PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
Analyzing the genetic diversity and selection characteristics of sheep (Ovis aries) holds significant value in understanding their environmental adaptability, enhancing breeding efficiency, and achieving effective conservation and rational utilization of genetic resources. In this study, we utilized Illumina Ovine SNP 50 K BeadChip data from four indigenous sheep breeds from the southern margin of the Taklamakan Desert (Duolang sheep: n = 36, Hetian sheep: n = 74, Kunlun sheep: n = 27, Qira black sheep: n = 178) and three foreign meat sheep breeds (Poll Dorset sheep: n = 105, Suffolk sheep: n = 153, Texel sheep: n = 150) to investigate the population structure, genetic diversity, and genomic signals of positive selection within the indigenous sheep. According to the Principal component analysis (PCA), the Neighbor-Joining tree (NJ tree), and Admixture, we revealed distinct clustering patterns of these seven sheep breeds based on their geographical distribution. Then used Cross Population Extended Haplotype Homozygosity (XP-EHH), Fixation Index (FST), and Integrated Haplotype Score (iHS), we identified a collective set of 32 overlapping genes under positive selection across four indigenous sheep breeds. These genes are associated with wool follicle development and wool traits, desert environmental adaptability, disease resistance, reproduction, and high-altitude adaptability. This study reveals the population structure and genomic selection characteristics in the extreme desert environments of native sheep breeds from the southern edge of the Taklimakan Desert, providing new insights into the conservation and sustainable use of indigenous sheep genetic resources in extreme environments. Additionally, these findings offer valuable genetic resources for sheep and other mammals to adapt to global climate change.
摘要：
分析绵羊（Ovisaries）的遗传多样性和选择特征对于了解其环境适应性具有重要价值。提高育种效率，实现遗传资源的有效保护和合理利用。在这项研究中,我们利用了来自塔克拉玛干沙漠南缘的四个本地绵羊品种的IlluminaOvineSNP50KBeadChip数据（多郎羊：n=36，和田羊：n=74，昆仑羊：n=27，齐拉黑羊：n=178）和三个外国肉羊品种（PollDorset羊：n=105，萨福克羊：n=153，Texel=150），遗传多样性,和本地绵羊体内正选择的基因组信号。根据主成分分析(PCA)，邻居连接树（NJ树），和混合物，根据地理分布，我们揭示了这七个绵羊品种的不同聚类模式。然后使用跨群体扩展单倍型纯合性(XP-EHH)，固定指数(FST),和综合单倍型评分(iHS)，我们在四个本地绵羊品种中确定了一组32个重叠基因的阳性选择。这些基因与羊毛毛囊发育和羊毛性状有关，沙漠环境适应性，抗病性,繁殖，和高海拔适应性。这项研究揭示了塔克拉玛干沙漠南部边缘本地绵羊品种在极端沙漠环境中的种群结构和基因组选择特征，为在极端环境中保护和可持续利用本地绵羊遗传资源提供新的见解。此外,这些发现为绵羊和其他哺乳动物适应全球气候变化提供了宝贵的遗传资源。
