| Autor: |
Hlongwane NL; Agricultural Research Council, Biotechnology Platform, Private Bag X5, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa.; Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa., Dzomba EF; Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa., Hadebe K; Agricultural Research Council, Biotechnology Platform, Private Bag X5, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa., van der Nest MA; Agricultural Research Council, Biotechnology Platform, Private Bag X5, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa.; Hans Merensky Chair in Avocado Research, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa., Pierneef R; Agricultural Research Council, Biotechnology Platform, Private Bag X5, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa.; Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa., Muchadeyi FC; Agricultural Research Council, Biotechnology Platform, Private Bag X5, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa. |
| Abstrakt: |
South Africa boasts a diverse range of pig populations, encompassing intensively raised commercial breeds, as well as indigenous and village pigs reared under low-input production systems. The aim of this study was to investigate how natural and artificial selection have shaped the genomic landscape of South African pig populations sampled from different genetic backgrounds and production systems. For this purpose, the integrated haplotype score (iHS), as well as cross population extended haplotype homozygosity (XP-EHH) and Lewontin and Krakauer's extension of the Fst statistic based on haplotype information (HapFLK) were utilised. Our results revealed several population-specific signatures of selection associated with the different production systems. The importance of natural selection in village populations was highlighted, as the majority of genomic regions under selection were identified in these populations. Regions under natural and artificial selection causing the distinct genetic footprints of these populations also allow for the identification of genes and pathways that may influence production and adaptation. In the context of intensively raised commercial pig breeds (Large White, Kolbroek, and Windsnyer), the identified regions included quantitative loci (QTLs) associated with economically important traits. For example, meat and carcass QTLs were prevalent in all the populations, showing the potential of village and indigenous populations' ability to be managed and improved for such traits. Results of this study therefore increase our understanding of the intricate interplay between selection pressures, genomic adaptations, and desirable traits within South African pig populations. |
