Evolution of domestic geese. Reconstruction of microphylogenesis by methods of population phenetics

Phenetics of 22 breeds of geese, strains and varieties reared in Russia and Ukraine and previously described from the historical and genetic standpoints were studied. A total of 58 non-metrical variations (phenes) from the main exterior complex were used for cluster analysis. Emden and some other European white goose breeds are close to each other and differ from greylag goose (Anser anser). The breeds derived from both the swan goose (A. cygnoides) and greylag goose formed the second, third and fourth clusters. The fifth cluster included the breeds and strains similar to their direct progenitor - greylag goose. The Vladimir Clay geese originated from the crossing between the Kholmogory White and Toulouse geese demonstrated considerable phenetic and phylogenetic isolation. Domestic geese of the first and fifth clusters (phenons) were united into the European breed group with two subgroups, Emden and Toulouse. The breeds of the second, third and fourth clusters (phenons) were ranked in the Euro-Chinese (Euro-Asiatic) group.