Identification of genome-wide patterns of divergence provides insight on how genomes are influenced by selection and can reveal the potential for local adaptation in spatially structured populations. In Atlantic cod – historically a major marine resource – Northeast-Arctic- and Norwegian coastal cod are recognized by fundamental differences in migratory and non-migratory behavior, respectively. However, the genomic architecture underlying such behavioral ecotypes is unclear. Here, we have analyzed more than 8.000 polymorphic SNPs distributed throughout all 23 linkage groups and show that loci putatively under selection are localized within three distinct genomic regions, each of several megabases long, covering approximately 4% of the Atlantic cod genome. These regions likely represent genomic inversions. The frequency of these distinct regions differ markedly between the ecotypes, spawning in the vicinity of each other, which contrasts with the low level of divergence in the rest of the genome. The observed patterns strongly suggest that these chromosomal rearrangements are instrumental in local adaptation and separation of Atlantic cod populations, leaving footprints of large genomic regions under selection. Our findings demonstrate the power of using genomic information in further understanding the population dynamics and defining management units in one of the world’s most economically important marine resources.

In several species genetic differentiation across environmental gradients or between geographically separate populations has been reported to center at “genomic islands of divergence,” resulting in heterogeneous differentiation patterns across genomes. Here, genomic regions of elevated divergence were observed on three chromosomes of the highly mobile fish Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) within geographically fine-scaled coastal areas. The “genomic islands” extended at least 5, 9.5, and 13 megabases on linkage groups 2, 7, and 12, respectively, and coincided with large blocks of linkage disequilibrium. For each of these three chromosomes, pairs of segregating, highly divergent alleles were identified, with little or no gene exchange between them. These patterns of recombination and divergence mirror genomic signatures previously described for large polymorphic inversions, which have been shown to repress recombination across extensive chromosomal segments. The lack of genetic exchange permits divergence between noninverted and inverted chromosomes in spite of gene flow. For the rearrangements on linkage groups 2 and 12, allelic frequency shifts between coastal and oceanic environments suggest a role in ecological adaptation, in agreement with recently reported associations between molecular variation within these genomic regions and temperature, oxygen, and salinity levels. Elevated genetic differentiation in these genomic regions has previously been described on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, and we therefore suggest that these polymorphisms are involved in adaptive divergence across the species distributional range.

Background: We present here the assembly of the bovine genome. The assembly method combines the BAC plus WGS local assembly used for the rat and sea urchin with the whole genome shotgun (WGS) only assembly used for many other animal genomes including the rhesus macaque.

Coexistence in the same habitat of closely related yet genetically different populations is a phenomenon that challenges our understanding of local population structure and adaptation. Identifying the underlying mechanisms for such coexistence can yield new insight into adaptive evolution, diversification and the potential for organisms to adapt and persist in response to a changing environment. Recent studies have documented cryptic, sympatric populations of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in coastal areas. We analysed genetic origin of 6,483 individual cod sampled annually over 14 years from 125 locations along the Norwegian Skagerrak coast and document stable coexistence of two genetically divergent Atlantic cod ecotypes throughout the study area and study period. A “fjord” ecotype dominated in numbers deep inside fjords while a “North Sea” ecotype was the only type found in offshore North Sea. Both ecotypes coexisted in similar proportions throughout coastal habitats at all spatial scales. The size‐at‐age of the North Sea ecotype on average exceeded that of the fjord ecotype by 20% in length and 80% in weight across all habitats. Different growth and size among individuals of the two types might be one of several ecologically significant variables that allow for stable coexistence of closely related populations within the same habitat. Management plans, biodiversity initiatives and other mitigation strategies that do not account for the mixture of species ecotypes are unlikely to meet objectives related to the sustainability of fish and fisheries.

