ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Anim. Sci.
Sec. Animal Breeding and Genetics
Phenotypic and Molecular Mitochondrial DNA D-Loop Region Characterization of Sukuma Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) from the Lake Zone Regions of Tanzania
Provisionally accepted
- 1Sokoine University of Agriculture College of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
- 2Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
- 3United Republic of Tanzania Ministry of Livestock Development and Fisheries, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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This study characterized the phenotypic, productive, reproductive, and molecular attributes of the Sukuma (Horasi) chicken ecotype, a unique indigenous population found predominantly in the Lake Zone regions of Tanzania. A total of 469 mature sukuma chickens from entire chicken population were purposively sampled from Mwanza and Shinyanga regions for phenotypic characterization, while 20 blood samples were collected for molecular analysis and PCR products from 20 samples, which are representatives from five districts of the study area, were sent for sequencing. Data on historical development, productivity, adaptability, and reproductive performance were obtained through farmer interviews, visual assessments, and morphometric measurements following FAO (2012) guidelines. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 27, employing Chi-square, Kruskal–Wallis, and Mann–Whitney U tests. Results revealed considerably phenotypic diversity across districts and between sexes. Males consistently exhibited higher morphometric values than females, confirming sexual dimorphism. White shanks (59.1%), red earlobes (80%), single combs (55.4%), and plumage colors such as golden chestnut (23.5%) and red (20%) were predominant. Productive performance showed hens reached sexual maturity at 5 to 6 months producing an average of 42 eggs per year with an 83% hatchability rate and a 70% chick survival rate at weaning. The age at first mating for cock is 5 months. Molecular analysis of mtDNA D-loop sequences identified 16 distinct haplotypes, with most clustering within haplogroup E and showing close maternal affinity to Aseel (Asil) chickens from the Indian subcontinent. High haplotype diversity (Hd = 0.963 ± 0.033) indicated substantial maternal genetic variation. Neutrality tests (Tajima's D = 0.6793; Fu's Fs = 3.786), indicated no significant deviation from neutrality, suggesting that the evidence does not strongly support a departure from neutral evolution. However, this lack of statistical significance in Tajima's D and Fu's Fs does not provide robust support for the inference of recent demographic growth. Overall, the Sukuma chicken ecotype demonstrates valuable genetic diversity, dual-purpose productivity, and adaptability, underscoring it's importance for food security, rural livelihoods, and resilience. Immediate conservation and selective improvement strategies are recommended to safeguard this indigenous genetic resource.
Keywords: Genetic Variation, mtDNA D-loop, phenotypic diversity, Population Dynamics, Skuma/horashi chicken
Received: 26 Oct 2025; Accepted: 12 Feb 2026.
Copyright: © 2026 MHANDO, Lyimo, Nguluma and Mbaga. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: ZIDIHERY Maquis MHANDO
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