The objective of this work was to characterize genetically, using RAPD markers, two genetic groups of buffalos, Carabao and Baio, which are being conserved in situ, as well as to verify the genetic relationship among them and the other three genetic groups of buffalos raised in Brazil, considered as commercial breeds: Murrah, Jaffarabadi and Mediterrâneo. Forty eight animals of each group were studied, with the exception of the Murrah and Mediterrâneo, in which 47 and 42 animals, respectively, were sampled, comprising a total of 233 animals. The 21 polymorphic primers produced 98 markers. Genetic variability within and between groups was estimated in 26.5 and 73.5%, respectively, suggesting a significant divergence among groups. On the analysis between pairs of groups, the divergence was about 40 and 18%, respectively, when the Carabao x Mediterranâneo and the Murrah x Jaffarabadi were compared. The estimated genetic divergence between Baio and Murrah groups was 20.42%, indicating that they are distinct groups. The five genetic groups are genetically distinct, indicating the need to conserve the Carabao and Baio, two genetic groups in danger of extinction in Brazil.
Bubalus bubalis; genetic characterization; molecular markers
