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Cited by 87Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestockGenetic Mapping and Diversity in Plants and AnimalsAnimal Genetics and Reproduction

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Genetics of the phenotypic evolution in sheep: a molecular look at diversity-driving genes

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Kalds, Peter, Zhou, Shiwei, Gao, Yawei, Cai, Bei, Huang, Shuhong, Chen, Yulin, Wang, Xiaolong·2022·Genetics Selection Evolution
DOI 10.1186/s12711-022-00753-3PMC PMC9463822
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Abstract

Background: After domestication, the evolution of phenotypically-varied sheep breeds has generated rich biodiversity. This wide phenotypic variation arises as a result of hidden genomic changes that range from a single nucleotide to several thousands of nucleotides. Thus, it is of interest and significance to reveal and understand the genomic changes underlying the phenotypic variation of sheep breeds in order to drive selection towards economically important traits. Review: Various traits contribute to the emergence of variation in sheep phenotypic characteristics, including coat color, horns, tail, wool, ears, udder, vertebrae, among others. The genes that determine most of these phenotypic traits have been investigated, which has generated knowledge regarding the genetic determinism of several agriculturally-relevant traits in sheep. In this review, we discuss the genomic knowledge that has emerged in the past few decades regarding the phenotypic traits in sheep, and our ultimate aim is to encourage its practical application in sheep breeding. In addition, in order to expand the current understanding of the sheep genome, we shed light on research gaps that require further investigation. Conclusions: Although significant research efforts have been conducted in the past few decades, several aspects of the sheep genome remain unexplored. For the full utilization of the current knowledge of the sheep genome, a wide practical application is still required in order to boost sheep productive performance and contribute to the generation of improved sheep breeds. The accumulated knowledge on the sheep genome will help advance and strengthen sheep breeding programs to face future challenges in the sector, such as climate change, global human population growth, and the increasing demand for products of animal origin.

