Genetic and phenotypic variations of Productive Performance of two different plumage-color strains of Japanese quail

Abstract In Japanese quails, plumage color mutations resulted in many quail’s varieties. Therefore, identifying the genetic and phenotypic variations between the available quail’s varieties could be effective to determine the appropriate egg/meat producing quail variety that suits the breeders’ demand. Thus, the present study aimed to detect the phenotypic differences between two different quail varieties, brown (BB) and white (WW) feathered quails, and their reciprocal crosses (BW & WB) over two successive generations. Body weights, carcass traits, and egg weights and quality were considered as basic phenotypic parameters for comparison. Genetically, the phenotypic differences were ascertained with the microsatellite markers used. Generally, small numbers of alleles (NA& Ne) were detected for the three microsatellites. However, among all quail’s populations, WW and WB had the greatest numbers but with lower heterozygosity levels (HO &He) compared to the BB and BW. This was confirmed with the positive high values of FIS. In conclusion: The phenotypic variations among BB, WW, BW and WB varieties were genetically ascertained with the genetic diversity analysis. Crossing is effective in improving quail’s performance. This investigation might provide a scientific basis for assessing and using the genetic resources of BB, WW, BW and WB in further genetic improvement program.