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Ben Sassi-Zaidy Y, Mohamed-Brahmi A, Chaouch M, Maretto F, Cendron F, Charfi-Cheikhrouha F, Ben Abderrazak S, Djemali M, Cassandro M. Historical Westward Migration Phases of Ovis aries Inferred from the Population Structure and the Phylogeography of Occidental Mediterranean Native Sheep Breeds. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13081421. [PMID: 36011332 PMCID: PMC9408117 DOI: 10.3390/genes13081421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, the genetic relationship and the population structure of western Mediterranean basin native sheep breeds are investigated, analyzing Maghrebian, Central Italian, and Venetian sheep with a highly informative microsatellite markers panel. The phylogeographical analysis, between breeds’ differentiation level (Wright’s fixation index), gene flow, ancestral relatedness measured by molecular coancestry, genetic distances, divergence times estimates and structure analyses, were revealed based on the assessment of 975 genotyped animals. The results unveiled the past introduction and migration history of sheep in the occidental Mediterranean basin since the early Neolithic. Our findings provided a scenario of three westward sheep migration phases fitting properly to the westward Neolithic expansion argued by zooarcheological, historical and human genetic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousra Ben Sassi-Zaidy
- Laboratory of Diversity, Management and Conservation of Biological Systems, LR18ES06, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 2092, Tunisia
- Department of Agronomy, Animal, Food, Natural Resources and Environment, University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro Padova, Italy
- Laboratory of Animal Genetic and Feed Resources Research, Department of Animal Science, Institut National Agronomique de Tunis (INAT), University of Carthage, Tunis-Mahragène Tunis 2078, Tunisia
- Correspondence: (Y.B.S.-Z.); (F.C.); Tel.: +39-049-8272871 (F.C.); Fax: +39-049-8272633 (F.C.)
| | - Aziza Mohamed-Brahmi
- Laboratory of Agricultural Production Systems Sustainability in the North Western Region of Tunisia, Department of Animal Production, Ecole Supérieure d’Agriculture du Kef Boulifa, University of Jendouba, Le Kef 7119, Tunisia
| | - Melek Chaouch
- Laboratory of Medical Parasitology, Biotechnology and Biomolecules (LR11IPT06), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Biomathematics and Biostatistics (LR16IPT09), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Fabio Maretto
- Department of Agronomy, Animal, Food, Natural Resources and Environment, University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro Padova, Italy
| | - Filippo Cendron
- Department of Agronomy, Animal, Food, Natural Resources and Environment, University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro Padova, Italy
- Correspondence: (Y.B.S.-Z.); (F.C.); Tel.: +39-049-8272871 (F.C.); Fax: +39-049-8272633 (F.C.)
| | - Faouzia Charfi-Cheikhrouha
- Laboratory of Diversity, Management and Conservation of Biological Systems, LR18ES06, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 2092, Tunisia
| | - Souha Ben Abderrazak
- Laboratory of Medical Parasitology, Biotechnology and Biomolecules (LR11IPT06), Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
| | - Mnaour Djemali
- Laboratory of Animal Genetic and Feed Resources Research, Department of Animal Science, Institut National Agronomique de Tunis (INAT), University of Carthage, Tunis-Mahragène Tunis 2078, Tunisia
| | - Martino Cassandro
- Department of Agronomy, Animal, Food, Natural Resources and Environment, University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro Padova, Italy
