Sheep Population Research Articles

Transition Between Two Worlds: Morphological Continuity in Iron Age Cattle, Pig, and Sheep Populations (800–50 bc) of the Rhône Valley (France)

ABSTRACTThe Rhône valley is an important contact point between the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. In Iron Ages (800–50 bc), it was an area of circulation between different material and cultural worlds, where different practices and cultures met. In this particular context, archeozoological studies can offer a different view of these questions of exchange and potential influence, by approaching the issues of food and animal husbandry. This study seeks to approach this question through the prism of animal morphology, the result of a selection of morphotypes by breeders, notably cattle, pig, and sheep, the most common species in the region at the time. Thanks to the log size index method, a certain stability can be demonstrated in pig and cattle morphology over time and space, as well as a slow homogenization of their sizes, which is really visible at La Tène D (125–50 bc). Sheep show a specific pattern with a notable high increase during La Tène C (250–125 bc). Comparison with data from other parts of the Mediterranean world would suggest that the development of local morphotypes owes little or nothing to the influence of Mediterranean breeding practices.

Effects of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, abundance, and climate conditions on bighorn sheep lamb:ewe ratios in New Mexico

AbstractMycoplasma ovipneumoniae is a primary causative agent responsible for initiating polymicrobial pneumonia in bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis). Infections of bighorn sheep populations are typically characterized by initial all‐age epizootics followed by long‐term periods of repressed juvenile (lamb) survival. Populations of bighorn sheep in New Mexico, USA, were thought to be free of this pathogen prior to 2017 but recent infection of multiple herds raised concerns regarding impacts on population size and juvenile:female ratios. Using aerial survey, survival, and disease sampling data in an exploratory framework, we (1) characterize age‐related differences in M. ovipneumoniae prevalence and seroprevalence, (2) quantify differences in lamb:ewe ratios pre‐ and post‐M. ovipneumoniae detection, and (3) investigate differences in survival between previously exposed and naïve individuals. From 2007 to 2022, we sampled 466 bighorn sheep across 19 populations in New Mexico for M. ovipneumoniae exposure. While the timing of initial herd infections varied across populations, one population sustained active infections for over 15 years. We found reduced juvenile:female ratios post M. ovipneumoniae exposure for both desert (O. c. mexicana) and Rocky Mountain (O. c. canadensis) bighorn sheep populations. Post‐exposure ratio declines ranged from 20% to 69%. Evaluation of population size and environmental condition effects on juvenile:female ratios indicated varying impacts for each subspecies. Notably, population size was negatively related to Rocky Mountain juvenile:female ratios only after populations were exposed to M. ovipneumoniae. Additionally, climatic conditions in the previous lambing season and pre‐parturition time frame were associated with juvenile:female ratios for Rocky Mountain populations, while juvenile:female ratios of desert bighorn appeared to only be affected by pre‐parturition climatic conditions. Kaplan–Meier survival estimation of previously exposed, but putatively recovered, individuals (n = 31) and naïve individuals (n = 70) revealed lower (75%; 95% CI: 62%–93%) but not statistically significant (p = 0.2) 1‐year survival rates for individuals that were seropositive but not actively infected, when compared to seronegative individuals (88%; 95% CI: 81%–97%). These results collectively suggest that following M. ovipneumoniae introduction, bighorn sheep populations in New Mexico could be limited by lamb survival.

