Origins, timing and introgression of domestic geese revealed by whole genome data

Abstract

Background Geese are among the most important poultry species in the world. The current generally accepted hypothesis is that the European domestic geese originated from greylag geese (Anser anser), and Chinese domestic geese have two origins, most of which originated from swan geese (Anser cygnoides), and the Yili goose originated from greylag geese. To explain the origin and demographic history of geese, we selected 14 goose breeds from Europe and China and wild populations of swan and greylag geese, and whole genome sequencing data were obtained for 74 samples. Results Population structure analysis and phylogenetic trees showed that the wild ancestor of Chinese domestic geese, except for Yili, is the swan geese, and the wild ancestor of Chinese Yili and European domestic geese is greylag geese. Analysis of the demographic history suggests that the domestication of Chinese geese occurred ~ 3499 years ago and that of the European geese occurred ~ 7552 years ago. Furthermore, gene flow was observed between domestic geese and their wild ancestors. Analysis of introgression showed that Yili geese had been introgressed by Chinese domestic geese, and the body size of Yili geese may be influenced by introgression events of some growth-related genes, including IGF-1. Conclusions Our study provides evidence for the origin of geese at the genome-wide level and advances the understanding of the history of goose domestication and the traits affected by introgression events.

Phylogenetic analysis reveals multiple origins of Chinese gamecocks

“…Sequencing technology provides opportunities to dissect the domestication and history of various species from a more comprehensive perspective. For example, the origins of modern domestic chickens and geese ( Wang and Thakur, 2020 ; Wen et al, 2023 ) have been determined using whole-genome sequencing data. In this study, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis based on whole-genome data to clarify the distinction between 5 Chinese gamecock breeds.…”

Significant association of mutations close to LCORL gene with growth performance in Zhedong white geese (Anser cygnoides)

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Genomic evidence for hybridization and introgression between blue peafowl and green peafowl and selection for white plumage

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