scholarly journals Genome-Wide SNP Analysis Reveals the Population Structure and the Conservation Status of 23 Italian Chicken Breeds

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1441
Author(s):  
Filippo Cendron ◽  
Francesco Perini ◽  
Salvatore Mastrangelo ◽  
Marco Tolone ◽  
Andrea Criscione ◽  
...  

The genomic variability of local Italian chicken breeds, which were monitored under a conservation plan, was studied using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to understand their genetic diversity and population structure. A total of 582 samples from 23 local breeds and four commercial stocks were genotyped using the Affymetrix 600 K Chicken SNP Array. In general, the levels of genetic diversity, investigated through different approaches, were lowest in the local chicken breeds compared to those in the commercial stocks. The level of genomic inbreeding, based on runs of homozygosity (FROH), was markedly different among the breeds and ranged from 0.121 (Valdarnese) to 0.607 (Siciliana). In all breeds, short runs of homozygosity (ROH) (<4 Mb in length) were more frequent than long segments. The patterns of genetic differentiation, model-based clustering, and neighbor networks showed that most breeds formed non-overlapping clusters and were clearly separate populations, which indicated the presence of gene flow, especially among breeds that originated from the same geographical area. Four genomic regions were identified as hotspots of autozygosity (islands) among the breeds, where the candidate genes are involved in morphological traits, such as body weight and feed conversion ratio. We conclude that the investigated breeds have conserved authentic genetic patterns, and these results can improve conservation strategies; moreover, the conservation of local breeds may play an important role in the local economy as a source of high-quality products for consumers.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenda G. Díaz ◽  
Maria I. Zucchi ◽  
Alessandro. Alves-Pereira ◽  
Caléo P. de Almeida ◽  
Aline C. L. Moraes ◽  
...  

AbstractAcrocomia (Arecaceae) is a genus widely distributed in tropical and subtropical America that has been achieving economic interest due to the great potential of oil production of some of its species. In particular A. aculeata, due to its vocation to supply oil with the same productive capacity as the oil palm even in areas with water deficit. Although eight species are recognized in the genus, the taxonomic classification based on morphology and geographic distribution is still controversial. Knowledge about the genetic diversity and population structure of the species is limited, which has limited the understanding of the genetic relationships and the orientation of management, conservation, and genetic improvement activities of species of the genus. In the present study, we analyzed the genomic diversity and population structure of seven species of Acrocomia including 117 samples of A. aculeata covering a wide geographical area of occurrence, using single nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers originated from Genotyping By Sequencing (GBS). The genetic structure of the Acrocomia species were partially congruent with the current taxonomic classification based on morphological characters, recovering the separation of the species A. aculeata, A. totai, A. crispa and A. intumescens as distinct taxonomic groups. However, the species A. media was attributed to the cluster of A. aculeata while A. hassleri and A. glauscescens were grouped together with A. totai. The species that showed the highest and lowest genetic diversity were A. totai and A. media, respectively. When analyzed separately, the species A. aculeata showed a strong genetic structure, forming two genetic groups, the first represented mainly by genotypes from Brazil and the second by accessions from Central and North American countries. Greater genetic diversity was found in Brazil when compared to the other countries. Our results on the genetic diversity of the genus are unprecedented, as is also establishes new insights on the genomic relationships between Acrocomia species. It is also the first study to provide a more global view of the genomic diversity of A. aculeata. We also highlight the applicability of genomic data as a reference for future studies on genetic diversity, taxonomy, evolution and phylogeny of the Acrocomia genus, as well as to support strategies for the conservation, exploration and breeding of Acrocomia species and in particular A. aculeata.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0241025
Author(s):  
Brenda Gabriela Díaz ◽  
Maria Imaculada Zucchi ◽  
Alessandro Alves‐Pereira ◽  
Caléo Panhoca de Almeida ◽  
Aline Costa Lima Moraes ◽  
...  