Technical Options for Body Weight Estimation: Prediction of Body Weights of Indigenous Sheep Populations from Their Linear Body Measurements

Technical Options for Body Weight Estimation: Prediction of Body Weights of Indigenous Sheep Populations from Their Linear Body Measurements

Comparative analysis of marker selection approaches for population stratification in Garole and Deccani sheep

The present study was undertaken to identify ancestry-informative single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers from medium-density Ovine50K genotyping data for the development of low-density SNP panels in Deccani and Garole sheep breeds of India. These panels can be used for efficient and cost-effective genetic analysis and breed identification. Genotyping data from 49 individuals (25 Garole, and 24 Deccani) was analyzed using the OvineSNP50 BeadChip array. Quality control measures were applied to ensure data accuracy and improve reliability and reproducibility of results. Admixture analysis was performed to assess genetic structure and identify potential marker sets for low-density panels. Three different methods (distance, frequency, and index) were used to select markers based on their distribution and allele frequencies. The low-density panels were designed at pre-set sizes of 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, and 5000. The results revealed that low-density panels, particularly with 3K and 5K markers, can effectively differentiate between Deccani and Garole sheep. In conclusion, the 0.5K dense SNP panel developed via index method (followed by frequency method) can be recommended for better genomic clustering (~90%) for both the breeds. The developed SNP panels provide a valuable resource for genetic analysis and breed identification in these sheep populations, potentially facilitating conservation efforts and genetic improvement programs.

Design and Testing of a Small-Scale Composting Facility for Sheep Manure Utilizing Aeration and Thermal Treatment

Inner Mongolia has the largest sheep population among China’s provinces, resulting in the production of a substantial amount of sheep manure. If left untreated, this manure can contribute to environmental pollution. However, sheep manure serves a dual purpose: it can be both a pollutant and a valuable source of organic fertilizer. Consequently, there is an urgent need to address the environmental issues arising from manure accumulation and its unused status. In this paper, a viable solution is proposed: the conversion of manure into fertilizer through a composting unit incorporating high-temperature aerobic fermentation technology. This unit, tailored for small farms and individual farmers, integrates critical functions such as ventilation, heating, and turning. Additionally, it boasts excellent thermal insulation, enhancing composting efficiency and enabling precise control over fermentation conditions. This design mitigates heat loss and accelerates maturation, addressing common challenges in traditional composting. The design process encompassed both equipment construction and control systems, with a primary focus on compost fermentation and aeration heating. The components were carefully designed or selected based on theoretical analysis and subsequently validated using simulation software, including EDEM and Fluent. The control system seamlessly integrates a touch screen interface, PLC programming, and control circuits to manage air pumps and electric heaters in response to changes in temperature and oxygen concentration. Furthermore, it controls the motors during the recovery phase. A comprehensive performance evaluation was conducted, revealing notable improvements. Under artificially heated conditions, the maximum temperature of the compost increased by approximately 20 °C, the composting cycle was reduced by roughly 4 days, and the seed germination index (GI) rose by about 9% when compared to natural fermentation. Thus, this device significantly accelerates composting and improves fertilizer quality by increasing the decomposition rate.

Upper respiratory tract detection of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae employing nasopharyngeal swabs

BackgroundFlock-level prevalence and characterization of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae is determined almost exclusively using nasal swabbing followed by molecular detection with either quantitative PCR or multi-locus sequence typing. However, the diagnostic performance and efficiency of swabbing the nasal passage compared to other anatomical locations has not been determined within sheep populations. The goal of this research was to assess the diagnostic capability of nasopharyngeal swabs in comparison to nasal swabs for the detection of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae.ResultsNasal and nasopharyngeal swabs were collected during a controlled exposure study of domestic sheep with Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae. Both swab types were then analyzed via conventional and quantitative PCR. This dataset showed that the use of nasopharyngeal swabs in lieu of nasal swabs resulted in higher sensitivity, reduced inhibition during quantitative PCR, and higher bacterial copy numbers per swab. Moreover, it was demonstrated that diagnostic sensitivity could be further increased during quantitative PCR via ten-fold dilution of the extracted DNA. To confirm these observations in naturally infected animals, we conducted a field study employing a production flock of domestic sheep using both nasal and nasopharyngeal swabbing techniques. Extracted DNA was assessed using the same molecular techniques, where detection of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae was confirmed by sequencing of either the rpoB or 16S rRNA gene. Similar improvements were observed for nasopharyngeal swabs and template treatment methods within the naturally infected flock.ConclusionsResults demonstrate increased diagnostic sensitivity and specificity when sampling with nasopharyngeal swabs as compared to nasal swabs. Therefore, alternate field-testing strategies employing nasopharyngeal swabs should be considered for diagnosis of the presence of M. ovipneumoniae. Importantly, sample treatment following acquisition was found to affect the sensitivity of quantitative PCR, where dilution of eluted DNA template doubled the calculated sensitivity. This demonstrates that, in addition to anatomical location, the presence of inhibitory components in swab extracts also strongly influences diagnostic performance.