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Thorne JW, Murdoch BM, Freking BA, Redden RR, Murphy TW, Taylor JB, Blackburn HD. Evolution of the sheep industry and genetic research in the United States: opportunities for convergence in the twenty-first century. Anim Genet 2021; 52:395-408. [PMID: 33955573 PMCID: PMC8360125 DOI: 10.1111/age.13067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The continuous development and application of technology for genetic improvement is a key element for advancing sheep production in the United States. The US sheep industry has contracted over time but appears to be at a juncture where a greater utilization of technology can facilitate industry expansion to new markets and address inefficiencies in traditional production practices. Significant transformations include the increased value of lamb in relation to wool, and a downtrend in large-scale operations but a simultaneous rise in small flocks. Additionally, popularity of hair breeds not requiring shearing has surged, particularly in semi-arid and subtropical US environments. A variety of domestically developed composite breeds and newly established technological approaches are now widely available for the sheep industry to use as it navigates these ongoing transformations. These genetic resources can also address long-targeted areas of improvement such as growth, reproduction and parasite resistance. Moderate progress in production efficiency has been achieved by producers who have employed estimated breeding values, but widespread adoption of this technology has been limited. Genomic marker panels have recently shown promise for reducing disease susceptibility, identifying parentage and providing a foundation for marker-assisted selection. As the ovine genome is further explored and genomic assemblies are improved, the sheep research community in the USA can capitalize on new-found information to develop and apply genetic technologies to improve the production efficiency and profitability of the sheep industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. W. Thorne
- Texas A&M AgriLife ExtensionTexas A&M UniversitySan AngeloTX76901USA
- Department of Animal, Veterinary and Food ScienceUniversity of IdahoMoscowID83844USA
| | - B. M. Murdoch
- Department of Animal, Veterinary and Food ScienceUniversity of IdahoMoscowID83844USA
| | - B. A. Freking
- United States Meat Animal Research CenterUnited States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research ServiceClay CenterNE68933‐0166USA
| | - R. R. Redden
- Texas A&M AgriLife ExtensionTexas A&M UniversitySan AngeloTX76901USA
| | - T. W. Murphy
- United States Meat Animal Research CenterUnited States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research ServiceClay CenterNE68933‐0166USA
| | - J. B. Taylor
- United States Sheep Experiment StationUnited States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research ServiceDuboisID83423USA
| | - H. D. Blackburn
- National Animal Germplasm ProgramUnited States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research ServiceFort CollinsCO80521USA
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Conservation and Utilization of Livestock Genetic Diversity in the United States of America through Gene Banking. DIVERSITY 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/d11120244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A germplasm collection curated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Animal Germplasm Program contains of over one million samples from over 55,000 animals, representing 165 livestock and poultry breeds. The collection was developed to provide genetic conservation and security for the U.S. livestock sector. Samples in the collection span 60 years, suggesting a wide range of genetic diversity and genetic change is represented for rare and major breeds. Classifying breeds into four groups based upon registration or census estimates of population size of < 1000, < 5000, < 20,000, and > 20,000 indicated that 50% of the collection is comprised of rare breeds in the < 1000 category. As anticipated, collections for breeds in the < 20,000 and > 20,000 are more complete (86% and 98%, respectively) based upon an index combining the number of germplasm samples and the number of animals. For the rarest breeds (< 1000), collection completeness was 45%. Samples from over 6000 animals in the collection have been used for adding diversity to breeds, genomic evaluation, reconstituting populations, or various research projects. Several aspects of collecting germplasm samples from rare breeds are discussed. In addition, approaches that could be used to enhance the status of rare breeds via the repository use are presented. However, given the array of obstacles confronting rare breeds, the gene bank may be the most secure prospect for the long-term conservation of rare breed genetics.
