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Fat deposition in sheep tails is as a result of a complicated mechanism. Mongolian sheep (MG) and Small Tail Han sheep (STH) are two fat-tailed Chinese indigenous sheep breeds while DairyMeade and East Friesian (DS) are two thin-tailed dairy sheep breeds recently introduced to China. In this study, population genomics analysis was applied to identify candidate genes associated with sheep tails based on an in-depth whole-genome sequencing of MG, STH and DS. The selective signature analysis demonstrated that GLIS1, LOC101117953, PDGFD and T were in the significant divergent regions between DS and STH–MG. A nonsynonymous point mutation (g.27807636G>T) was found within GLIS1 in STH–MG and resulted in a Pro to Thr substitution. As a pro-adipogenic factor, GLIS1 may play critical roles in the mesodermal cell differentiation during fetal development affecting fat deposition in sheep tails. This study gives a new insight into the genetic basis of species-specific traits of sheep tails. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present here the de novo genome assembly CerEla1.0 for the red deer, Cervus elaphus, an emblematic member of the natural megafauna of the Northern Hemisphere. Humans spread the species in the South. Today, the red deer is also a farm-bred animal and is becoming a model animal in biomedical and population studies. Stag DNA was sequenced at 74× coverage by Illumina technology. The ALLPATHS-LG assembly of the reads resulted in 34.7 × 103 scaffolds, 26.1 × 103 of which were utilized in Cer.Ela1.0. The assembly spans 3.4 Gbp. For building the red deer pseudochromosomes, a pre-established genetic map was used for main anchor points. A nearly complete co-linearity was found between the mapmarker sequences of the deer genetic map and the order and orientation of the orthologous sequences in the syntenic bovine regions. Syntenies were also conserved at the in-scaffold level. The cM distances corresponded to 1.34 Mbp uniformly along the deer genome. Chromosomal rearrangements between deer and cattle were demonstrated. 2.8 × 106 SNPs, 365 × 103 indels and 19368 protein-coding genes were identified in CerEla1.0, along with positions for centromerons. CerEla1.0 demonstrates the utilization of dual references, i.e., when a target genome (here C. elaphus) already has a pre-established genetic map, and is combined with the well-established whole genome sequence of a closely related species (here Bos taurus). Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) that CerEla1.0 (NCBI, MKHE00000000) could serve for are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the genetic development of the German Krofdorfer Forst red deer population, located in the federal state of Hesse, by genotyping red deer hunted between 1960 and 1984 ('ancient' population) and between 2002 and 2012 ('extant' population). Krofdorfer Forst belongs to the smaller red deer areas in Hesse, with a census size in spring of 200 animals and is surrounded by areas designated as free of red deer. Because of this 'island' position, it should be evaluated whether there was a significant decrease in genetic diversity over time. DNA extracted from bone shavings of antlers and skulls was genotyped with 16 unlinked microsatellites. In the 'ancient' population, 131 alleles were detected, from which 39 were private alleles which disappeared from the 'extant' population over time. On the other hand, the 'extant' population had 112 alleles, from which 20 were new alleles acquired between 1984 and 2012. This means a net loss of 19 alleles over time in the 'extant' population. Despite this decrease in genetic diversity, there was a high number of effective alleles as compared to red deer populations in Bavaria. Furthermore, the low F value of 0.032 indicates low (or no) inbreeding and thus a likewise extremely low probability of deleterious alleles to become fixed. Using demographic data obtained from the red deer association of the Krofdorfer Forst, the effective population size was calculated to be 73, which reflects an increase in inbreeding of only 0.7 % per generation which confirms the low F value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Przewalski's gazelle ( Procapra przewalskii) is one of the most endangered antelope species in the world. It is endemic to China and is a flagship species in the eastern part of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau. To establish effective conservation measures on this species, genetic information such as genetic structure is needed. However, there has not been a comprehensive genetic assessment on this gazelle using nuclear DNA markers yet. Here, we employed 13 microsatellite loci to investigate genetic diversity, population genetic structure and demographic history of Przewalski's gazelle using noninvasive samples of 169 wild gazelles collected from nine populations. A total of 76 alleles were detected from the entire samples, mean allele number was 5.85, and overall H and H were 0.525 and 0.552, respectively. Structure and GENELAND analyses found six genetic groups in the nine populations. Between the inferred genetic groups, significant genetic differentiation and low migration rates were detected. Demographic analyses indicated that Przewalski's gazelle experienced genetic bottleneck and severe population decline, with the ancestral effective population size reducing to less than one percent. Based on the results of this study, we provide several conservation recommendations for Przewalski's gazelle, such as six management units, periodic monitoring and special conservation consideration on the Qiejitan population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]