Population genomics of American mink using genotype data

Area of Science:

• Animal genetics
• Population genomics
• Domestic animal breeding

Background:

• Efficient genomic selection programs in domestic animals depend on understanding population genetic structure.
• American mink (Neovison vison) are valuable fur animals, but their genetic diversity and structure require detailed investigation for breeding advancements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compute linkage disequilibrium (LD) patterns, effective population size (Ne), genetic diversity, genetic distances, and population structure in American mink.
• To identify the optimal number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for accurate genomic selection.
• To delineate the genetic structure and ancestral components across different color types.

Main Methods:

• Genotyping of 2,973 American mink from two farms using the Affymetrix Mink 70K panel.
• Analysis of linkage disequilibrium (LD) patterns, effective population size (Ne), genetic diversity, and population differentiation.
• Application of population structure analyses to identify ancestral genetic groups.

Main Results:

• LD patterns indicated a need for at least 7,700 (CCFAR) and 4,200 (MFF) SNPs for accurate genomic selection.
• Effective population size (Ne) estimated for five generations ago was 76 (CCFAR) and 91 (MFF).
• Mink populations exhibited low genetic diversity with most variation within color types; three ancestral genetic groups were identified, with specific color types clustering or admixing.

Conclusions:

• The study provides essential genetic information for American mink using a medium-density SNP panel.
• Understanding population structure and LD is critical for developing effective genomic selection strategies in mink.
• Results highlight the close genetic relationship and low diversity among American mink color types, informing future breeding efforts.