Identification of Genomic Signatures in Bullmastiff Dogs Using Composite Selection Signals Analysis of 23 Purebred Clades

Wei-Tse Hsu; Peter Williamson; Mehar Singh Khatkar

doi:10.3390/ani13071149

Identification of Genomic Signatures in Bullmastiff Dogs Using Composite Selection Signals Analysis of 23 Purebred Clades

Animals (Basel). 2023 Mar 24;13(7):1149. doi: 10.3390/ani13071149.

Authors

Wei-Tse Hsu¹, Peter Williamson¹, Mehar Singh Khatkar^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
² School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia.

Abstract

Dog breeds represent canine sub-populations with distinctive phenotypic features and limited genetic diversity. We have established a resource to study breed-specific genetic diversity. Utilising genetic resources within our laboratory biobank, public domain genotype data and the phylogenetic framework of 23 breed clades, the primary objective for this study was to identify genomic regions that differentiate the Bullmastiff breed. Through application of a composite index analysis (CSS), genomic signatures were identified in Bullmastiffs when compared to the formative breeds, Mastiffs and Bulldogs, and to 22 other breed groups. Significant regions were identified on 15 chromosomes, with the most differentiated regions found on CFA1, CFA9, and CFA18. These regions may reflect genetic drift following establishment of the breed or the effects of selective breeding during development of the modern Bullmastiff. This was supported by analysis of genes from the identified genomic regions, including 458 genes from the multi-clade analysis, which revealed enriched pathways that may be related to characteristic traits and distinct morphology of the breed. The study demonstrates the utility of the CSS method in breed-specific genome analysis and advances our understanding of genetic diversity in Bullmastiff dogs.

Keywords: breed; canine; diversity; genome; phenotype; selection.

Grants and funding

W-T.H. was a University of Sydney International Postgraduate Scholar. This work was supported in part by a grant from the Australian Canine Research Foundation (P.W.), The Maple Simmons Donation and donations from owners of Australian Bullmastiff dogs.