Associations of different genotypes with the meat productivity of sheep

Identification of the potential to increasthe agricultural production of farm animals has become possible through the use of genomic selection methods. It is advisable to improve breeding and pedigree qualities of local breeds, since these have the best adaptability to the features of the natural and geographical conditions in a given area. He controlled slaughter of animals with different genotypes allowed us to determine their meat qualities, such as biological value, slaughter yield and slaughter weight. The ratio of slaughter weight and pre‐slaughter weight gives the slaughter yield in percent.PCR (polyamino acid chain reaction) using specific synthesised sets of oligonucleotides in the genotyping of experimental sheep populations was carried out in order to study the allelic variants of the CAST and GH genes.When studying the indices characterising body weight in sheep which have different genotypes, significant increases in the indices could be observed before the periods of driving to summer pastures (17.2 kg) and during lambing (25.8 kg). The lowest indices were noted during driving both from winter pastures to summer pastures and from summer pastures to winter pastures (30.5 kg).In the period before driving, the live weight index was higher in the CASTMM genotype by 5.8 %; upon arrival in the mountains the difference was 6.1 %; during lambing — 4.7 %; before leaving for winter pastures — 8.4 % and upon arrival at winter pastures — 9.5 %.

Deep Ancestral Introgressions between Ovine Species Shape Sheep Genomes via Argali-Mediated Gene Flow.

Previous studies revealed extensive genetic introgression between Ovis species, which affects genetic adaptation and morphological traits. However, the exact evolutionary scenarios underlying the hybridization between sheep and allopatric wild relatives remain unknown. To address this problem, we here integrate the reference genomes of several ovine and caprine species: domestic sheep, argali, bighorn sheep, snow sheep, and domestic goats. Additionally, we use 856 whole genomes representing 169 domestic sheep populations and their six wild relatives: Asiatic mouflon, urial, argali, snow sheep, thinhorn sheep, and bighorn sheep. We implement a comprehensive set of analyses to test introgression among these species. We infer that the argali lineage originated ∼3.08 to 3.35 Mya and hybridized with the ancestor of Pachyceriforms (e.g. bighorn sheep and snow sheep) at ∼1.56 Mya. Previous studies showed apparent introgression from North American Pachyceriforms into the Bashibai sheep, a Chinese native sheep breed, despite of their wide geographic separation. We show here that, in fact, the apparent introgression from the Pachyceriforms into Bashibai can be explained by the old introgression from Pachyceriforms into argali and subsequent recent introgression from argali into Bashibai. Our results illustrate the challenges of estimating complex introgression histories and provide an example of how indirect and direct introgression can be distinguished.

Distribution of genotypes by the growth diferential factor 9 (GDF-9) gene locus in the romanov breed sheep population

