Phylogenetic Analysis of Russian Native Sheep Breeds Based on mtDNA Sequences

Abstract

Eurasia is represented by all climatic zones and various environments. A unique breed variety of farm animals has been developed in Russia, whose territory covers a large area of the continent. A total of 69 local breeds and types of dairy, wool, and meat sheep (Ovis aries) are maintained here. However, the genetic diversity and maternal origin of these local breeds have not been comprehensively investigated. In this study, we describe the diversity and phylogeny of Russian sheep breeds inhabiting different geographical regions based on the analysis of complete sequences of mitochondrial genomes (mtDNA). Complete mtDNA sequences of the studied sheep were obtained using next-generation sequencing technology (NGS). All investigated geographical groups of sheep were characterized by high haplotype (Hd = 0.9992) and nucleotide diversity (π = 0.00378). Analysis of the AMOVA results showed that genetic diversity was majorly determined by within-population differences (77.87%). We identified 128 haplotypes in all studied sheep. Haplotypes belonged to the following haplogroups: B (64.8%), A (28.9%), C (5.5%), and D (0.8%). Haplogroup B was predominant in the western part of Russia. A high level of mtDNA polymorphism in the studied groups of local sheep indicates the presence of a significant reserve of unique genotypes in Russia, which is to be explored.

Mitochondrial Diversity and Phylogenetic Relationship of Eight Native Bulgarian Sheep Breeds

“…Principal component analyses (PCA) were performed using Excel software Version 2206 implemented by XLSTAT [52]. Two PCA coordinates were carried out: one by considering only the sample described in the present study; the other one including the large database of mtDNA control region sequences available in GenBank: MW427961-MW428078 [21]; JN184789-JN184999 [32]; DQ851886DQ8552279 [36]; KT158312-KT158460 [53]; OR459774-OR459640 [54]; EU019139-EU019189 [55]; DQ491576-DQ491736 [56]. These datasets were obtained from different European regions with the aim to compare the genetic similarity or distance between our samples and those from other European locations.…”