Ancestry dynamics and trait selection in a designer cat breed

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Animal Science
• Zoology

Background:

• The Bengal cat breed originates from hybridization between the Asian leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) and the domestic cat (Felis catus).
• Breed characteristics, including unique pelage and color patterns, are attributed to introgressed regions from the leopard cat genome.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the ancestry distribution and selection signatures within the Bengal cat genome.
• To identify the genetic underpinnings of specific Bengal cat traits, such as coat color and pattern.

Main Methods:

• Utilized reduced representation and whole-genome sequencing on a cohort of 947 Bengal cats.
• Analyzed ancestry proportions and identified selective sweeps associated with leopard cat DNA introgressions.

Main Results:

• The mean proportion of leopard cat DNA in Bengal cats was found to be 3.48%, broadly distributed across 93% of the genome.
• Leopard cat DNA introgressions did not exhibit strong genome-wide selection signatures.
• Specific traits like charcoal color and pheomelanin intensity are linked to selected leopard cat genes with reduced expression in a domestic cat background.
• A selective sweep was identified, associated with reduced expression of the Fgfr2 gene, responsible for the 'glitter' coat trait.

Conclusions:

• Hybridization has resulted in a widespread but not strongly selected leopard cat genetic contribution in Bengal cats.
• Specific color traits and the 'glitter' coat phenotype are influenced by selected leopard cat genes and genetic incompatibilities.
• The study elucidates the genetic basis of key Bengal cat traits, offering insights into hybridization and breed development.