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Assessing Sus scrofa diversity among continental United States, and Pacific islands populations using molecular markers from a gene banks collection. Sci Rep 2019; 9:3173. [PMID: 30816173 PMCID: PMC6395668 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39309-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human migration and trade facilitated domesticated livestock movement, gene flow and development of diverse populations upon which agriculture is based. In addition, varying USA ecological conditions has led to a diverse set of livestock populations to utilize. Quantifying genetic diversity of these populations is incomplete. This paper quantifies genetic diversity captured by the National Animal Germplasm Program and explores genetic structure and differences among 19 pig populations (feral populations from Pacific islands, continental US, and Chinese breeds) using 70,231 SNP from 500 animal samples. Among continental US breeds Fis was consistently low suggesting genetic variability is sufficiently available for breeders to use. A unique population structure using principal component analysis illustrated clear distinctions between Duroc, Yorkshire, Hampshire, breeds of Chinese origin, and feral Pacific Island populations were identified. Five Y chromosome haplotypes were evaluated and demonstrated migration patterns from European, central Asia, and potentially Polynesian waves of gene flow. Quantifying diversity and potential origin of Pacific populations provides insight for future uses, and the need for preservation. Viewing gene bank holdings in context of diversity measures we found a lack of inbreeding within breeds, suggesting the collection represents a wide sampling of individual breeds.
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New world goat populations are a genetically diverse reservoir for future use. Sci Rep 2019; 9:1476. [PMID: 30728441 PMCID: PMC6365549 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-38812-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Western hemisphere goats have European, African and Central Asian origins, and some local or rare breeds are reported to be adapted to their environments and economically important. By-in-large these genetic resources have not been quantified. Using 50 K SNP genotypes of 244 animals from 12 goat populations in United States, Costa Rica, Brazil and Argentina, we evaluated the genetic diversity, population structure and selective sweeps documenting goat migration to the "New World". Our findings suggest the concept of breed, particularly among "locally adapted" breeds, is not a meaningful way to characterize goat populations. The USA Spanish goats were found to be an important genetic reservoir, sharing genomic composition with the wild ancestor and with specialized breeds (e.g. Angora, Lamancha and Saanen). Results suggest goats in the Americas have substantial genetic diversity to use in selection and promote environmental adaptation or product driven specialization. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining goat conservation programs and suggest an awaiting reservoir of genetic diversity for breeding and research while simultaneously discarding concerns about breed designations.
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Optimization of medium for in vitro culture of sheep ovarian tissue. Small Rumin Res 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2018.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Short tandem repeat (STR) based genetic diversity and relationship of domestic sheep breeds with primitive wild Punjab Urial sheep ( Ovis vignei punjabiensis ). Small Rumin Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2016.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Vahidi SMF, Faruque MO, Falahati Anbaran M, Afraz F, Mousavi SM, Boettcher P, Joost S, Han JL, Colli L, Periasamy K, Negrini R, Ajmone-Marsan P. Multilocus genotypic data reveal high genetic diversity and low population genetic structure of Iranian indigenous sheep. Anim Genet 2016; 47:463-70. [DOI: 10.1111/age.12429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- S. M. F. Vahidi
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran (ABRII)-North Branch; Rasht 41635-4115 Iran
| | - M. O. Faruque
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics; Bangladesh Agricultural University; Mymensingh 2202 Bangladesh
| | - M. Falahati Anbaran
- School of Biology and Center of Excellence in Phylogeny of Living Organisms; University of Tehran; Tehran 14155-6455 Iran
| | - F. Afraz
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran (ABRII)-North Branch; Rasht 41635-4115 Iran
| | - S. M. Mousavi
- Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran (ABRII)-North Branch; Rasht 41635-4115 Iran
| | - P. Boettcher
- Animal Production and Health Division; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; Rome 00153 Italy
| | - S. Joost
- Laboratory of Geographic Information Systems; School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC); Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL); Lausanne 1015 Switzerland
| | - J. L. Han
- CAAS-ILRI Joint Laboratory on Livestock and Forage Genetic Resources; Institute of Animal Science; Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS); Beijing 100193 China