The FecG gene, also known as GDF-9 (growth factor differentiation factor 9), plays an important role in regulating reproductive function in mammals. This paper presents the results of a study of a point mutation in the differential growth factor gene in Romanov breed sheep. Mutations in exon 1 of the GDF-9 gene can lead to disturbances in ovarian development and ovulation, resulting in infertility or reduced reproductive capacity in animals. The object of the study was Romanov breed sheep in a sample of 30 individuals. For DNA extraction, venous blood samples were taken from the jugular vein. In Romanov breed sheep for the GDF-9 gene, it was found that at the G1 locus of this gene there are two alleles – G and A. Three genotypes were also identified: GG (254 bp/117 bp), AG (410bp/254/117 bp) and AA (410 bp/410 bp). The observed χ2 criterion was less than expected, therefore, the empirical and theoretical frequencies do not differ significantly, and deviations from the distribution according to the Hardy-Weinberg law are not observed. The observed heterozygosity index (Ho) was 0.27. Allele frequencies were 0,8 for G and 0,2 for A. For genotypes the following were obtained: GG – 0,66, GA – 0,27 and AA – 0,07.It can be noted that the data on the frequencies of alleles and genotypes in the population of Romanov breed sheep differ from the results for the Kulunda fine-wool, Dagestan mountain, Salsk, Lacaune and Merino breeds. The research results can be used to monitor changes in allele frequencies and genotypes in sheep during the selection process.

Molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of ovine herpesvirus-2 in subclinical infections of cattle and sheep.

Ovine herpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2) is the causative agent of malignant catarrhal fever (MCF), a serious and often fatal disease that affects cattle and other ruminants. This study aimed to investigate the molecular epidemiology and genetic diversity of OvHV-2 strains circulating in sheep and cattle populations in the Jammu and Kashmir region of India. Screening of 150 sheep and 57 cattle blood samples revealed the presence of the OvHV-2 polymerase (pol) gene in 8.6% of sheep, 10% of apparently healthy cattle, and 29.7% of cattle exhibiting MCF-like symptoms. The full-length glycoprotein B (gB) gene (2800bp) and an 875bp internal fragment were successfully amplified, cloned, and sequenced from pol-positive samples. Comparative sequence analysis of the deduced gB amino acid sequences identified seven substitutions at positions 278, 341, 390, 440, 468, 539, and 566 compared to reference strains. Phylogenetic analysis based on the gB nucleotide sequences clustered the OvHV-2 strains from this study within the Indian clade, distinct from strains reported in the UK and US. These findings provide insights into the genetic diversity of OvHV-2 strains circulating in Jammu and Kashmir, with the identified mutations potentially influencing virus-host interactions. Further investigations into the functional implications of these mutations are warranted to understand their role in viral pathogenesis and tropism.

Effect of Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptor-1B (BMPR-1B) Gene Variant on Litter Size in Akkaraman Sheep Breed

The BMPR-1B gene, a significant fertility gene, has been examined for its relationship with fertility characteristics in various sheep populations globally. This investigation explored the impact of the BMPR-1B gene on litter size within the Akkaraman sheep population residing in the Elâzığ Region. To locate the FecB gene in Akkaraman sheep, 104 milk samples were collected, and genetic material was isolated using the salting out technique. During the 2021–2022 period, no significant correlations were observed between the genetic make-up of Akkaraman sheep and factors including age, mastitis and disease history, milk yield, birthing type, and the number of births (p > 0.05). However, there was a noteworthy relationship identified between the distribution of genetic make-up and live weight, indicating a potential influence of genetics on the live weight of Akkaraman sheep (p < 0.05). In this study, the BMPR-1B gene determined multiple births and it was determined that Akkaraman sheep were monomorphic in terms of this gene. In light of this information, it was concluded that more comprehensive studies should be carried out regarding this gene determining multiple births in the Akkaraman sheep breed.

The Population History of Domestic Sheep Revealed by Paleogenomes.

