, BioEdit, DnaSP6, and NETWORK software.

Results:
A total of seven haplotypes were identified in this study, with haplotype and nucleotide diversity values of 0.1184 and 0.0015, respectively. The analysis of haplotypes indicated that the Jambi buffalo populations (Tebo, Batanghari, and Kerinci) have not mixed genetically with other groups and are probably the original ancestors of other buffalo in Jambi Province. Phylogenetic tree analysis further revealed that Jambi buffaloes share common ancestry with populations from China and mainland Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar.

Conclusion:
Based on the mitochondrial ND1 gene (NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1), we can conclude that the genetic diversity of Jambi buffalo is low.

Key words: Bubalus bubalis; Haplotype diversity; NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1.