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Criscione A, Chessari G, Cesarani A, Ablondi M, Asti V, Bigi D, Bordonaro S, Ciampolini R, Cipolat-Gotet C, Congiu M, De Palo P, Landi V, Macciotta NPP, Matassino D, Portolano B, Riggio S, Sabbioni A, Sardina MT, Senczuk G, Tumino S, Vasini M, Ciani E, Mastrangelo S. Analysis of ddRAD-seq data provides new insights into the genomic structure and patterns of diversity in Italian donkey populations. J Anim Sci 2024; 102:skae165. [PMID: 38874306 PMCID: PMC11214105 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skae165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
With more than 150 recognized breeds, donkeys assume relevant economic importance, especially in developing countries. Even if the estimated number of heads worldwide is 53M, this species received less attention than other livestock species. Italy has traditionally been considered one of the cradles of European donkey breeding, and despite a considerable loss of biodiversity, today still counts nine autochthonous populations. A total of 220 animals belonging to nine different populations were genotyped using the double-digest restriction site associated DNA (ddRAD) sequencing to investigate the pattern of diversity using a multi-technique approach. A total of 418,602,730 reads were generated and successfully demultiplexed to obtain a medium-density SNP genotypes panel with about 27K markers. The diversity indices showed moderate levels of variability. The genetic distances and relationships, largely agree with the breeding history of the donkey populations under investigation. The results highlighted the separation of populations based on their genetic origin or geographical proximity between breeding areas, showed low to moderate levels of admixture, and indicated a clear genetic difference in some cases. For some breeds, the results also validate the success of proper management conservation plans. Identified runs of homozygosity islands, mapped within genomic regions related to immune response and local adaptation, are consistent with the characteristics of the species known for its rusticity and adaptability. This study is the first exhaustive genome-wide analysis of the diversity of Italian donkey populations. The results emphasized the high informativeness of genome-wide markers retrieved through the ddRAD approach. The findings take on great significance in designing and implementing conservation strategies. Standardized genotype arrays for donkey species would make it possible to combine worldwide datasets to provide further insights into the evolution of the genomic structure and origin of this important genetic resource.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Criscione
- Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giorgio Chessari
- Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Department of Animal Sciences, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Alberto Cesarani
- Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, USA
| | - Michela Ablondi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Vittoria Asti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Daniele Bigi
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agro-Alimentari, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Salvatore Bordonaro
- Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | | | - Michele Congiu
- Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Pasquale De Palo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Landi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Valenzano, Italy
| | | | - Donato Matassino
- Consorzio per la Sperimentazione, Divulgazione e Applicazione di Biotecniche Innovative, Benevento, Italy
| | - Baldassare Portolano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Silvia Riggio
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alberto Sabbioni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico-Veterinarie, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Sardina
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Gabriele Senczuk
- Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Ambiente e Alimenti, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Serena Tumino
- Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Matteo Vasini
- Associazione Nazionale Allevatori delle Razze Equine ed Asinine Italiane, ANAREAI, Roma, Italy
| | - Elena Ciani
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Biotecnologie e Biofarmaceutica, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Salvatore Mastrangelo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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2
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Garrick RC. Genetic signatures of lineage fusion closely resemble population decline. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10725. [PMID: 37964788 PMCID: PMC10641302 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Accurate interpretation of the genetic signatures of past demographic events is crucial for reconstructing evolutionary history. Lineage fusion (complete merging, resulting in a single panmictic population) is a special case of secondary contact that is seldom considered. Here, the circumstances under which lineage fusion can be distinguished from population size constancy, growth, bottleneck, and decline were investigated. Multi-locus haplotype data were simulated under models of lineage fusion with different divergence versus sampling lag times (D:L ratios). These pseudo-observed datasets also differed in their allocation of a fixed amount of sequencing resources (number of sampled alleles, haplotype length, number of loci). Distinguishability of lineage fusion versus each of 10 untrue non-fusion scenarios was quantified based on six summary statistics (neutrality tests). Some datasets were also analyzed using extended Bayesian skyline plots. Results showed that signatures of lineage fusion very closely resemble those of decline-high distinguishability was generally limited to the most favorable scenario (D:L = 9), using the most sensitive summary statistics (F S and Z nS), coupled with the optimal sequencing resource allocation (maximizing number of loci). Also, extended Bayesian skyline plots often erroneously inferred population decline. Awareness of the potential for lineage fusion to carry the hallmarks of population decline is critical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C. Garrick
- Department of BiologyUniversity of MississippiOxfordMississippiUSA
