Design and development of a multiplex microsatellite panel for the genetic characterisation and diversity assessment of domestic turkey (Meleagris gallopavo gallopavo)

Domestic turkey production generally utilises only a few genetically improved lines, and local breeds are severely endangered as a result. Furthermore, the genetic resources of domestic turkeys have not been properly investigated, which could, ultimately, lead to the extinction of local breeds and negatively affect their corresponding genetic diversity and environmental adaptation. Although, several microsatellite markers have been designed for mapping and quantitative trait locus analysis, there is no standard panel of markers for genetic characterisation or genetic diversity assessment. Accordingly, the present study aimed to develop a set of polymorphic microsatellite markers that could be used for international turkey population studies. Thirty-nine microsatellites were selected based on polymorphism, DNA sequence and chromosome position, as well as on amplification efficiency, success rate and the absence of nonspecific amplification. The markers were screened using 105 DNA samples from local turkey breeds from Mexico, the United States, Italy, Brazil, Egypt and Spain. A total of 401 alleles were identified, with a mean number of alleles per marker of 10.28 \ub1 4.25. All microsatellites were polymorphic, with at least four alleles and no more than 19 alleles. Furthermore, allelic richness ranged from 3.810 to 17.985, mean heterozygosity ranged from 0.452 \ub1 0.229 to 0.667 \ub1 0.265, polymorphic information content values ranged from 0.213 (MNT264) to 0.850 (RHT0024) and the mean Fis value was 0.322. Overall, the panel was highly polymorphic and exhibited moderate Hardy\u2013Weinberg disequilibrium, thereby indicating its value as a tool for biodiversity and population structure studies that could play an important role in promoting the conservation of local turkey breeds.Highlights Important genetic resources reside within indigenous turkey populations. These are linked to historic heritage production values and breeds. It is important to preserve this heritage and genetic diversity, which threatens to be lost as production systems focus on production characteristics. Microsatellite markers, even though, they are now replaced by single nucleotide polymorphism automatic genotyping platforms in many fields of genetics, remain a viable alternative thanks to their cheapness and simplicity of study which makes them particularly useful when the population to be studied lacks information of the prior genetic structure

Missense and nonsense mutations in melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene of different goat breeds: association with red and black coat colour phenotypes but with unexpected evidences

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Agouti </it>and <it>Extension </it>loci control the relative amount of eumelanin and pheomelanin production in melanocytes that, in turn, affects pigmentation of skin and hair. The <it>Extension </it>locus encodes the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) whose permanent activation, caused by functional mutations, results in black coat colour, whereas other inactivating mutations cause red coat colour in different mammals.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The whole coding region of the <it>MC1R </it>gene was sequenced in goats of six different breeds showing different coat colours (Girgentana, white cream with usually small red spots in the face; Maltese, white with black cheeks and ears; Derivata di Siria, solid red; Murciano-Granadina, solid black or solid brown; Camosciata delle Alpi, brown with black stripes; Saanen, white; F₁goats and the parental animals). Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified: one nonsense mutation (p.Q225X), three missense mutations (p.A81V, p.F250V, and p.C267W), and one silent mutation. The stop codon at position 225 should cause the production of a shorter MC1R protein whose functionality may be altered. These SNPs were investigated in a larger sample of animals belonging to the six breeds. The Girgentana breed was almost fixed for the p.225X allele. However, there was not complete association between the presence of red spots in the face and the presence of this allele in homozygous condition. The same allele was identified in the Derivata di Siria breed. However, its frequency was only 33%, despite the fact that these animals are completely red. The p.267W allele was present in all Murciano-Granadina black goats, whereas it was never identified in the brown ones. Moreover, the same substitution was present in almost all Maltese goats providing evidence of association between this mutation and black coat colour.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>According to the results obtained in the investigated goat breeds, <it>MC1R </it>mutations may determine eumelanic and pheomelanic phenotypes. However, they are probably not the only factors. In particular, the surprising not complete association of the nonsense mutation (p.Q225X) with red coat colour raises a few hypotheses on the determination of pheomelanic phenotypes in goats that should be further investigated.</p

Genetic footprints of iberian cattle in America 500 years after the arrival of Columbus.

