Cendron Filippo, Persichilli Christian, Senczuk Gabriele, Perini Francesco, Lasagna Emiliano, Cassandro Martino, Penasa Mauro
Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, 35020, Legnaro, Italy.
Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, 86100, Campobasso, Italy.
Genet Sel Evol. 2025 Jun 10;57(1):30. doi: 10.1186/s12711-025-00980-4.
Chickens, domesticated around 3500 years ago, are crucial in global agriculture, resulting in hundreds of breeds worldwide. In Europe, intensive breeding has led to the creation of numerous distinct commercial lines at the expense of local breeds. As a result, local breeds, which are not subject to rigorous selective practices, face higher risks of genetic problems due to a narrower genetic base. Modern genotyping and bioinformatic approaches allow detailed genetic analysis. This study offers a comprehensive genetic overview of Italian chicken biodiversity compared to global breeds, emphasizing the importance of preserving local genetic diversity.
Hundred and ninety-two chicken breeds from various countries were analyzed, with Italian breeds being highly represented. Genetic relationships showed that Italian breeds clustered with some European, African, and Asian breeds. The ADMIXTURE analysis identified 25 distinct populations and highlighted genetic similarities of certain Italian breeds with German, French, and Swiss ones. Genetic diversity was high in African and some Asian and European breeds, with Italian breeds exhibiting moderate diversity and variability. The TreeMix analysis revealed significant migration events and evolutionary clustering. The Italian breeds had close genetic ties and some highlighted evidence of genetic introgression from common ancestors.
Italian chicken breeds have significant genetic relationships with European, Asian, and African breeds, reflecting historical trade and breeding exchanges. Southern Italian breeds form a distinct genetic group, highlighting regional uniqueness. Overall, the research points out the need for conservation strategies to preserve genetic diversity and account for historical and contemporary gene flows, ensuring the sustainability of Italian chicken biodiversity in the face of environmental and agricultural challenges.
鸡大约在3500年前被驯化，在全球农业中至关重要，全球有数百个品种。在欧洲，集约化养殖导致了众多独特商业品系的产生，却牺牲了当地品种。因此，未经过严格选育的当地品种，由于遗传基础较窄，面临更高的遗传问题风险。现代基因分型和生物信息学方法使得详细的遗传分析成为可能。本研究提供了与全球品种相比意大利鸡生物多样性的全面遗传概述，强调了保护当地遗传多样性的重要性。
分析了来自不同国家的192个鸡品种，其中意大利品种占比很高。遗传关系表明，意大利品种与一些欧洲、非洲和亚洲品种聚类在一起。ADMIXTURE分析确定了25个不同的群体，并突出了某些意大利品种与德国、法国和瑞士品种的遗传相似性。非洲以及一些亚洲和欧洲品种的遗传多样性较高，意大利品种表现出中等程度的多样性和变异性。TreeMix分析揭示了显著的迁移事件和进化聚类。意大利品种具有密切的遗传关系，一些品种有来自共同祖先的基因渗入的明显证据。
意大利鸡品种与欧洲、亚洲和非洲品种有显著的遗传关系，反映了历史上的贸易和育种交流。意大利南部的品种形成了一个独特的遗传群体，突出了地区独特性。总体而言，该研究指出需要制定保护策略以保护遗传多样性，并考虑历史和当代的基因流动，确保意大利鸡生物多样性在面对环境和农业挑战时的可持续性。
