Population genome of the newly discovered Jinchuan yak to understand its adaptive evolution in extreme environments and generation mechanism of the multirib trait

Abstract

The adaptation and diversity of animals to the extreme environments of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) are typical materials to study adaptive evolution. The recently discovered Jinchuan yak population has many individuals with multiple ribs. However, little is known about this yak's origin, evolution, and the genetic mechanisms that formed its unique multirib trait. Here, we report a valuable population genome resource of the Jinchuan yak by resequencing the whole genome of 150 individuals. Population genetic polymorphism and structure analysis reveal that Jinchuan yak can be differentiated as a unique and original yak population among the domestic yak. Combined with geological change, the Jinchuan yak's evolutionary origin is speculated to be about 6290 years ago, which may be related to the unique geographical environment of the eastern edge of the QTP during this period. Compared with other domestic yaks, this new population has 280 positively selected genes. The genes related to skeletal function hold a considerable and remarkable proportion, suggesting that the specific skeletal characteristics have been enhanced in the adaptive evolution of Jinchuan yak in the extreme plateau environment. The genome‐wide association study has revealed that TUBA8 and TUBA4A, the genes that regulate the cytoskeleton, are potential genes associated with the multirib trait. Our findings provide a basis to further understand the generation mechanism of the adaptive evolution of this new population in high‐altitude extreme environments and the multivertebrate trait of domestic animals.

Whole-Genome Resequencing Highlights the Unique Characteristics of Kecai Yaks

“…Yaks are an invaluable genetic resource in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and surrounding high-altitude regions. Several reports estimate that yaks were initially domesticated from wild yak populations approximately 7300 years ago [ 25 , 26 ]. Gannan yaks represent a local genetic resource unique to the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau.…”

Global warming responses of gut microbiota in moose (Alces alces) populations with different dispersal patterns

“…A more serious fact is that global average temperature will rise by 1.4–5.8°C by the end of the century, with increases likely (or very likely under a very high greenhouse gas emissions scenario) to reach 1.5°C of global warming between 2021 and 2040 (Masson‐Delmotte et al., 2021). It is especially urgent to explore the ecological mechanism of moose dispersal when we consider the diverse and powerful effects of climate on dispersal and the rapid and widespread changes observed as a result of climate change (Lan et al., 2021).…”

Transcriptome analysis provides new insights into cold adaptation of corsac fox (Vulpes Corsac)

“…In particular, creatures in extreme environments have undergone adaptive evolution in phenotype, physiology, and behavior, and the study of its adaptive mechanism has always been a hot topic in field of evolutionary biology. Numerous studies have explored in depth the mechanisms of adaptation in different species at the genomic, metagenomic, and transcriptome levels, such as sheep (Ji et al, 2016 ), yak (Lan et al, 2021 ), goat (Martchenko et al, 2020 ; Zhang et al, 2021 ), and dog (Gou et al, 2014 ; Miao et al, 2017 ; Wu et al, 2016 ).…”