Genetics and Breeding in Dogs: From Biodiversity to Pathology

A special issue of Veterinary Sciences (ISSN 2306-7381). This special issue belongs to the section "Veterinary Biomedical Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 August 2023) | Viewed by 2737

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Via Palatucci, 98168 Messina, ME, Italy
Interests: companion animals; endangered local breeds
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Guest Editor
Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Production, Landscape and Energy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
Interests: dogs; biodiversity; phylogeny; breeding; genomics; coat color; new phenotypes

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
Interests: dogs; biodiversity; genetic pathologies; genomics; coat color

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The last few decades have seen incredible advances in the field of genomics, with the development and enhancement of genomic technologies and an increasing interest of the research in this area. The first dog genome sequence assembly was released only three years after the human one, in 2004, and since then, researchers have had the opportunity to shed light on their evolution, domestication, biodiversity, and health.

Therefore, we are pleased to invite you to submit original research in the field of dog genetics, aimed at the investigation of the heritability and/or the genomic regions associated to pathologies, behavior, or other interest traits (coat colors, morphological traits, breed specialization, etc.); the evaluation of the genetic diversity of populations, either local or internationally diffused; and the study of domestication and breed development and history.

This will increase knowledge about the genetic mechanisms underlying morbid and interest traits, thus contributing to dog welfare. Moreover, studying the history and the genetic diversity of the breeds and populations would be of help in their management and conservation. In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Luigi Liotta
Prof. Dr. Paola Crepaldi
Dr. Arianna Bionda
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • biodiversity
  • local breeds
  • genomics
  • dogs
  • breeding and conservation
  • inherited diseases
  • new phenotypes

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

12 pages, 1398 KiB  
Article
Selection Signatures in Italian Livestock Guardian and Herding Shepherd Dogs
by Arianna Bionda, Matteo Cortellari, Daniele Bigi, Vincenzo Chiofalo, Luigi Liotta and Paola Crepaldi
Vet. Sci. 2023, 10(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10010003 - 21 Dec 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1911
Abstract
Livestock guardian (LGD) and herding shepherd (HSD) dogs have distinct morphological and behavioural characteristics, long selected by farmers and breeders, to accomplish different tasks. This study aimed to find the genomic regions that best differentiate and characterise Italian LGD and HSD. Genomic data [...] Read more.
Livestock guardian (LGD) and herding shepherd (HSD) dogs have distinct morphological and behavioural characteristics, long selected by farmers and breeders, to accomplish different tasks. This study aimed to find the genomic regions that best differentiate and characterise Italian LGD and HSD. Genomic data of 158 dogs of four LGD and five HSD breeds, obtained with the 170K canine SNPchip, were collected. The two groups were compared using FST and XP-EHH analyses, identifying regions containing 29 genes. Moreover, 16 islands of runs of homozygosity were found in LGD, and 15 in HSD; 4 of them were partially shared. Among the genes found that better differentiated HSD and LGD, several were associated with dog domestication and behavioural aspects; particularly, MSRB3 and LLPH were linked to herding behaviour in previous studies. Others, DYSK, MAP2K5, and RYR, were related to body size and muscle development. Prick ears prevailed in sampled HSD, and drop ears in LGD; this explains the identification of WIF1 and MSRB3 genes. Unexpectedly, a number of genes were also associated with eye development and functionality. These results shed further light on the differences that human selection introduced in dogs aimed at different duties, even in a limited geographic area such as Italy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics and Breeding in Dogs: From Biodiversity to Pathology)
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