ABSTRACT
This is the first report performing the whole genome SNP scanning of snow sheep (Ovis nivicola). Samples of snow sheep (n = 18) collected in six different regions of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) from 64° to 71° N. For SNP genotyping, we applied Ovine 50K SNP BeadChip (Illumina, United States), designed for domestic sheep. The total number of genotyped SNPs (call rate 90%) was 47796 (88.1% of total SNPs), wherein 1006 SNPs were polymorphic (2.1%). Principal component analysis (PCA) showed the clear differentiation within the species O. nivicola: studied individuals were distributed among five distinct arrays corresponding to the geographical locations of sampling points. Our results demonstrate that the DNA chip designed for domestic sheep can be successfully used to study the allele pool and the genetic structure of snow sheep populations.
Subject(s)
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Sheep/genetics , Animals , Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis/methods , Phylogeography , Russia , Species SpecificityABSTRACT
A comparative study of the informativeness of SNP and STR markers for interspecific and intraspecific differentiation of the two species of the genus Ovis, snow sheep (O. nivicola) and domestic sheep (O. aries), was conducted. Eleven STR loci combined into two multiplex panels were examined. SNP analysis was performed with the DNA microarray OvineSNP50K BeadChip featuring 54241 SNPs. The possibility of clear differentiation of the studied Ovis species with both types of genetic markers was demonstrated. The advantages of SNP markers for intraspecific differentiation of the O. aries breeds and O. nivicola geographical groups were revealed. The areas of application of the studied types of DNA markers are discussed.