Acrocomia (Arecaceae) is a genus widely distributed in tropical and subtropical America that has been achieving economic interest due to the great potential of oil production of some of its species. In particular A. aculeata, due to its vocation to supply oil with the same productive capacity as the oil palm (Elaeis guineenses) even in areas with water deficit. Although eight species are recognized in the genus, the taxonomic classification based on morphology and geographic distribution is still controversial. Knowledge about the genetic diversity and population structure of the species is limited, which has limited the understanding of the genetic relationships and the orientation of management, conservation, and genetic improvement activities of species of the genus. In the present study, we analyzed the genomic diversity and population structure of Acrocomia genus, including 172 samples from seven species, with a focus on A. aculeata with 117 samples covering a wide geographical area of occurrence of the species, using Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers originated from Genotyping By Sequencing (GBS).The genetic structure of the Acrocomia species were partially congruent with the current taxonomic classification based on morphological characters, recovering the separation of the species A. aculeata, A. totai, A. crispa and A. intumescens as distinct taxonomic groups. However, the species A. media was attributed to the cluster of A. aculeata while A. hassleri and A. glauscescens were grouped together with A. totai. The species that showed the highest and lowest genetic diversity were A. totai and A. media, respectively. When analyzed separately, the species A. aculeata showed a strong genetic structure, forming two genetic groups, the first represented mainly by genotypes from Brazil and the second by accessions from Central and North American countries. Greater genetic diversity was found in Brazil when compared to the other countries. Our results on the genetic diversity of the genus are unprecedented, as is also establishes new insights on the genomic relationships between Acrocomia species. It is also the first study to provide a more global view of the genomic diversity of A. aculeata. We also highlight the applicability of genomic data as a reference for future studies on genetic diversity, taxonomy, evolution and phylogeny of the Acrocomia genus, as well as to support strategies for the conservation, exploration and breeding of Acrocomia species and in particular A. aculeata.


2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna W. Schoettle ◽  
Betsy A. Goodrich ◽  
Valerie Hipkins ◽  
Christopher Richards ◽  
Julie Kray

Pinus aristata Engelm., Rocky Mountain bristlecone pine, has a narrow core geographic and elevational distribution, occurs in disjunct populations, and is threatened by rapid climate change, white pine blister rust, and bark beetles. Knowledge of genetic diversity and population structure will help guide gene conservation strategies for this species. Sixteen sites across four mountain ranges in the core distribution of P. aristata were sampled and genetic diversity was assessed with 21 isozyme loci. Low species and population level genetic diversity (He = 0.070 and 0.062, respectively) occurred with moderate among-population differentiation (FST = 0.131). Genetic diversity correlated with longitude, latitude, and elevation and a strong mountain island effect may contribute to substructuring and isolation. Using multiple complementary analyses, sampled trees were assigned to three genetic lineages that varied in diversity and admixture and were associated with different climatic factors. The distribution of genetic diversity and substructuring of P. aristata may be an outcome of a combination of restricted gene flow due to geographic and phenological isolation, random processes of genetic drift, life history traits, natural selection, and postglacial migrations. The combination of low genetic diversity, moderate population isolation, and a protracted regeneration dynamic puts populations at risk for extirpation by novel stresses.


PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e10274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirella Pupo Santos ◽  
João V.S. Rabelo Araujo ◽  
Arthur V. Sant’anna Lopes ◽  
Julio Cesar Fiorio Vettorazzi ◽  
Marcela Santana Bastos Boechat ◽  
...  

Background Two endemic lycophyte species Isoetes cangae and Isoetes serracarajensis have been recently described in the State of Pará in the Amazon forest located in northern Brazil. Isoetes L. has survived through three mass extinctions. Plants are considered small-sized, heterosporous, and can display a great diversity of physiological adaptations to different environments. Thus, the current study aimed to estimate the genetic variation of the populations of I. cangae and I. serracarajensis to generate information about their different mechanisms for survival at the same geographical location that could point to different reproductive, adaptative and dispersal strategies and should be considered for effective conservation strategies. Methods The genetic diversity and population structure of I. cangae and I. serracarajensis were investigated using Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) molecular markers. Total genomic DNA was isolated, and the genetic diversity parameters were calculated. Results The sixteen primers produced 115 reproducible bands, 87% of which were polymorphic. A high level of polymorphic loci (81.74% and 68.48%) and a high Shannon index (Sh = 0.376 and 0.289) were observed for I. cangae and I. serracarajensis, respectively. The coefficient of genetic differentiation between population areas (GST) showed a higher value in I. serracarajensis (0.5440). Gene flow was higher in I. cangae (1.715) and lower in I. serracarajensis populations (0.419). Overall, the results further show that I. serracarajensis and I. cangae are two species with considerable genetic variation and that these differences may reflect their habitats and modes of reproduction. These results should be considered in the development of effective conservation strategies for both species.


Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuqi Diao ◽  
Shuwen Huang ◽  
Zhiting Xu ◽  
Shaopan Ye ◽  
Xiaolong Yuan ◽  
...  

To investigate the genetic diversity, population structure, extent of linkage disequilibrium (LD), effective population size (Ne), and selection signatures in indigenous pigs from Guangdong and Guangxi in China, 226 pigs belonging to ten diverse populations were genotyped using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chips. The genetic divergence between Chinese and Western pigs was determined based on the SNP chip data. Low genetic diversity of Dahuabai (DHB), Luchuan (LC), Lantang (LT), and Meihua (MH) pigs, and introgression of Western pigs into Longlin (LL), MH, and Yuedonghei (YDH) pigs were detected. Analysis of the extent of LD showed that indigenous pigs had low LD when pairwise SNP distance was short and high LD when pairwise SNP distance was long. Effective population size analysis showed a rapid decrease for Chinese indigenous pigs, and some pig populations had a relatively small Ne. This result indicated the loss of genetic diversity in indigenous pigs, and introgression from Western commercial pigs. Selection signatures detected in this study overlapped with meat quality traits, such as drip loss, intramuscular fat content, meat color b*, and average backfat thickness. Our study deepened understanding of the conservation status and domestication of Chinese indigenous pigs.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salvatore Bordonaro ◽  
Anna Maria Guastella ◽  
Andrea Criscione ◽  
Antonio Zuccaro ◽  
Donata Marletta

The genetic variability of Pantesco and other two Sicilian autochthonous donkey breeds (Ragusano and Grigio Siciliano) was assessed using a set of 14 microsatellites. The main goals were to describe the current differentiation among the breeds and to provide genetic information useful to safeguard the Pantesco breed as well as to manage Ragusano and Grigio Siciliano. In the whole sample, that included 108 donkeys representative of the three populations, a total of 85 alleles were detected. The mean number of alleles was lower in Pantesco (3.7), than in Grigio Siciliano and Ragusano (4.4 and 5.9, resp.). The three breeds showed a quite low level of gene diversity (He) ranging from 0.471 in Pantesco to 0.589 in Grigio. The overall genetic differentiation index (Fst) was quite high; more than 10% of the diversity was found among breeds. Reynolds’ () genetic distances, correspondence, and population structure analysis reproduced the same picture, revealing that, (a) Pantesco breed is the most differentiated in the context of the Sicilian indigenous breeds, (b) within Ragusano breed, two well-defined subgroups were observed. This information is worth of further investigation in order to provide suitable data for conservation strategies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-93
Author(s):  
H. S. Ginwal ◽  
Rajesh Sharma ◽  
Priti Chauhan ◽  
Kirti Chamling Rai ◽  
Santan Barthwal

AbstractHimalayan cedar (Cedrus deodara) is one of the most important temperate timber species of Western Himalayas and is considered to be among the endangered conifer species in the region. Knowledge of genetic diversity and population structure will help guide gene conservation strategies for this species. Ten polymorphic chloroplast microsatellites (cpSSR) were used to study genetic diversity and population structure in twenty one natural populations of C. deodara throughout its entire distribution range in Western Himalayas. When alleles at each of the 10 loci were jointly analysed, 254 different haplotypes were identified among 1050 individuals. The cpSSRs indicate that C. deodara forests maintain a moderately high level of genetic diversity (mean h = 0.79 ). AMOVA analysis showed that most of the diversity in C. deodara occurs within populations. Bayesian analysis for population structure (BAPS) revealed spatial structuration of the variation (22 % of the total variation) and substructuring captured nineteen genetic clusters in the entire divisions of the populations. Most of the populations were clustered independently with minor admixtures. The distribution of genetic diversity and sub-structuring of C. deodara may be due to restricted gene flow due to geographic isolation, genetic drift, and natural selection. These findings indicated existence of genetically distinct and different high diversity and low diversity clusters, which are potential groups of populations that require attention for their conservation and management. The results are interpreted in context of future conservation plans for C. deodara.