American Creole cattle presumably descend from animals imported from the Iberian Peninsula during the period of colonization and settlement, through different migration routes, andmay have also suffered the influence of cattle directly imported from Africa. The introduction of European cattle, which began in the 18th century, and later of Zebu from India, has threatened the survival of Creole populations, some of which have nearly disappeared or were admixed with exotic breeds. Assessment of the genetic status of Creole cattle is essential for the establishment of conservation programs of these historical resources. Methodology/Principal Findings: We sampled 27 Creole populations, 39 Iberian, 9 European and 6 Zebu breeds. We used microsatellite markers to assess the origins of Creole cattle, and to investigate the influence of different breeds on their genetic make-up. The major ancestral contributions are from breeds of southern Spain and Portugal, in agreement with the historical ports of departure of ships sailing towards the Western Hemisphere. This Iberian contribution to Creoles may also include some African influence, given the influential role that African cattle have had in the development of Iberian breeds, but the possibility of a direct influence on Creoles of African cattle imported to America can not be discarded. In addition to the Iberian influence, the admixture with other European breeds was minor. The Creoles from tropical areas, especially those from the Caribbean, show clear signs of admixture with Zebu. Conclusions/Significance: Nearly five centuries since cattle were first brought to the Americas, Creoles still show a strong and predominant signature of their Iberian ancestors. Creole breeds differ widely from each other, both in genetic structure and influences from other breeds. Efforts are needed to avoid their extinction or further genetic erosion, which would compromise centuries of selective adaptation to a wide range of environmental conditions

Genetic Footprints of Iberian Cattle in America 500 Years after the Arrival of Columbus

Background: American Creole cattle presumably descend from animals imported from the Iberian Peninsula during the period of colonization and settlement, through different migration routes, andmay have also suffered the influence of cattle directly imported from Africa. The introduction of European cattle, which began in the 18th century, and later of Zebu from India, has threatened the survival of Creole populations, some of which have nearly disappeared or were admixed with exotic breeds. Assessment of the genetic status of Creole cattle is essential for the establishment of conservation programs of these historical resources. Methodology/Principal Findings: We sampled 27 Creole populations, 39 Iberian, 9 European and 6 Zebu breeds. We used microsatellite markers to assess the origins of Creole cattle, and to investigate the influence of different breeds on their genetic make-up. The major ancestral contributions are from breeds of southern Spain and Portugal, in agreement with the historical ports of departure of ships sailing towards the Western Hemisphere. This Iberian contribution to Creoles may also include some African influence, given the influential role that African cattle have had in the development of Iberian breeds, but the possibility of a direct influence on Creoles of African cattle imported to America can not be discarded. In addition to the Iberian influence, the admixture with other European breeds was minor. The Creoles from tropical areas, especially those from the Caribbean, show clear signs of admixture with Zebu. Conclusions/Significance: Nearly five centuries since cattle were first brought to the Americas, Creoles still show a strong and predominant signature of their Iberian ancestors. Creole breeds differ widely from each other, both in genetic structure and influences from other breeds. Efforts are needed to avoid their extinction or further genetic erosion, which would compromise centuries of selective adaptation to a wide range of environmental condition

Evidence for a retroviral insertion in TRPM1 as the cause of congenital stationary night blindness and leopard complex spotting in the horse

Leopard complex spotting is a group of white spotting patterns in horses caused by an incompletely dominant gene (LP) where homozygotes (LP/LP) are also affected with congenital stationary night blindness. Previous studies implicated Transient Receptor Potential Cation Channel, Subfamily M, Member 1 (TRPM1) as the best candidate gene for both CSNB and LP. RNA-Seq data pinpointed a 1378 bp insertion in intron 1 of TRPM1 as the potential cause. This insertion, a long terminal repeat (LTR) of an endogenous retrovirus, was completely associated with LP, testing 511 horses (χ²=1022.00, p<<0.0005), and CSNB, testing 43 horses (χ2=43, p<<0.0005). The LTR was shown to disrupt TRPM1 transcription by premature poly-adenylation. Furthermore, while deleterious transposable element insertions should be quickly selected against the identification of this insertion in three ancient DNA samples suggests it has been maintained in the horse gene pool for at least 17,000 years. This study represents the first description of an LTR insertion being associated with both a pigmentation phenotype and an eye disorder.Rebecca R. Bellone … David L. Adelson, Sim Lin Lim … et al

Colonial spanish sheep, goats, hogs and asses in the United States

La influencia remanente de la era colonial española sobre ovejas, cabras, cerdos y asnos en los Estados Unidos es menor que en caballos y vacunos. Parte fue debido a que esas especies nunca han sido tan importantes económicamente como caballos y vacas, y tampoco han tenido el mismo prestigio social