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Piro M. Aspects of Molecular Genetics in Dromedary Camel. Front Genet 2021; 12:723181. [PMID: 34764978 PMCID: PMC8577052 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.723181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Dromedary camels are unique in their morphological and physiological characteristics and are capable of providing milk and meat even under extreme environmental conditions. Like other species, the dromedary camel has also benefitted from the development of the molecular genetics to increase the knowledge about different aspect in camel genetics (genetic variation, molecular marker, parentage control, gene of interest, whole genome, dating…etc.). In this paper we review the different molecular genetic technics used in this particular species and future prospects. Dromedary genetic studies started in the end of the 1980s with phenotypic evaluation and the attempts to highlight the protein and biochemical diversity. In the 2000s, with the development of molecular markers such as microsatellites, genetic diversity of different types in several countries were estimated and microsatellites were also used for parentage control. In terms of genetic characterization, microsatellites revealed a defined global structure, differentiating East African and South Arabian dromedaries from North African, North Arabian, and South Asian individuals, respectively. Also, mitochondrialDNA sequence analysis of ancient DNA proved to be crucial in resolving domestication processes in dromedaries. Ancient and modern DNA revealed dynamics of domestication and cross-continental dispersion of the dromedary. Nuclear SNPs, single nucleotide polymorphisms changes that occur approximately each 1000 bps in the mammalian genome were also applied in some studies in dromedary. These markers are a very useful alternative to microsatellites and have been employed in some studies on genetic diversity and relevant phenotypic traits in livestock. Finally, thanks to the use of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) the whole-genome assemblies of the dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) and a work to establish the organization of the dromedary genome at chromosome level were recently published.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Piro
- Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (LAGEV), Hassan II Agronomic and Veterinary Institute, Rabat, Morocco
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Wold J, Koepfli KP, Galla SJ, Eccles D, Hogg CJ, Le Lec MF, Guhlin J, Santure AW, Steeves TE. Expanding the conservation genomics toolbox: Incorporating structural variants to enhance genomic studies for species of conservation concern. Mol Ecol 2021; 30:5949-5965. [PMID: 34424587 PMCID: PMC9290615 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Structural variants (SVs) are large rearrangements (>50 bp) within the genome that impact gene function and the content and structure of chromosomes. As a result, SVs are a significant source of functional genomic variation, that is, variation at genomic regions underpinning phenotype differences, that can have large effects on individual and population fitness. While there are increasing opportunities to investigate functional genomic variation in threatened species via single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data sets, SVs remain understudied despite their potential influence on fitness traits of conservation interest. In this future-focused Opinion, we contend that characterizing SVs offers the conservation genomics community an exciting opportunity to complement SNP-based approaches to enhance species recovery. We also leverage the existing literature-predominantly in human health, agriculture and ecoevolutionary biology-to identify approaches for readily characterizing SVs and consider how integrating these into the conservation genomics toolbox may transform the way we manage some of the world's most threatened species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Wold
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Klaus-Peter Koepfli
- Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation, Front Royal, Virginia, USA.,Centre for Species Survival, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.,Computer Technologies Laboratory, ITMO University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Stephanie J Galla
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.,Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, USA
| | - David Eccles
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Carolyn J Hogg
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Marissa F Le Lec
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
| | - Joseph Guhlin
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand.,Genomics Aotearoa, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
| | - Anna W Santure
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Tammy E Steeves
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
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Benaissa MH, Mimoune N, Youngs CR, Kaidi R, Faye B. First report of Chlamydophila abortus infection in the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) population in eastern Algeria. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2020; 73:101557. [PMID: 33065404 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2020.101557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydiosis is caused by an obligate intracellular gram-negative bacterium of the genus Chlamydophila which is a zoonotic pathogen. The objectives of the study were to identify the seroprevalence of antibodies against Chlamydophila abortus in dromedary camel herds from four districts in eastern Algeria, as well as to estimate the association between seroprevalence and certain factors present at the animal and herd levels. Blood samples were collected from a random sample of animals within each of 82 camel herds. Serum samples were subjected to a C. abortus ELISA test, and association between the presence of antibodies and potential risk factors was estimated. Animal and herd seroprevalence were 2.5 % and 15.8 %, respectively, indicating substantial exposure of camels to C. abortus in the four districts studied. Age, breed, and sex did not influence seroprevalence in tested animals. Based on the univariate analysis, contact with sheep and goats, contact with other camel herds, and histories of abortion were major risk factors for infection. By using multivariate analysis, contact of camels with sheep and goats and with others camel herds, through shared grazing or watering points, were important factors for transmission of chlamydiosis with an odds ratio of 3.3 and 9.4, respectively. At the herd level the introduction of purchased animals was the major risk factor. This baseline information will be highly useful for launching C. abortus control programs in the region and potentially elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Hocine Benaissa
- Scientific and Technical Research Centre for Arid Areas (CRSTRA), Biophysical Station, PB 30240, Nezla, Touggourt, Algeria.