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Figures

Fig. 1 Phenotype variation in sheep breeds. A representative example of phenotypic diversity in the Chinese sheep population (approximately 42 different indigenous breeds). Moreover, several imported sheep breeds (approximately 8) can be found in China, and over 21 improved and crossed breeds were generated by breeding local and imported breeds to yield multipurpose breeds for improved meat and wool production, as well as other productive traits. Images used herein were adapted with permission from Animal Genetic Resources in China: Sheep and Goats [217]
Fig. 1 Phenotype variation in sheep breeds. A representative example of phenotypic diversity in the Chinese sheep population (approximately 42 different indigenous breeds). Moreover, several imported sheep breeds (approximately 8) can be found in China, and over 21 improved and crossed breeds were generated by breeding local and imported breeds to yield multipurpose breeds for improved meat and wool production, as well as other productive traits. Images used herein were adapted with permission from Animal Genetic Resources in China: Sheep and Goats [217]CC BY · PubMed Central
Fig. 2 Phenotype variation in sheep tails. Representative examples of common sheep tail patterns. The figure was conceived by Peter Kalds and designed by Guangyuan Cao
Fig. 2 Phenotype variation in sheep tails. Representative examples of common sheep tail patterns. The figure was conceived by Peter Kalds and designed by Guangyuan CaoCC BY · PubMed Central
Fig. 3 Phenotype variation in sheep caudal vertebrae. Representative examples of caudal vertebrae among Chinese sheep breeds. From up to bottom, Tibetan (thin/short tail), Hu (fat/short tail), Lanping Black-bone (thin/moderate length tail), Tong (fat/long tail), and Tan sheep (fat/long tail)
Fig. 3 Phenotype variation in sheep caudal vertebrae. Representative examples of caudal vertebrae among Chinese sheep breeds. From up to bottom, Tibetan (thin/short tail), Hu (fat/short tail), Lanping Black-bone (thin/moderate length tail), Tong (fat/long tail), and Tan sheep (fat/long tail)CC BY · PubMed Central
Fig. 4 Phenotype variation in sheep horns. a Polled phenotype, b scurred phenotype, c horned phenotype (curled tightly close to the face), d horned phenotype (spiral and horizontal extension; found in Chinese Tibetan sheep), and e horned phenotype (multi-spiral and up-forwarded; found in Hungarian Racka sheep). Photo credits and courtesies are shown in Additional file 2: Table S14
Fig. 4 Phenotype variation in sheep horns. a Polled phenotype, b scurred phenotype, c horned phenotype (curled tightly close to the face), d horned phenotype (spiral and horizontal extension; found in Chinese Tibetan sheep), and e horned phenotype (multi-spiral and up-forwarded; found in Hungarian Racka sheep). Photo credits and courtesies are shown in Additional file 2: Table S14CC BY · PubMed Central
Fig. 5 Phenotype of Soay sheep at different developmental stages. Soay sheep are a well-studied sheep population which have significantly contributed to the understanding of the genomic background of various important phenotypic traits. Photo credits are shown in Additional file 2: Table S14
Fig. 5 Phenotype of Soay sheep at different developmental stages. Soay sheep are a well-studied sheep population which have significantly contributed to the understanding of the genomic background of various important phenotypic traits. Photo credits are shown in Additional file 2: Table S14CC BY · PubMed Central
Fig. 6 Polyceraty (multi-horned phenotype) in sheep. Representative examples of different sheep breeds. Photo credits are shown in Additional file 2: Table S14
Fig. 6 Polyceraty (multi-horned phenotype) in sheep. Representative examples of different sheep breeds. Photo credits are shown in Additional file 2: Table S14CC BY · PubMed Central
Fig. 7 An example of a sheep population from the United Kingdom with different horn patterns. Polledness (hornlessness), hornedness (a pair of horns), and polyceraty (multi-hornedness; more than a pair of horns) are shown. Figure copyright and published with the consent of Fiona Osbaldstone (fi@fionaosbaldstoneillustrator.co.uk)
Fig. 7 An example of a sheep population from the United Kingdom with different horn patterns. Polledness (hornlessness), hornedness (a pair of horns), and polyceraty (multi-hornedness; more than a pair of horns) are shown. Figure copyright and published with the consent of Fiona Osbaldstone (fi@fionaosbaldstoneillustrator.co.uk)CC BY · PubMed Central
Fig. 8 Other phenotypic traits in sheep. Representative examples of a dewlaps, b dropped ears, c pricked ears, d long ears, e short ears, f Roman noses, g curly fleeces, h manes, and i wattles. Photo credits and courtesies are shown in Additional file 2: Table S14
Fig. 8 Other phenotypic traits in sheep. Representative examples of a dewlaps, b dropped ears, c pricked ears, d long ears, e short ears, f Roman noses, g curly fleeces, h manes, and i wattles. Photo credits and courtesies are shown in Additional file 2: Table S14CC BY · PubMed Central

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Citations

Cites

Show all 362 references

Research works printed but not linked: 7

  1. Ryder ML. Fleece colour in sheep and its inheritance. Anim Breed Abstr. 1980;48:305–24.
  2. Dýrmundsson ÓR. Four-hornedness; a rare peculiarity still found in Icelandic sheep. Icelandic Sheep Breeders North Am Newsl. 2005;9:6–8.
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Metadata

Authors
Kalds, P., Zhou, S., Gao, Y., Cai, B., Huang, S., Chen, Y., & Wang, X.
Affiliations
  • Arish University (EG)
  • Northwest A&F University (CN)
  • Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (CN)
Corresponding author
  • Chen, Yulin
  • Wang, Xiaolong
ORCID
Venue
Genetics Selection Evolution
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2022-09-09
Volume
54
Issue
1
Pages
61-61
ISSN
  • 0999-193X (ISSN-L)
  • 1297-9686
DOI
10.1186/s12711-022-00753-3
PMC
PMC9463822
OpenAlex
W4295031434
Cited by
85
References
362
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 25 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 1
FWCI
2.73
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Genetics Selection Evolution (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • HAL (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • Key Technologies Research and Development Program (2018YFD0502100)
  • China Agriculture Research System (CARS-39-12)
  • Local Grants (NXTS2018-001, 2018KJXX-009)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic Mapping and Diversity in Plants and Animals
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Animal Genetics and Reproduction
Keywords
sheep, phenotypic variability, sheep breeds, coat color, wool traits, udder traits, ear traits, sheep genome, sheep breeding, domestication
MeSH terms
Domestication, Animals, Humans, Mammary Glands, Animal, Nucleotides, Phenotype, Sheep, Wool, Genomics

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