Genetic diversity of selected genes that are potentially economically important in feral sheep of New Zealand |
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| Authors: | Grant W McKenzie Johanna Abbott Huitong Zhou Qian Fang Norma Merrick Rachel H Forrest J Richard Sedcole Jonathan G Hickford |
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| Affiliation: | 1.Department of Agricultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, PO Box 84, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, New Zealand;2.Environment Canterbury, PO Box 345, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand;3.Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, Eastern Institute of Technology, Private Bag 1201, Napier, New Zealand |
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| Abstract: | BackgroundFeral sheep are considered to be a source of genetic variation that has been lost from their domestic counterparts through selection.MethodsThis study investigates variation in the genes KRTAP1-1, KRT33, ADRB3 and DQA2 in Merino-like feral sheep populations from New Zealand and its offshore islands. These genes have previously been shown to influence wool, lamb survival and animal health.ResultsAll the genes were polymorphic, but no new allele was identified in the feral populations. In some of these populations, allele frequencies differed from those observed in commercial Merino sheep and other breeds found in New Zealand. Heterozygosity levels were comparable to those observed in other studies on feral sheep. Our results suggest that some of the feral populations may have been either inbred or outbred over the duration of their apparent isolation.ConclusionThe variation described here allows us to draw some conclusions about the likely genetic origin of the populations and selective pressures that may have acted upon them, but they do not appear to be a source of new genetic material, at least for these four genes. |
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