Sheep was one of the first domesticated animals in Neolithic West Eurasia. The zooarchaeological record suggests that domestication first took place in Southwest Asia, although much remains unresolved about the precise location(s) and timing(s) of earliest domestication, or the post-domestication history of sheep. Here, we present 24 new partial sheep paleogenomes, including a 13,000-year-old Epipaleolithic Central Anatolian wild sheep, as well as 14 domestic sheep from Neolithic Anatolia, two from Neolithic Iran, two from Neolithic Iberia, three from Neolithic France, and one each from Late Neolithic/Bronze Age Baltic and South Russia, in addition to five present-day Central Anatolian Mouflons and two present-day Cyprian Mouflons. We find that Neolithic European, as well as domestic sheep breeds, are genetically closer to the Anatolian Epipaleolithic sheep and the present-day Anatolian and Cyprian Mouflon than to the Iranian Mouflon. This supports a Central Anatolian source for domestication, presenting strong evidence for a domestication event in SW Asia outside the Fertile Crescent, although we cannot rule out multiple domestication events also within the Neolithic Fertile Crescent. We further find evidence for multiple admixture and replacement events, including one that parallels the Pontic Steppe-related ancestry expansion in Europe, as well as a post-Bronze Age event that appears to have further spread Asia-related alleles across global sheep breeds. Our findings mark the dynamism of past domestic sheep populations in their potential for dispersal and admixture, sometimes being paralleled by their shepherds and in other cases not.

Environmental and additive genetic factors that affect artificial insemination success in Latxa dairy sheep breed

In the Latxa breed, flocks within the breeding program make use of high genetic value rams to inseminate their ewes once per year. Despite the relevance of the insemination results in the genetic progress and on farms’ productivity, external and genetic factors that affect artificial insemination (AI) success have not been up to now explored in this sheep population. For that, 135,351 edited AI records from 63,480 inseminated Latxa Cara Negra from Euskadi ewes, using 853 service rams, collected between 2000 and 2021, were used. The outcome of an AI event was treated as a binary response of either success or failure in becoming pregnant. To identify the environmental factors influencing the AI result, a multiple logistic regression was first calculated on a selection of variables related to the ewes, to the ram, and to other non-sex-specific aspects. With relevant variables detected, a threshold model, including the pedigree information of the inseminated ewes and the service rams, was used to estimate the genetic components of the trait in both sexes. Findings show that the AI success is higher in ewes who had the previous parturition from an AI event, in those with a lambing-AI interval longer than 210d, with 3 years and 2 lambings, with high prolificacy and in those having their first parturition at 1 year of age rather than at 2 or 3 years of age. In counterpart, the higher the milk produced in the nearest record before AI date, the poorer the AI results. Furthermore, relevant variability was linked to the year of insemination, the herd and the technician in charge of the insemination procedure. Regarding genetic parameters, heritability values, on the observable scale, and repeatability were 0.057 ± 0.004 and 0.204±0.007 in females and 0.009 ± 0.037 and 0.032 ± 0.002 in males, respectively. These results evidence that the AI success is under moderately low additive genetic control, with the surrounding environmental variables being the strongest controlling factor. An effort to enhance some farm management practices should be encouraged to efficiently improve reproductive results. Although genetic selection on AI success is viable, the genetic progress may be scarce. An option to improve reproduction by means of selective breeding might be the development of a multi-trait index.

Merinos in Poland – an analysis of breeding condition, selected performance traits and perspectives for the protection of genetic resources in relation to the country’s total sheep population

The purpose of the study was to analyse the breeding condition and performance traits of merino sheep belonging to three breeds in 2008-2022. The experimental material consisted of data derived from annual reports published by the Polish Sheep Breeding Association on breeding of three merino breeds: Polish Merino, Coloured Merino, old-type Polish Merino and data on the number and distribution of flocks, as well as data on the implementation of the sheep genetic resources protection programme from the database of the National Research Institute of Animal Production covering the period of the last 15 years. Analysing the population size over the last 15 years, significant changes were observed in the breed structure of the Merino sheep population. The implementation of conservation programmes and the opportunity to obtain subsidies for conservation breeds have had an impact on the breeding of these breeds in our country. Currently, the largest share of the merino sheep population is represented by the old-type Polish merino. Merino breeding has a regional and large-scale profile, concentrated in the historical areas of their maintenance, in Wielkopolska and Kujawy, usually in flocks of about 100 dams. Reproduction rates expressed by maternal prolificacy were found to be in line with the breed pattern. The Polish merino and the old-type Polish merino were distinguished by similar parameters of reproductive traits and higher fertility as well as rearing indices than those of the coloured merino. The coloured merino is the breed with the highest fertility and breeding performance. Body weight of lambs was higher for the white varieties. However, reproductive and meat performance indices show the potential of merino sheep in the context of lamb production, which is currently the main focus of sheep production in Poland.

