Comprehensive Whole-Genome Resequencing Unveils Genetic Diversity and Selective Signatures of the Xiangdong Black Goat
March 2024
in “
Frontiers in genetics
”
TLDR Xiangdong black goats have moderate genetic diversity, minimal inbreeding, and important genes for reproduction, immunity, and other traits.
This study conducted whole-genome resequencing on 20 Xiangdong black goats and 139 samples from six other Chinese goat breeds to explore their genetic diversity and selective signatures. The analysis identified 19,133,125 SNPs, mostly in intergenic and intronic regions, and revealed that Xiangdong black goats have moderate genetic diversity, minimal inbreeding, and a substantial effective population size. Population structure analysis showed reduced genetic differentiation compared to some breeds but greater divergence from Jining goats. Selective sweep methods identified genes related to reproduction, immunity, lactation, hair growth, and thermoregulation. These findings provide valuable insights for breeding and conservation programs.