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Origin and phylogenetic status of the local Ashanti Dwarf pig (ADP) of Ghana based on genetic analysis

Abstract:

Background: The Ashanti Dwarf Pig (ADP) of Ghana is an endangered pig breed with hardy and disease resistant traits. Characterisation of animal genetic resources provides relevant data for their conservation and sustainable use for food security and economic development. We investigated the origin and phylogenetic status of the local ADP of Ghana and their crosses with modern commercial breeds based on mtDNA, MC1R, Y-chromosome sequence polymorphisms, and genome-wide SNP genotyping.

Results: The study involved 164 local pigs sampled from the three agro-ecological zones of Ghana. Analyses of the mitochondrial D-loop region and Y-chromosome sequences revealed both European and Asian genetic signatures, with differences between the geographical zones. Black coat colour is the most predominant within the breed, with black MC1R alleles of both Asian and European origin. European alleles for spotting are present at a low frequency in the sample set, and may account for the occurrence of spotted piglets in some APD litters. PCA analysis of SNP data revealed a strong location and breed effect on clustering of local Ghanaian pigs. On a global level, Ghanaian local pigs cluster closely with European pigs of commercial origin, but we identified intervals via FST analyses that may elucidate loci for ADP specific traits.

Conclusions: The presence of both European and Asian contributions, with differences between geographical zones probably reflects trading and colonial influences. Understanding the effects of admixture on important adaptive and economic traits of the ADP and other local breeds in Africa is critical for developing sustainable conservation programmes to prevent the decline of these genetic resources.

Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1186/s12864-017-3536-6

Authors


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Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
SSD
Department:
School of Archaeology
Sub department:
Archaeology Institute
Role:
Author


More from this funder
Funding agency for:
Larson, G
Grant:
337574-UNDEAD


Publisher:
BioMed Central
Journal:
BMC Genomics More from this journal
Volume:
18
Issue:
193
Publication date:
2017-02-20
Acceptance date:
2017-02-02
DOI:
EISSN:
1471-2164
ISSN:
1471-2164


Keywords:
Pubs id:
pubs:685663
UUID:
uuid:59b06512-5f92-4b97-8455-4acfdcd2dfc8
Local pid:
pubs:685663
Source identifiers:
685663
Deposit date:
2017-03-15

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