Development of an SNP-based parentage verification panel for lovebirds

Area of Science:

• Avian genetics
• Molecular biology
• Animal breeding

Background:

• Lovebirds (Agapornis) are popular pets, but breeders lack molecular tools for parentage verification, relying solely on pedigree records.
• The absence of genetic testing hinders accurate breeding selection and population management in Agapornis species.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a molecular tool for accurate parentage verification in the genus Agapornis.
• To establish a robust SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) panel for reliable genetic identification of lovebird parentage.

Main Methods:

• Whole-genome sequencing of Agapornis roseicollis parents to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).
• Development and filtering of SNP panels based on amplification success, minor allele frequency (MAF), and observed heterozygosity (H_O).
• Validation of SNP panels using known families across seven Agapornis species to determine exclusion power.

Main Results:

• Over 1.6 million SNPs were identified, leading to the development of a 262-SNP panel suitable for all tested species.
• A 195-SNP panel with MAF and H_O values >0.1 demonstrated an average parentage exclusion probability of 99.9%.
• This 195-SNP panel is proposed as a routine tool for Agapornis parentage verification.

Conclusions:

• A highly accurate molecular parentage verification panel for lovebirds has been successfully developed.
• The 195-SNP panel provides a reliable and efficient method for breeders to confirm parentage in Agapornis.
• This genetic tool will improve breeding programs and the management of lovebird populations.