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Gu LH, Wu RR, Zheng XL, Fu A, Xing ZY, Chen YY, He ZC, Lu LZ, Qi YT, Chen AH, Zhang YP, Xu TS, Peng MS, Ma C. Genomic insights into local adaptation and phenotypic diversity of Wenchang chickens. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103376. [PMID: 38228059 PMCID: PMC10823079 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.103376] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Wenchang chicken, a prized local breed in Hainan Province of China renowned for its exceptional adaptability to tropical environments and good meat quality, is deeply favored by the public. However, an insufficient understanding of its population architecture and the unclear genetic basis that governs its typical attributes have posed challenges in the protection and breeding of this precious breed. To address these gaps, we conducted whole-genome resequencing on 200 Wenchang chicken samples derived from 10 distinct strains, and we gathered data on an array of 21 phenotype traits. Population genomics analysis unveiled distinctive population structures in Wenchang chickens, primarily attributed to strong artificial selection for different feather colors. Selection sweep analysis identified a group of candidate genes, including PCDH9, DPF3, CDIN1, and SUGCT, closely linked to adaptations that enhance resilience in tropical island habitats. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) highlighted potential candidate genes associated with diverse feather color traits, encompassing TYR, RAB38, TRPM1, GABARAPL2, CDH1, ZMIZ1, LYST, MC1R, and SASH1. Through the comprehensive analysis of high-quality genomic and phenotypic data across diverse Wenchang chicken resource groups, this study unveils the intricate genetic backgrounds and population structures of Wenchang chickens. Additionally, it identifies multiple candidate genes linked to environmental adaptation, feather color variations, and production traits. These insights not only provide genetic reference for the purification and breeding of Wenchang chickens but also broaden our understanding of the genetic basis of phenotypic diversity in chickens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Hong Gu
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Hainan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 571199, China
| | - Ran-Ran Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Domestic Animals, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xin-Li Zheng
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Hainan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 571199, China
| | - An Fu
- Wenchang City Wenchang Chicken Research Institute, Wenchang 571300, China
| | - Zeng-Yang Xing
- Wenchang Long-quan Wenchang Chicken Industrial Co., Ltd., Wenchang 571346, China
| | - Yi-Yong Chen
- Hainan Chuang Wen Wenchang Chicken Industry Co., Ltd., Wenchang 571321, China
| | - Zhong-Chun He
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Hainan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 571199, China
| | - Li-Zhi Lu
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Yan-Tao Qi
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Hainan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 571199, China
| | - An-Hong Chen
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Hainan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 571199, China
| | - Ya-Ping Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution & Yunnan Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Domestic Animals, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China; State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Tie-Shan Xu
- Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou 571101, China
| | - Min-Sheng Peng
- Wenchang City Wenchang Chicken Research Institute, Wenchang 571300, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Cheng Ma
- Wenchang City Wenchang Chicken Research Institute, Wenchang 571300, China.
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