Abstract
BACKGROUND: Climate change threatens global food security, highlighting the need for adaptive traits in livestock to ensure sustainable production. Rabbits, known for their unique adaptability, require the preservation of genetic diversity to maintain resilience. The decline in genetic specificity among indigenous breeds underscores the urgency of conservation efforts to protect these critical resources. OBJECTIVES: This study investigates the genetic structure and diversity of indigenous rabbit populations, emphasizing genetic mapping as essential for sustaining adaptability. The findings aim to guide breeding programs that enhance biodiversity and support agricultural resilience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study analyzed both native and exotic rabbit breeds. Native breeds included Black Baladi (BB), White Baladi (WB), Red Baladi (RB), and Jabali (JAB), while exotic breeds included New Zealand White (NZW), American Rex (AR), and Chinchilla (CH). Fourteen microsatellite loci were genotyped in 526 rabbits across all breeds. RESULTS: A total of 467 alleles were identified, with an overall mean of 5.03. The expected heterozygote frequencies were medium to high. Polymorphism was high in BB, JAB, and NZW, and medium in WB, RB, AR, and CH. F(IS) and F(IT) values (-0.044 and 0.156) suggested possible non-intensive inbreeding. F(ST) (0.220) showed breed differentiation and high within-breed variation. The gene flow averaged 1.872, indicating interbreed gene exchange. Neutrality and phylogenetic analyses revealed genetic reshaping; BB, WB, RB, AR, CH, and NZW showed overlap, while JAB retained high specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Urgent conservation strategies are essential to preserve native rabbit genetic diversity and unique traits, which are vital for sustaining biodiversity and livestock resilience globally.