Resequencing reveals population structure and genetic diversity in Tibetan sheep

BackgroundThe Tibetan sheep is one of the three major primitive sheep breeds in China, representing a unique and high-quality genetic resource in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and neighboring high-altitude regions, exhibiting exceptional adaptability to high-altitude climatic environments. However, research on the genetic relationships among different populations of Tibetan sheep at the whole-genome level remains insufficient. This study aims to explore the population structure and historical dynamics among 11 Tibetan sheep populations, accurately assess the genetic diversity within the populations, and providing a theoretical basis for the development of targeted genetic breeding strategies for Tibetan sheep.ResultsIn this study, a total of 10,884,454 high-quality SNPs were obtained. All Tibetan sheep populations exhibited varying degrees of linkage disequilibrium, with similar decay rates; among them, the WT population showed the fastest decay, while the TS population exhibited the slowest decay rate. Analyses using Tajima’s D and π indicated that the genetic diversity levels of the Tibetan sheep populations are generally low. Fst results revealed that most populations exhibited moderate to low levels of genetic differentiation. The effective population size among Tibetan sheep populations showed an increasing trend over time. The evolutionary relationships among Tibetan sheep populations reflect the correlation between their geographical locations and genomic genetic distances, while also indirectly confirming the impact of historical activities such as early human migration, admixture, fusion, and expansion on the population sizes and distributions of Tibetan sheep.ConclusionsThe results indicate that the genetic diversity levels and genetic differentiation among Tibetan sheep populations are relatively low. In this study, we identified the genetic characteristics of Tibetan sheep populations, which exhibit low levels of diversity, genetic differentiation, and a strong population structure. A deeper genomic exploration of the population structure and diversity status of Tibetan sheep populations will provide theoretical support for subsequent genetic breeding and diversity conservation efforts.

Combined genomic evaluation of Merino and Dohne Merino Australian sheep populations.

The Dohne Merino sheep was introduced to Australia from South Africa in the 1990s. It was primarily used in crosses with the Merino breed sheep to improve on attributes such as reproduction and carcass composition. Since then, this breed has continued to expand in Australia but the number of genotyped and phenotyped purebred individuals remains low, calling into question the accuracy of genomic selection. The Australian Merino, on the other hand, has a substantial reference population in a separate genomic evaluation (MERINOSELECT). Combining these resources could fast track the impact of genomic selection on the smaller breed, but the efficacy of this needs to be investigated. This study was based on a dataset of 53,663 genotypes and more than 2 million phenotypes. Its main objectives were (1) to characterize the genetic structure of Merino and Dohne Merino breeds, (2) to investigate the utility of combining their evaluations in terms of quality of predictions, and (3) to compare several methods of genetic grouping. We used the 'LR-method' (Linear Regression) for these assessments. We found very low Fst values (below 0.048) between the different Merino lines and Dohne breed considered in our study, indicating very low genetic differentiation. Principal component analysis revealed three distinct groups, identified as purebred Merino, purebred Dohne, and crossbred animals. Considering the whole population in the reference led to the best quality of predictions and the largest increase in accuracy (from 'LR-method') from pedigree to genomic-based evaluations: 0.18, 0.14 and 0.16 for yearling fibre diameter (YFD), yearling greasy fleece weight (YGFW) and yearling liveweight (YWT), respectively. Combined genomic evaluations showed higher accuracies than the evaluation based on the Dohne reference only (accuracies increased by 0.16, 0.06 and 0.07 for YFD, YGFW, and YWT, respectively). For the combined genomic evaluations, metafounder models were more accurate than Unknown Parent Groups models (accuracies increased by 0.04, 0.04 and 0.06 for YFD, YGFW and YWT, respectively). We found promising results for the future transition of the Dohne breed from pedigree to genomic selection. A combined genomic evaluation, with the MERINOSELECT evaluation in addition to using metafounders, is expected to enhance the quality of genomic predictions for the Dohne Merino breed.

