Pakistan has distinct domestic pigeon breeds which have been bred for centuries. This study aimed to identify novel Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in Cytochrome b (Cytb) gene of a unique Pakistani domestic pigeon named as Sherazi for its molecular classification. The full-length Cytb gene of the Pakistani domestic pigeon (n=25) was sequenced. Five novel SNPs sites were identified in the Cytb gene of the Pakistani domestic pigeon after comparing with those of Rock Pigeon (Columbia livia). The phylogenetic analysis, using the Cytb gene sequences of Pakistani domestic pigeon and all the available Columbiformes, revealed that C. livia is the ancestor of the Pakistani domestic pigeon albeit the Pakistani domestic pigeon differs phenotypically from it. The novel SNPs in Cytb gene of the Sherazi pigeon can serve as a genetic marker for identification, phylogentic analysis and evolutionary characterization of pigeon species. This is the first report of SNP identification of Cytb gene of the Pakistani domestic pigeon and its molecular classification.

Key words: Cytochrome b, Domestic Pigeon, Mitochondrial DNA, Pakistan, Phylogenetic, Sherazi