Whole genome sequencing informs SNP-based breeding strategies to safeguard genetic diversity in captive African lions.

IF 2.6 2区农林科学 Q1 VETERINARY SCIENCES

Frontiers in Veterinary Science Pub Date : 2025-04-16 eCollection Date: 2025-01-01 DOI:10.3389/fvets.2025.1577726

Wanzhao Chen, Ronghe Xing, Panpan Xia, Yujie Yang, Chao Ma, Lining Xia

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction: African lions (Panthera leo) face severe population declines, making captive breeding programs essential for conservation. However, genetic data scarcity in such programs elevates inbreeding risks and threatens genetic diversity.

Methods: Using next-generation sequencing (NGS), we analyzed genome-wide genetic markers from 10 captive African lions at Xinjiang Tianshan Wildlife Park. We identified high-confidence SNPs, evaluated population structure, and calculated kinship/inbreeding coefficients alongside identity by descent (IBD) and identity by state (IBS) analyses.

Results: We identified 5,051,795 high-confidence SNPs. The population contained distinct genetic subgroups. Six lion pairs exhibited elevated kinship coefficients, with one individual showing inbreeding signs. We developed a science-driven breeding program based on population genetic structure, identity by descent (IBD) analysis, and Identity by State (IBS) analysis. This program prioritizes pairings with low kinship while maintaining a balanced ancestral lineage.

Discussion: This study underscores the importance of genomic tools in managing captive populations, offering actionable insights to mitigate inbreeding risks and improve long-term viability. This approach offers a model for optimizing breeding strategies in other endangered species conservation efforts.

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全基因组测序为保护圈养非洲狮的遗传多样性提供了基于snp的育种策略。

简介：非洲狮（Panthera leo）面临严重的数量下降，使圈养繁殖计划对保护至关重要。然而，遗传数据的缺乏增加了近亲繁殖的风险，并威胁到遗传多样性。方法：采用新一代测序（NGS）技术，对新疆天山野生动物园圈养的10头非洲狮进行全基因组遗传标记分析。我们确定了高置信度的snp，评估了种群结构，并计算了亲属/近交系数，同时进行了血统认同（IBD）和国家认同（IBS）分析。结果：我们鉴定出5,051,795个高置信度snp。这个群体包含不同的遗传亚群。6对狮子表现出较高的亲缘关系系数，其中1对狮子表现出近亲繁殖的迹象。基于种群遗传结构、血统同一性（IBD）分析和国家同一性（IBS）分析，制定了以科学为导向的育种方案。该计划优先考虑亲属关系较低的配对，同时保持平衡的祖先血统。讨论：本研究强调了基因组工具在管理圈养种群中的重要性，为减轻近亲繁殖风险和提高长期生存能力提供了可行的见解。该方法为其他濒危物种保护工作的优化繁殖策略提供了一个模型。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Frontiers in Veterinary Science Veterinary-General Veterinary

CiteScore

4.80

自引率

9.40%

发文量

1870

审稿时长

14 weeks

期刊介绍： Frontiers in Veterinary Science is a global, peer-reviewed, Open Access journal that bridges animal and human health, brings a comparative approach to medical and surgical challenges, and advances innovative biotechnology and therapy. Veterinary research today is interdisciplinary, collaborative, and socially relevant, transforming how we understand and investigate animal health and disease. Fundamental research in emerging infectious diseases, predictive genomics, stem cell therapy, and translational modelling is grounded within the integrative social context of public and environmental health, wildlife conservation, novel biomarkers, societal well-being, and cutting-edge clinical practice and specialization. Frontiers in Veterinary Science brings a 21st-century approach—networked, collaborative, and Open Access—to communicate this progress and innovation to both the specialist and to the wider audience of readers in the field. Frontiers in Veterinary Science publishes articles on outstanding discoveries across a wide spectrum of translational, foundational, and clinical research. The journal''s mission is to bring all relevant veterinary sciences together on a single platform with the goal of improving animal and human health.