SNP Markers: Analysis of Genetic Diversity and Identification of Genomic Regions in Pantaneiro Sheep and Texel Sheep Under Natural Selection.

Sheep farming is growing substantially in Brazil, driven by the increasing demand for sheep meat. This rising demand has heightened the focus on sheep, making them the subject of numerous studies, including those centered on genetic analysis. A notable research area involves Pantaneiro sheep, which are indigenous to the Pantanal region of Mato Grosso do Sul and other locations. These sheep are of particular interest due to their adaptation to the unique environmental conditions of the Pantanal, a floodplain characterized by its distinctive climatic and ecological features. This study primarily aimed to conduct a comprehensive genomic analysis of Pantanal sheep subjected to natural selection within the Pantanal region and compare different sample herds using methodological approaches. Genomic analysis was performed to examine genetic diversity and structure via GGP50K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis. A sample of 192 adult sheep over 4 years old was categorized into seven populations based on location: Six populations comprised Pantaneiro sheep with one Texel sheep population. Outlier SNPs were assessed to pinpoint regions under natural selection, with comparisons between the Pantaneiro and the commercial Texel breeds. All data analyses were conducted using the R programming language, employing specialized genetic analysis packages. These outlier SNPs were detected using three methodologies, PCAdapt, OutFLANK, and FDIST2/fsthet, with false discovery rate (FDR) corrections applied to ensure result accuracy. Each method was evaluated, and the genes associated with the identified SNPs were cross-referenced with the most recent sheep genome database, focusing specifically on genes with known phenotypic traits. Analysis of a sample comprising 192 adult individuals revealed greater genetic variability within the Pantaneiro breed than the Texel breed, highlighting the adaptation of the Pantaneiro breed to the unique Pantanal environment. Conversely, the Texel breed exhibited significantly higher levels of inbreeding, attributed to its controlled breeding practices. Outlier SNPs were detected with notable variation across different methodologies, underscoring the importance of FDR correction in ensuring the reliability and concentration of identified outliers. These outlier SNPs facilitated the identification of genes associated with key phenotypic traits, including hair growth, tissue regeneration, pigmentation regulation, and muscle capacity. The integrated analysis of methodologies demonstrated significant efficiency in elucidating the genomic landscape of Pantanal sheep, highlighting the genetic richness inherent in sheep from the Pantanal region of Mato Grosso do Sul. The techniques employed effectively identified outlier SNPs associated with phenotypically relevant genes. These findings, which reveal greater genetic variability and adaptability, underscore the potential of these animals for future research and their significance within Brazilian sheep farming. The Texel breed served as a valuable comparative group, illustrating the limited genetic variability in highly controlled breeding environments.

Plant community‐specific greening patterns predict population size increases in a temperate herbivore

Climate change‐driven impacts on vegetation productivity have been shown to drive mammalian herbivore population dynamics in Arctic and alpine environments. However, there is less evidence for temperate systems. To address this, we examined the contribution of increasing plant biomass in different vegetation communities (measured by NDVI, normalised difference vegetation index) and winter weather on the observed long‐term upward trend in the population of the Soay sheep of Hirta, St Kilda, UK. We found that biomass had increased in all vegetation communities present and increased the fastest in vegetation types preferred by the sheep. Specifically, those communities with high specific leaf area and Ellenberg's N, low leaf dry matter content. Peak summer NDVI and either winter average wind speed or winter North Atlantic Oscillation data added to the variance explained by a simple density dependence model of yearly sheep population growth rates. The highest explanatory power was found for preferred vegetation types including maritime cliff communities dominated by Plantago species, but also for both inaccessible (Rumex acetosa‐dominated) or unpreferred (Eriophorum vaginatum‐ or Sphagnum‐dominated) communities where seasonal variation more closely reflects productivity due to minimal grazing. Although the climate is getting windier and wetter, it is also getting warmer allowing increased plant productivity and this appears to be behind the long‐term increases in the Soay sheep population. Our study indicates that analysing key vegetation communities may reveal these links better than using landscape‐level averages, and that oceanic‐temperate systems may show similar climate‐driven herbivore population trends to those reported in Arctic and alpine systems.