| | - Nora Mimoune
- National High School of Veterinary Medicine, Bab-Ezzouar, Algiers, Algeria; Institute of Veterinary Sciences, LBRA, University of Blida 1, PB 270, Soumaa, Blida, Algeria
| | - Curtis R Youngs
- Animal Science Department, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011 USA
| | - Rachid Kaidi
- Institute of Veterinary Sciences, LBRA, University of Blida 1, PB 270, Soumaa, Blida, Algeria
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Lado S, Elbers JP, Rogers MF, Melo-Ferreira J, Yadamsuren A, Corander J, Horin P, Burger PA. Nucleotide diversity of functionally different groups of immune response genes in Old World camels based on newly annotated and reference-guided assemblies. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:606. [PMID: 32883205 PMCID: PMC7468183 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-06990-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Immune-response (IR) genes have an important role in the defense against highly variable pathogens, and therefore, diversity in these genomic regions is essential for species’ survival and adaptation. Although current genome assemblies from Old World camelids are very useful for investigating genome-wide diversity, demography and population structure, they have inconsistencies and gaps that limit analyses at local genomic scales. Improved and more accurate genome assemblies and annotations are needed to study complex genomic regions like adaptive and innate IR genes. Results In this work, we improved the genome assemblies of the three Old World camel species – domestic dromedary and Bactrian camel, and the two-humped wild camel – via different computational methods. The newly annotated dromedary genome assembly CamDro3 served as reference to scaffold the NCBI RefSeq genomes of domestic Bactrian and wild camels. These upgraded assemblies were then used to assess nucleotide diversity of IR genes within and between species, and to compare the diversity found in immune genes and the rest of the genes in the genome. We detected differences in the nucleotide diversity among the three Old World camelid species and between IR gene groups, i.e., innate versus adaptive. Among the three species, domestic Bactrian camels showed the highest mean nucleotide diversity. Among the functionally different IR gene groups, the highest mean nucleotide diversity was observed in the major histocompatibility complex. Conclusions The new camel genome assemblies were greatly improved in terms of contiguity and increased size with fewer scaffolds, which is of general value for the scientific community. This allowed us to perform in-depth studies on genetic diversity in immunity-related regions of the genome. Our results suggest that differences of diversity across classes of genes appear compatible with a combined role of population history and differential exposures to pathogens, and consequent different selective pressures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Lado
- Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Vetmeduni Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jean P Elbers
- Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Vetmeduni Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Mark F Rogers
- Intelligent Systems Laboratory, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - José Melo-Ferreira
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal.,Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Adiya Yadamsuren
- Wild Camel Protection Foundation Mongolia, Jukov avenue, Bayanzurh District, Ulaanbaatar, 13343, Mongolia
| | - Jukka Corander
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK.,Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Helsinki Institute for Information Technology, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014, Helsinki, Finland.,Department of Biostatistics, University of Oslo, N-0317, Oslo, Norway
| | - Petr Horin
- Department of Animal Genetics, Veterinary and Pharmaceutical University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Ceitec VFU, RG Animal Immunogenomics, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Pamela A Burger
- Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Vetmeduni Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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