| | - L. Colli
- Istituto di Zootecnica and Biodiversity and Ancient DNA - BioDNA - Research Centre; Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore; Piacenza 29122 Italy
| | - K. Periasamy
- Animal Production and Health Laboratory; Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture; International Atomic Energy Agency; Vienna International Centre; PO Box 100, A-1400 Vienna Austria
| | - R. Negrini
- Italian Breeder Association -AIA; Rome 00161 Italy
| | - P. Ajmone-Marsan
- Istituto di Zootecnica and Biodiversity and Ancient DNA - BioDNA - Research Centre; Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore; Piacenza 29122 Italy
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E GX, Zhong T, Ma YH, Gao HJ, He JN, Liu N, Zhao YJ, Zhang JH, Huang YF. Conservation genetics in Chinese sheep: diversity of fourteen indigenous sheep (Ovis aries) using microsatellite markers. Ecol Evol 2016; 6:810-7. [PMID: 26865968 PMCID: PMC4739567 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Revised: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The domestic sheep (Ovis aries) has been an economically and culturally important farm animal species since its domestication around the world. A wide array of sheep breeds with abundant phenotypic diversity exists including domestication and selection as well as the indigenous breeds may harbor specific features as a result of adaptation to their environment. The objective of this study was to investigate the population structure of indigenous sheep in a large geographic location of the Chinese mainland. Six microsatellites were genotyped for 611 individuals from 14 populations. The mean number of alleles (±SD) ranged from 7.00 ± 3.69 in Gangba sheep to 10.50 ± 4.23 in Tibetan sheep. The observed heterozygote frequency (±SD) within a population ranged from 0.58 ± 0.03 in Gangba sheep to 0.71 ± 0.03 in Zazakh sheep and Minxian black fur sheep. In addition, there was a low pairwise difference among the Minxian black fur sheep, Mongolian sheep, Gansu alpine merino, and Lanzhou fat-tailed sheep. Bayesian analysis with the program STRUCTURE showed support for 3 clusters, revealing a vague genetic clustering pattern with geographic location. The results of the current study inferred high genetic diversity within these native sheep in the Chinese mainland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guang-Xin E
- College of Animal Science and Technology Chongqing Key Laboratory of Forage & Herbivore Chongqing Engineering Research Centre for Herbivores Resource Protection and Utilization Southwest University Chongqing 400716 China
| | - Tao Zhong
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan province Sichuan Agricultural University Chengdu Sichuan 625014 China
| | - Yue-Hui Ma
- Institute of Animal Science Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) Beijing 100193 China
| | - Hui-Jiang Gao
- Institute of Animal Science Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) Beijing 100193 China
| | - Jian-Ning He
- College of Animal Science and Technology Qingdao Agricultural University Qingdao 266109 China
| | - Nan Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology Qingdao Agricultural University Qingdao 266109 China
| | - Yong-Ju Zhao
- College of Animal Science and Technology Chongqing Key Laboratory of Forage & Herbivore Chongqing Engineering Research Centre for Herbivores Resource Protection and Utilization Southwest University Chongqing 400716 China
| | - Jia-Hua Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology Chongqing Key Laboratory of Forage & Herbivore Chongqing Engineering Research Centre for Herbivores Resource Protection and Utilization Southwest University Chongqing 400716 China
| | - Yong-Fu Huang
- College of Animal Science and Technology Chongqing Key Laboratory of Forage & Herbivore Chongqing Engineering Research Centre for Herbivores Resource Protection and Utilization Southwest University Chongqing 400716 China
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Genetic relationship and admixture in four Tunisian sheep breeds revealed by microsatellite markers. Small Rumin Res 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2015.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Pons AL, Landi V, Martinez A, Delgado JV. The biodiversity and genetic structure of Balearic sheep breeds. J Anim Breed Genet 2015; 132:268-76. [PMID: 25823943 DOI: 10.1111/jbg.12129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The Balearic sheep breeds, Mallorquina, Menorquina, Roja Mallorquina, Ibicenca and one possible new genetic group, Formentera, constitute a unique genetic resource in the Mediterranean farming landscape, displaying high genetic diversity levels and being well differentiated among themselves and with respect to the continental sheep breeds. We used a microsatellite panel of markers to study genetic diversity and relationships with other Spanish breeds. The results reported in this study have important implications for the use, conservation and breeding of Balearic sheep stocks. A mean number of 7.59 alleles was found among the Balearic sheep breeds for the microsatellites scored. The whole mean value of observed heterozygosity