The colonial Spanish horse in the USA: history and current status

Los caballos criollos españoles en USA, descienden de los llevados desde España durante la conquista del Nuevo Mundo. Son un remanente directo de los caballos españoles del descubrimiento y conservan este tipo de caballo en las poblaciones actuales. Los caballos criollos de origen español en USA proceden de los del actual México y estos, a la vez, de las importaciones originales españolas a las Antillas. Otras poblaciones de caballos caribeños o sudamericanos tuvieron, posteriormente, impacto de caballos traídos directamente desde España. Su origen menos selecto hace a los caballos norteamericanos interesantes desde puntos de vista históricos y biológicos, pues son más parecidos a los caballos originalmente introducidos en el Nuevo Mundo que otros tipos o razas. Los caballos criollos españoles en USA, son generalmente pequeños y compactos con perfiles convexos o subconvexos. La muscultura tiende a ser alargada y delgada y la grupa cae marcadamente con inserción baja de la cola. Los caballos son empleados para una amplia variedad de usos aunque la resistencia y paseo son las tareas más frecuentes. Los colores varían ampliamente y, por cierto, incluyen variantes que no son comunes en otras poblaciones que descienden de los caballos españoles. Los colores incluyen negro, bayo, castaño, alazán, ceniciento, pardo, pardo rojo, palomino, crema y una infrecuente serie de colores basados en el pardo chocolate. Las formas de blanco incluyen gris, ruanos, overos y el complejo de colores leopardo. El tipo de caballo criollo está registrado en varias registros Spanish Mustang Registry, Spanish Barb Breeders Association, Southwest Spanish Mustang Association, Florida Cracker Horse Association y American Indian Horse Registry. Todos ellos incluyen un tipo similar de caballo, pero cada uno de ellos hace énfasis sobre ligeras peculiaridades o excluye ciertas subpoblaciones del registro. Los registros están abiertos, pero precisos. Por eso, a pesar de permanecer abiertos los registros están todos implicados en la conservaciónde la pureza de los caballos criollos

Colonial spanish sheep, goats, hogs and asses in the United States

La influencia remanente de la era colonial española sobre ovejas, cabras, cerdos y asnos en los Estados Unidos es menor que en caballos y vacunos. Parte fue debido a que esas especies nunca han sido tan importantes económicamente como caballos y vacas, y tampoco han tenido el mismo prestigio social

The colonial Spanish horse in the USA: history and current status

Los caballos criollos españoles en USA, descienden de los llevados desde España durante la conquista del Nuevo Mundo. Son un remanente directo de los caballos españoles del descubrimiento y conservan este tipo de caballo en las poblaciones actuales. Los caballos criollos de origen español en USA proceden de los del actual México y estos, a la vez, de las importaciones originales españolas a las Antillas. Otras poblaciones de caballos caribeños o sudamericanos tuvieron, posteriormente, impacto de caballos traídos directamente desde España. Su origen menos selecto hace a los caballos norteamericanos interesantes desde puntos de vista históricos y biológicos, pues son más parecidos a los caballos originalmente introducidos en el Nuevo Mundo que otros tipos o razas. Los caballos criollos españoles en USA, son generalmente pequeños y compactos con perfiles convexos o subconvexos. La muscultura tiende a ser alargada y delgada y la grupa cae marcadamente con inserción baja de la cola. Los caballos son empleados para una amplia variedad de usos aunque la resistencia y paseo son las tareas más frecuentes. Los colores varían ampliamente y, por cierto, incluyen variantes que no son comunes en otras poblaciones que descienden de los caballos españoles. Los colores incluyen negro, bayo, castaño, alazán, ceniciento, pardo, pardo rojo, palomino, crema y una infrecuente serie de colores basados en el pardo chocolate. Las formas de blanco incluyen gris, ruanos, overos y el complejo de colores leopardo. El tipo de caballo criollo está registrado en varias registros Spanish Mustang Registry, Spanish Barb Breeders Association, Southwest Spanish Mustang Association, Florida Cracker Horse Association y American Indian Horse Registry. Todos ellos incluyen un tipo similar de caballo, pero cada uno de ellos hace énfasis sobre ligeras peculiaridades o excluye ciertas subpoblaciones del registro. Los registros están abiertos, pero precisos. Por eso, a pesar de permanecer abiertos los registros están todos implicados en la conservaciónde la pureza de los caballos criollos

Colonial Spanish cattle in the USA: history and present status

El ganado bovino de la era colonial española en los Estados Unidos persiste escasamente. Los bovinos españoles fueron introducidos en el SO y SE de USA durante el establecimiento de las misiones españolas y fincas privadas. Estas poblaciones del SO y SE quedaron aisladas unas de otras evolucionando hacia tipos distintos de ganado vacuno. La población del Sudeste se convirtió en el Longhorn de Texas; estos animales están bien adaptados a las condiciones extensivas, con escasez de agua y algunas poblaciones bien adaptadas a las condiciones húmedas de la Costa del Golfo. Son animales de tamaño pequeño a medio y su color varía considerablemente. Su onformación es de tipo ambiental, pobremente musculada, aunque la selección está cambiando estas características. El tipo original, tradicional, fue apreciado por la longevidad y fertilidad de las vacas siendo empleado en ambientes dificiles. La población de ganado español del Sudeste ha sido recientemente estandarizada como raza, llamada Florida Cracker Cattle. Los animales son más pequeños y algo más compactos que el Longhorn de Texas y tienen variables colores y encornaduras. Están bien adaptados a un ambiente húmedo y subtropical. Son apreciados por la longevidad, fertilidad y resistencia a los parásitos. Los usos históricos incluyen la producción de bueyes para trabajo con fines agrícolas y forestales así como novillos para carne y vacas para leche