Genome Variation Map of Domestic Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Yaks by SLAF-Seq Reveals Genetic Footprint during Artificial Selection.
The yak () was domesticated in the high-altitude QTP. Research about their genetic diversity and population structure is limited. In this study, we resequenced the genome of 494 domestic yaks using Specific-Locus Amplified Fragment Sequencing (SLAF-seq). The survey was conducted on six populations sampled from isolated locations in China in order to analyze their structure and genetic diversity. These six domestic populations were clearly grouped into two independent clusters, with Jinchuan, Changtai, and Jiulong showing a tight genetic relationship with the wild yak. Nerve development pathways were enriched with GO enrichment analysis of 334 domesticated genes. Major genomic regions associated with the differentiation of domestic yaks were detected. These findings provide preliminary information on the yak genome variability, useful to understand the genomic characteristics of different populations in QTP.
Li B
,Yang J
,Liu Y
,Jiang M
... -
《Animals》
Whole-genome resequencing provides insights into the evolution and divergence of the native domestic yaks of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
On the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, known as the roof ridge of the world, the yak is a precious cattle species that has been indispensable to the human beings living in this high-altitude area. However, the origin of domestication, dispersal route, and the divergence of domestic yaks from different areas are poorly understood.
Here, we resequenced the genome of 91 domestic yak individuals from 31 populations and 1 wild yaks throughout China. Using a population genomics approach, we observed considerable genetic variation. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that the earliest domestications of yak occurred in the south-eastern QTP, followed by dispersal to the west QTP and northeast to SiChuang, Gansu, and Qinghai by two routes. Interestingly, we also found potential associations between the distribution of some breeds and historical trade routes such as the Silk Road and Tang-Tibet Ancient Road. Selective analysis identified 11 genes showing differentiation between domesticated and wild yaks and the potentially positively selected genes in each group were identified and compared among domesticated groups. We also detected an unbalanced pattern of introgression among domestic yak, wild yak, and Tibetan cattle.
Our research revealed population genetic evidence for three groups of domestic yaks. In addition to providing genomic evidence for the domestication history of yaks, we identified potential selected genes and introgression, which provide a theoretical basis and resources for the selective breeding of superior characters and high-quality yak.
Chai ZX
,Xin JW
,Zhang CF
,Dawayangla
,Luosang
,Zhang Q
,Pingcuozhandui
,Li C
,Zhu Y
,Cao HW
,Wang H
,Han JL
,Ji QM
,Zhong JC
... -
《BMC EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY》
Maternal phylogeny of a newly-found yak population in china.
The Jinchuan yak is a new yak population identified in Sichuan, China. This population has a special anatomical characteristic: an additional pair of ribs compared with other yak breeds. The genetic structure of this population is unknown. In the present study, we investigated the maternal phylogeny of this special yak population using the mitochondrial DNA variation. A total of 23 Jinchuan yaks were sequenced for a 823-bp fragment of D-loop control region and three individuals were sequenced for the whole mtDNA genome with a length of 16,371-bp. To compare with the data from other yaks, we extracted sequence data from Genebank, including D-loop of 398 yaks (from 12 breeds) and 55 wild yaks, and whole mitochondrial genomes of 53 yaks (from 12 breeds) and 21 wild yaks. A total of 127 haplotypes were defined, based on the D-loop data. Thirteen haplotypes were defined from 23 mtDNA D-loop sequences of Jinchuan yaks, six of which were shared only by Jinchuan, and one was shared by Jinchuan and wild yaks. The Jinquan yaks were found to carry clades A and B from lineage I and clade C of lineage II, respectively. It was also suggested that the Jinchuan population has no distinct different phylogenetic relationship in maternal inheritance with other breeds of yak. The highly haplotype diversity of the Pali breed, Jinchuan population, Maiwa breed and Jiulong breed suggested that the yak was first domesticated from wild yaks in the middle Himalayan region and the northern Hengduan Mountains. The special anatomic characteristic that we found in the Jinchuan population needs further studies based on nuclear data.
Mipam TD
,Wen Y
,Fu C
,Li S
,Zhao H
,Ai Y
,Li L
,Zhang L
,Zou D
... -
《INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES》
Whole-genome resequencing reveals genetic diversity, differentiation, and selection signatures of yak breeds/populations in Qinghai, China.
The Qinghai Province of China is located in the northeast region of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) and carries abundant yak genetic resources. Previous investigations of archaeological records, mitochondrial DNA, and Y chromosomal markers have suggested that Qinghai was the major center of yak domestication. In the present study, we examined the genomic diversity, differentiation, and selection signatures of 113 Qinghai yak, including 42 newly sequenced Qinghai yak and 71 publicly available individuals, from nine yak breeds/populations (wild, Datong, Huanhu, Xueduo, Yushu, Qilian, Geermu, Tongde, and Huzhu white) using high-depth whole-genome resequencing data. We observed that most of Qinghai yak breeds/populations have abundant genomic diversity based on four genomic parameters (nucleotide diversity, inbreeding coefficients, linkage disequilibrium decay, and runs of homozygosity). Population genetic structure analysis showed that Qinghai yak have two lineages with two ancestral origins and that nine yak breeds/populations are clustered into three distinct groups of wild yak, Geermu yak, and seven other domestic yak breeds/populations. values showed moderate genetic differentiation between wild yak, Geermu yak, and the other Qinghai yak breeds/populations. Positive selection signals were detected in candidate genes associated with disease resistance (, , and ), heat stress (, , and ), pigmentation (, , and ), vision (, , and ), milk quality ( and ), neurodevelopment (, , and ), and meat quality (), using the integrated PI, composite likelihood ratio (CLR), and methods. These findings offer new insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying target traits in yak and provide important information for understanding the genomic characteristics of yak breeds/populations in Qinghai.
Li G
,Luo J
,Wang F
,Xu D
,Ahmed Z
,Chen S
,Li R
,Ma Z
... -
《Frontiers in Genetics》