Whole-Genome Sequencing Reveals Genetic Diversity and Structure of Taiwan Commercial Red-Feathered Country Chickens.
Journal
Animals
Journal Volume
16
Journal Issue
2
Start Page
Article Number 286
ISSN
2076-2615
Date Issued
2026-01-16
Author(s)
Abstract
Whole-genome sequencing is a powerful approach for exploring genomic diversity in livestock species. Chickens () are an important food source worldwide, and in Taiwan, poultry production contributes substantially to the livestock industry. Taiwan's commercial red- and black-feathered country chickens dominate this category and play a crucial role in local poultry production. However, fundamental genomic information on their population structure remains limited. To address this gap, this study generated whole-genome sequencing data from red-feathered country chickens originating from four major breeding farms. Genetic diversity analyses revealed uniformly low genetic diversity across all farms. Runs of homozygosity (ROH) analyses indicated predominantly historical inbreeding, with farm-specific differences in recent inbreeding patterns. Population structure analyses revealed clear clustering of individuals according to farm origin, indicating distinct line structures among breeding farms. These results provide the first comprehensive genomic overview of Taiwan's commercial red-feather country chickens and offer valuable reference information for future breeding strategies and the development of new lines.
Subjects
Taiwan commercial red-feathered country chicken
genetic diversity
population structure
whole-genome sequencing
Publisher
Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
Type
journal article