Genetic Diversity and Selection Signal Analysis of Hu Sheep Based on SNP50K BeadChip.

This research is designed to examine the genetic diversity and kinship among Hu sheep, as well as to discover genes associated with crucial economic traits. A selection of 50 unrelated adult male Hu sheep underwent genotyping with the SNP50K BeadChip. Seven indicators of genetic diversity were assessed based on high-quality SNP data: effective population size (Ne), polymorphic information content (PIC), polymorphic marker ratio (PN), expected heterozygosity (He), observed heterozygosity (Ho), effective number of alleles, and minor allele frequency (MAF). Plink software was employed to compute the IBS genetic distance matrix and detect runs of homozygosity (ROHs), while the G matrix and principal component analysis were performed using GCTA software. Selective sweep analysis was carried out using ROH, Pi, and Tajima's D methodologies. This study identified a total of 64,734 SNPs, of which 56,522 SNPs remained for downstream analysis after quality control. The population displayed relatively high genetic diversity. The 50 Hu sheep were ultimately grouped into 12 distinct families, with families 6, 8, and 10 having the highest numbers of individuals, each consisting of 6 sheep. Furthermore, a total of 294 ROHs were detected, with the majority having lengths between 1 and 5 Mb, and the inbreeding coefficient FROH was 0.01. In addition, 41, 440, and 994 candidate genes were identified by ROH, Pi, and Tajima's D methods, respectively, with 3 genes overlapping (BMPR1B, KCNIP4, and FAM13A). These results offer valuable insights for future Hu sheep breeding, genetic assessment, and population management.

Practical Management of Sheep Farming in Eastern Algeria: Situation, Constraints and Perspectives

Successful sheep farming requires hands-on management and a thorough understanding of the factors that influence it. This necessitates a practical, well-organized approach to ensure the flock's health, productivity, and profitability. Various factors, such as climate, available resources, and management strategies, play a crucial role in determining the success of sheep farming. This study, conducted in the Batna region of Algeria, aimed to assess sheep breeding practices and production performance through a questionnaire distributed to farmers and veterinarians. The study encompassed 14,124 sheep, including 9,435 ewes, from 33 Batna region farms to evaluate production and reproduction performance. The findings revealed that the Ouled Djellal breed is the most prevalent, comprising 61.02% of the sheep population. The results indicated that sheep farming in the region largely relies on traditional extensive grazing systems. It is worth noting that breeding practices have not consistently followed recommended guidelines, as evidenced by a suboptimal sex ratio of 36.28. Additionally, only 21.94% of breeders had employed heat synchronization methods, and artificial insemination was not utilized. The low adoption of artificial insemination is primarily attributed to factors, including a lack of knowledge regarding reproductive management, along with challenges related to illiteracy and limited access to essential resources. The analysis further demonstrated that all categories of sheep were profitable; however, profitability was influenced by factors, such as environmental conditions, feed availability, and the age of the animals. The study underscored significant findings, including the prevalence of the Ouled Djellal breed and the limited use of advanced breeding practices, such as artificial insemination, in the Batna region. The value of the current study lies in its comprehensive examination of traditional sheep farming practices and its recommendations for enhancing productivity. These include improving management practices, increasing access to resources, and promoting genetic improvement by adopting advanced breeding technologies.