This study principally sought to reveal the demographic expansion of Egyptian indigenous
chickens (EIC) using representative breeds: Sinai (North), Fayoumi (Middle) and Dandarawi
(South) of Egypt as well as to deeply clarify their genetic diversity, possible matrilineal origin
and dispersal routes. A total of 33 partial mitochondrial DNA sequences were generated from
EIC and compared with a worldwide reference dataset of 1290 wild and domestic chicken
sequences. Study populations had 12 polymorphic variable sites and 7 haplotypes. A lack of maternal substructure between EIC was detected (FST = 0.003). The unimodal mismatch distribution and negative values of Tajima’s D (
0.659) and Fu’s Fs (
0.157) indicated demographic
expansion among EIC and pointed to Fayoumi as the oldest EIC population. Egyptian
haplotypes were clustered phylogenetically into two divergent clades. Their phylogeography
revealed an ancient single maternal lineage of Egyptian chickens likely derived from IndianSubcontinent. Moreover, a recent maternal commercial heritage possibly originated in
Yunnan-Province and/or surrounding areas was admixed restrictedly into Sinai. It is implied
that Egypt was an entry point for Indian chicken into Africa and its further dispersal route
to Europe. This study provides a clue supporting the previous assumption that urged utilizing
consistent founder populations having closely related progenitors for synthetizing a stabilized
homogenous crossbreed as a sustainable discipline in breeding program.