Genome-Wide Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Local Sudanese Sheep Populations Revealed by Whole-Genome Sequencing

Local Sudanese sheep populations inhabiting diverse environmental conditions and holding opposing morphologies provide opportunities for molecular-genetic research. Characterizing their genome is crucial sustainable breeding improvement targeting favorable genes in programs. However, the of these populations, which comprises several subtypes, remains uncharacterized using whole-genome sequence data. This study aimed to elucidate genome-wide genetic diversity population structure 11 local namely, Hammari, Kabbashi, Meidobe, Ashgar, Dubasi, Watish, Bega, Naili, Fulani, Zagawi, Garag. Ninety whole blood samples were collected, we extracted DNA a Qiagen DNeasy® extraction kit. We used Illumina HiSeq 2000 platform all samples. included data three Ethiopian (Doyogena, Kefis, Gafera) one Libyan (Libyan Barbary) infer relationships from continental perspective. A total 44.8 million bi-allelic autosomal SNPs detected; 28.5% 63.3% occur introns intergenic regions, respectively. The mean ranged 0.276 Garag 0.324 Kabbashi populations. lowest FST estimates observed between Ashgar highest Bega Fulani principal component analyses indicated separate groups categorized following tail morphotype, geographical distribution, subtype. thin-tailed exhibited independent clustering fat-tailed sheep. also distinct present study’s findings demonstrated components related subtype clear signature admixture was among studied