Genome wide analyses reveal the population distinctiveness of the ‘Nera del Mela’ sheep
Italy has a long history of sheep breeding and counts several local populations that may represent a unique source of genetic diversity. Among these, Nera del Mela is a sheep genetic resource historically reared in Sicily but not officially recognised as a breed. In this study, we genotyped 36 indiv...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Italian Journal of Animal Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1828051X.2023.2216724 |
| _version_ | 1797198489655967744 |
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| author | Giorgio Chessari Andrea Criscione Marco Tolone Alessandro Zumbo Silvia Riggio Ilaria Rizzuto Angelo Moscarelli Vito Macaluso Baldassare Portolano Maria Teresa Sardina Salvatore Mastrangelo |
| author_facet | Giorgio Chessari Andrea Criscione Marco Tolone Alessandro Zumbo Silvia Riggio Ilaria Rizzuto Angelo Moscarelli Vito Macaluso Baldassare Portolano Maria Teresa Sardina Salvatore Mastrangelo |
| author_sort | Giorgio Chessari |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Italy has a long history of sheep breeding and counts several local populations that may represent a unique source of genetic diversity. Among these, Nera del Mela is a sheep genetic resource historically reared in Sicily but not officially recognised as a breed. In this study, we genotyped 36 individuals of Nera del Mela using the OvineSNP50K array, in order to estimate the genetic diversity and evaluate the population structure and relatedness with other Italian sheep breeds. Genetic diversity indices, and inbreeding estimated from runs of homozygosity (FROH) revealed a moderate level of variability. Runs of homozygosity islands mapped candidate genes involved in the adaptation to local environment and immune response. Population genetic analyses using different approaches highlighted the hypothesis that this sheep possesses a defined genetic structure, especially if compared with other recognised breeds, despite the influence of other populations such as the Sicilian breeds. Overall, our findings represent a starting point for the possible official acknowledgement of this population, for the creation of a conservation plan, and thus for preserving this genomic heritage.HIGHLIGHTS Nera de Mela sheep can be considered as a reservoir of genetic diversity. The results indicated a clear genetic differentiation from other populations and moderate level of genetic variability. Our findings represent a starting point for the creation of conservation plans. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T16:59:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-24d4ebc42b3b440d8228c6f16ce0b523 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1594-4077 1828-051X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T07:00:41Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Italian Journal of Animal Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-24d4ebc42b3b440d8228c6f16ce0b5232024-04-22T08:52:28ZengTaylor & Francis GroupItalian Journal of Animal Science1594-40771828-051X2023-12-0122154855910.1080/1828051X.2023.22167242216724Genome wide analyses reveal the population distinctiveness of the ‘Nera del Mela’ sheepGiorgio Chessari0Andrea Criscione1Marco Tolone2Alessandro Zumbo3Silvia Riggio4Ilaria Rizzuto5Angelo Moscarelli6Vito Macaluso7Baldassare Portolano8Maria Teresa Sardina9Salvatore Mastrangelo10Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente, University of CataniaDipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente, University of CataniaDipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali, University of PalermoDipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, University of MessinaDipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali, University of PalermoDipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali, University of PalermoDipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali, University of PalermoDipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali, University of PalermoDipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali, University of PalermoDipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali, University of PalermoDipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali, University of PalermoItaly has a long history of sheep breeding and counts several local populations that may represent a unique source of genetic diversity. Among these, Nera del Mela is a sheep genetic resource historically reared in Sicily but not officially recognised as a breed. In this study, we genotyped 36 individuals of Nera del Mela using the OvineSNP50K array, in order to estimate the genetic diversity and evaluate the population structure and relatedness with other Italian sheep breeds. Genetic diversity indices, and inbreeding estimated from runs of homozygosity (FROH) revealed a moderate level of variability. Runs of homozygosity islands mapped candidate genes involved in the adaptation to local environment and immune response. Population genetic analyses using different approaches highlighted the hypothesis that this sheep possesses a defined genetic structure, especially if compared with other recognised breeds, despite the influence of other populations such as the Sicilian breeds. Overall, our findings represent a starting point for the possible official acknowledgement of this population, for the creation of a conservation plan, and thus for preserving this genomic heritage.HIGHLIGHTS Nera de Mela sheep can be considered as a reservoir of genetic diversity. The results indicated a clear genetic differentiation from other populations and moderate level of genetic variability. Our findings represent a starting point for the creation of conservation plans.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1828051X.2023.2216724snpsanimal genetic resourcesheepgenetic diversityrun of homozygosity |
| spellingShingle | Giorgio Chessari Andrea Criscione Marco Tolone Alessandro Zumbo Silvia Riggio Ilaria Rizzuto Angelo Moscarelli Vito Macaluso Baldassare Portolano Maria Teresa Sardina Salvatore Mastrangelo Genome wide analyses reveal the population distinctiveness of the ‘Nera del Mela’ sheep Italian Journal of Animal Science snps animal genetic resource sheep genetic diversity run of homozygosity |
| title | Genome wide analyses reveal the population distinctiveness of the ‘Nera del Mela’ sheep |
| title_full | Genome wide analyses reveal the population distinctiveness of the ‘Nera del Mela’ sheep |
| title_fullStr | Genome wide analyses reveal the population distinctiveness of the ‘Nera del Mela’ sheep |
| title_full_unstemmed | Genome wide analyses reveal the population distinctiveness of the ‘Nera del Mela’ sheep |
| title_short | Genome wide analyses reveal the population distinctiveness of the ‘Nera del Mela’ sheep |
| title_sort | genome wide analyses reveal the population distinctiveness of the nera del mela sheep |
| topic | snps animal genetic resource sheep genetic diversity run of homozygosity |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1828051X.2023.2216724 |
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