amounted to 0.62, whereas the expected heterozygosity value was 0.69, suggesting the presence of a great degree of genetic variability, although a significant deficit of heterozygotes was detected for some markers. Genetic distance estimates showed that Balearic sheep are differentiated from the other Spanish breeds and in particular, from the Merino type. The Ibicenca breed showed the highest distance value from other breeds. The neighbour-net method of analysis clustered the Roja Mallorquina, Menorquina and Mallorquina breeds. The Structure results clearly demonstrated the genetic differentiation among the four Balearic sheep breeds, with the Ibicenca and Formentera races joined, with slight migration among them. Few external genetic influences from the Spanish mainland breeds were detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Pons
- Servei de Millora Agrària Societat Anònima Unipersonal, Son Ferriol, Mallorca, Spain
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Y. BSZ, F. M, E. Z, G. MH, F. CC, M. C. Genetic structure and variability within and among populations of the fat-tailed Barbarine sheep breed using microsatellites markers. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.5897/ajb2013.13363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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Warmuth VM, Campana MG, Eriksson A, Bower M, Barker G, Manica A. Ancient trade routes shaped the genetic structure of horses in eastern Eurasia. Mol Ecol 2013; 22:5340-51. [PMID: 24118338 DOI: 10.1111/mec.12491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2012] [Revised: 07/30/2013] [Accepted: 08/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Animal exchange networks have been shown to play an important role in determining gene flow among domestic animal populations. The Silk Road is one of the oldest continuous exchange networks in human history, yet its effectiveness in facilitating animal exchange across large geographical distances and topographically challenging landscapes has never been explicitly studied. Horses are known to have been traded along the Silk Roads; however, extensive movement of horses in connection with other human activities may have obscured the genetic signature of the Silk Roads. To investigate the role of the Silk Roads in shaping the genetic structure of horses in eastern Eurasia, we analysed microsatellite genotyping data from 455 village horses sampled from 17 locations. Using least-cost path methods, we compared the performance of models containing the Silk Roads as corridors for gene flow with models containing single landscape features. We also determined whether the recent isolation of former Soviet Union countries from the rest of Eurasia has affected the genetic structure of our samples. The overall level of genetic differentiation was low, consistent with historically high levels of gene flow across the study region. The spatial genetic structure was characterized by a significant, albeit weak, pattern of isolation by distance across the continent with no evidence for the presence of distinct genetic clusters. Incorporating landscape features considerably improved the fit of the data; however, when we controlled for geographical distance, only the correlation between genetic differentiation and the Silk Roads remained significant, supporting the effectiveness of this ancient trade network in facilitating gene flow across large geographical distances in a topographically complex landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera M Warmuth
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK
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Abstract
For 100s of years, livestock producers have employed various types of selection to alter livestock populations. Current selection strategies are little different, except our technologies for selection have become more powerful. Genetic resources at the breed level have been in and out of favour over time. These resources are the raw materials used to manipulate populations, and therefore, they are critical to the past and future success of the livestock sector. With increasing ability to rapidly change genetic composition of livestock populations, the conservation of these genetic resources becomes more critical. Globally, awareness of the need to steward genetic resources has increased. A growing number of countries have embarked on large scale conservation efforts by using in situ, ex situ (gene banking), or both approaches. Gene banking efforts have substantially increased and data suggest that gene banks are successfully capturing genetic diversity for research or industry use. It is also noteworthy that both industry and the research community are utilizing gene bank holdings. As pressures grow to meet consumer demands and potential changes in production systems, the linkage between selection goals and genetic conservation will increase as a mechanism to facilitate continued livestock sector development.
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Affiliation(s)
- H D Blackburn
- National Animal Germplasm Programme, National Centre for Genetic Resources Preservation, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA.
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