2008 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 331-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guohong Chen ◽  
Wenbin Bao ◽  
Jingting Shu ◽  
Congliang Ji ◽  
Minqiang Wang ◽  
...  

Forests ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanwen Deng ◽  
Tingting Liu ◽  
Yuqing Xie ◽  
Yaqing Wei ◽  
Zicai Xie ◽  
...  

Research Highlights: This study is the first to examine the genetic diversity of Michelia shiluensis (Magnoliaceae). High genetic diversity and low differentiation were detected in this species. Based on these results, we discuss feasible protection measures to provide a basis for the conservation and utilization of M. shiluensis. Background and Objectives: Michelia shiluensis is distributed in Hainan and Guangdong province, China. Due to human disturbance, the population has decreased sharply, and there is thus an urgent need to evaluate genetic variation within this species in order to identify an optimal conservation strategy. Materials and Methods: In this study, we used eight nuclear single sequence repeat (nSSR) markers and two chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) markers to assess the genetic diversity, population structure, and dynamics of 78 samples collected from six populations. Results: The results showed that the average observed heterozygosity (Ho), expected heterozygosity (He), and percentage of polymorphic loci (PPL) from nSSR markers in each population of M. shiluensis were 0.686, 0.718, and 97.92%, respectively. For cpDNA markers, the overall haplotype diversity (Hd) was 0.674, and the nucleotide diversity was 0.220. Analysis of markers showed that the genetic variation between populations was much lower based on nSSR than on cpDNA (10.18% and 77.56%, respectively, based on an analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA)). Analysis of the population structure based on the two markers shows that one of the populations (DL) is very different from the other five. Conclusions: High genetic diversity and low population differentiation of M. shiluensis might be the result of rich ancestral genetic variation. The current decline in population may therefore be due to human disturbance rather than to inbreeding or genetic drift. Management and conservation strategies should focus on maintaining the genetic diversity in situ, and on the cultivation of seedlings ex-situ for transplanting back to their original habitat.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiangbin Fan ◽  
Johannes A Jehle ◽  
Jörg T Wennmann

Abstract Genetic diversity of viruses is driven by genomic mutations and selection through its host, resulting in differences in virulence as well as host responses. For baculoviruses, which are naturally occurring pathogens of insects and which are frequently sprayed on hundred thousands to millions of hectares as biocontrol agents of insect pests, the phenomenon of virus–host co-evolution is of particular scientific interest and economic importance because high virulence of baculovirus products is essential and emergence of host resistance needs to be avoided as much as possible. In the present study, the population structure of twenty isolates of the Cydia pomonella granulovirus (CpGV), including twelve isolates from different geographic origins and eight commercial formulations, were studied on the basis of next-generation sequencing data and by analyzing the distribution of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). An entirely consensus sequence-free quantitative SNP analysis was applied for the identification of 753 variant SNP sites being specific for single as well as groups of CpGV isolates. Based on the quantitative SNP analysis, homogenous, heterogenous as well as mixed isolates were identified and their proportions of genotypes were deciphered, revealing a high genetic diversity of CpGV isolates from around the world. Based on hierarchical clustering on principal components (HCPC), six distinct isolate/group clusters were identified, representing the proposed main phylogenetic lineages of CpGV but comprising full genome information from virus mixtures. The relative location of different isolates in HCPC reflected the proportion of variable compositions of different genotypes. The established methods provide novel analysis tools to decipher the molecular complexity of genotype mixtures in baculovirus isolates, thus depicting the population structure of baculovirus isolates in a more adequate form than consensus based analyses.


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