Work

Unraveling the population genetic structure and identifying candidate genes for dorsal plumage color in Liangshan Yanying chickens

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: of 0.27. Identity-by-state (IBS) distances suggested low kinship among individuals. A total of 1,726 ROH segments were identified, resulting in a low average inbreeding coefficient (FROH) of 0.0125, indicating moderate genetic diversity accompanied by a mild deficit of heterozygosity and suggesting the presence of mild inbreeding or past selection. GWAS revealed that candidate genes on chromosome 11 (DEF8, TCF25, TUBB3, DBNDD1, and MC1R) were associated with light/dark mottled plumage, while genes on chromosome 1 (GRM5, TYR, LOC121107450, and CTSC) were linked to the presence/absence of coloration. Overall, the Liangshan Yanying chicken population shows evidence of effective conservation. The variation in feather color is primarily associated with the MC1R, TYR, and other related regulatory genes, offering valuable genetic insights for the maintenance of color patterns and for the development of molecular-assisted breeding strategies.

Source: Poultry Science

DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2025.106180