BackgroundClinical mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland and causes significant costs to dairy production. It is unfavourably genetically correlated to milk production, and, thus, knowledge of the mechanisms that underlie these traits would be valuable to improve both of them simultaneously through breeding. A quantitative trait locus (QTL) that affects both clinical mastitis and milk production has recently been fine-mapped to around 89 Mb on bovine chromosome 6 (BTA6), but identification of the gene that underlies this QTL was not possible due to the strong linkage disequilibrium between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within this region. Our aim was to identify the gene and, if possible, the causal polymorphism(s) responsible for this QTL through association analysis of high-density SNPs and imputed full sequence data in combination with analyses of transcript and protein levels of the identified candidate gene.ResultsAssociations between SNPs and the studied traits were strongest for SNPs that were located within and immediately upstream of the group-specific component (GC) gene. This gene encodes the vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) and has multiple roles in immune defense and milk production. A 12-kb duplication that was identified downstream of this gene covered its last exon and segregated with the QTL allele that is associated with increased mastitis susceptibility and milk production. However, analyses of GC mRNA levels on the available samples revealed no differences in expression between animals having or lacking this duplication. Moreover, we detected no differences in the concentrations of DBP and its ligand vitamin D between the animals with different GC genotypes that were available for this study.ConclusionsOur results suggest GC as the gene that underlies the QTL for clinical mastitis and milk production. However, since only healthy animals were sampled for transcription and expression analyses, we could not draw any final conclusion on the absence of quantitative differences between animals with different genotypes. Future studies should investigate GC RNA expression and protein levels in cows with different genotypes during an infection.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12711-016-0257-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Mastitis is the most frequent and costly disease in dairy production and solutions leading to a reduction in the incidence of mastitis are highly demanded. Here a genome-wide association study was performed to identify polymorphisms affecting susceptibility to mastitis. Genotypes for 17 349 SNPs distributed across the 29 bovine autosomal chromosomes from a total of 2589 sires with 1 389 776 daughters with records on clinical mastitis were included in the analysis. Records of occurrence of clinical mastitis were divided into seven time periods in the first three lactations in order to identify quantitative trait loci affecting mastitis susceptibility in particular phases of lactation. The most convincing results from the association mapping were followed up and validated by a combined linkage disequilibrium and linkage analysis. The study revealed quantitative trait loci affecting occurrence of clinical mastitis in the periparturient period on chromosomes 2, 6 and 20 and a quantitative trait locus affecting occurrence of clinical mastitis in late lactation on chromosome 14. None of the quantitative trait loci for clinical mastitis detected in the study seemed to affect lactation average of somatic cell score. The SNPs highly associated with clinical mastitis lie near both the gene encoding interleukin 8 on chromosome 6 and the genes encoding the two interleukin 8 receptors on chromosome 2.

BackgroundBovine milk is widely regarded as a nutritious food source for humans, although the effects of individual fatty acids on human health is a subject of debate. Based on the assumption that genomic selection offers potential to improve milk fat composition, there is strong interest to understand more about the genetic factors that influence the biosynthesis of bovine milk and the molecular mechanisms that regulate milk fat synthesis and secretion. For this reason, the work reported here aimed at identifying genetic variants that affect milk fatty acid composition in Norwegian Red cattle. Milk fatty acid composition was predicted from the nation-wide recording scheme using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy data and applied to estimate heritabilities for 36 individual and combined fatty acid traits. The recordings were used to generate daughter yield deviations that were first applied in a genome-wide association (GWAS) study with 17,343 markers to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting fatty acid composition, and next on high-density and sequence-level datasets to fine-map the most significant QTL on BTA13 (BTA for Bos taurus chromosome).ResultsThe initial GWAS revealed 200 significant associations, with the strongest signals on BTA1, 13 and 15. The BTA13 QTL highlighted a strong functional candidate gene for de novo synthesis of short- and medium-chained saturated fatty acids; acyl-CoA synthetase short-chain family member 2. However, subsequent fine-mapping using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from a high-density chip and variants detected by resequencing showed that the effect was more likely caused by a second nearby gene; nuclear receptor coactivator 6 (NCOA6). These findings were confirmed with results from haplotype studies. NCOA6 is a nuclear receptor that interacts with transcription factors such as PPARγ, which is a major regulator of bovine milk fat synthesis.ConclusionsAn initial GWAS revealed a highly significant QTL for de novo-synthesized fatty acids on BTA13 and was followed by fine-mapping of the QTL within NCOA6. The most significant SNPs were either synonymous or situated in introns; more research is needed to uncover the underlying causal DNA variation(s).Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12711-017-0294-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Within the aquaculture industry downgrading losses due to poor quality represent large costs to the producers, and an interest in implementing quality parameters in breeding goals has therefore emerged. Through genome-wide association studies (GWAS) one can identify genetic variation affecting quality parameters, which can in turn facilitate efficient implementation in breeding schemes by use of marker-assisted selection. This study aimed to identify genetic variation affecting fillet fat content and fillet firmness in farmed Norwegian Atlantic salmon using 5650 genome-wide distributed SNPs. Phenotypic records from instrumental analyses of fillet fat content and fillet firmness were retrieved from fish provided by a commercial Norwegian breeding company and implemented in GWAS. Further, genome partitioning by estimation of variance components for individual chromosomes based on SNPs was conducted for the purpose of validating results from GWAS. Combined the results from GWAS and genome partitioning suggested that genetic variation affecting fillet fat content is present on Atlantic salmon chromosomes 9 and 10, and that genetic variation affecting fillet firmness is present on Atlantic salmon chromosomes 3 and 11.