Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 8, 2026
06:57
Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification LAMP Assays for the Species-specific Detection of Eimeria that Infect Chickens
Published on: February 20, 2015
27.4K
Genetic diversity, population structure and selective sweeps in Italian Leccese chickens
Medhat S Saleh1, Giusy Rusco2, Filippo Cendron3
1Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Valenzano, 70010 BA, Italy; Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Benha University, 13736 Benha, Egypt.
Poultry Science
|December 17, 2025
Summary
Genetic characterization of the Leccese (LEC) chicken breed reveals unique diversity and population structure. This study identifies key genes for growth, disease resistance, and adaptation, crucial for conservation and breeding programs.
Area of Science:
- Animal Genetics
- Poultry Science
- Conservation Genetics
Background:
- Italy possesses diverse native chicken breeds, including the Leccese (LEC) breed.
- Urgent genetic characterization of the LEC breed is needed for conservation and sustainable development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To genetically characterize the Leccese chicken breed.
- To assess its genetic diversity and population structure.
- To identify selection signatures for conservation and breeding.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the 600K Affymetrix SNP array for genetic analysis.
- Compared LEC with 25 Italian indigenous breeds and four commercial lines.
- Employed runs of homozygosity and integrated haplotype score analyses for selection signatures.
Main Results:
- LEC chicken exhibits distinct genetic diversity (heterozygosity 0.343-0.358) and population structure.
- Identified significant inbreeding coefficients (0.044-0.189).
- Detected selection signatures in genes related to growth, bone development, disease resistance, and adaptation.
Conclusions:
- Provides novel insights into the LEC chicken's genetic background, aiding breed identification and conservation.
- Identified candidate genes can inform future breeding programs for enhanced traits and adaptation.
- Supports sustainable development and conservation planning for the Leccese chicken breed.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Genetic Variation
1.2K
Genetic variation is the diversity in DNA sequences found among individuals of the same species. This diversity is crucial for a species' survival because it helps organisms adapt to environmental changes. Genetic variation begins with fertilization, where an egg and sperm cell merge. Each of these cells carries 23 chromosomes, up to 46 in the fertilized egg. Chromosomes are long DNA strands that contain genes, the basic units of heredity.
Genes exist in different versions called alleles,...
Genes exist in different versions called alleles,...
1.2K
01:09Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift
61.6K
In a population that is not at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the frequency of alleles changes over time. Therefore, any deviations from the five conditions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium can alter the genetic variation of a given population. Conditions that change the genetic variability of a population include mutations, natural selection, non-random mating, gene flow, and genetic drift (small population size).
61.6K
02:39Gene Flow
37.3K
Gene flow is the transfer of genes among populations, resulting from either the dispersal of gametes or from the migration of individuals.
37.3K
02:16Genetics of Speciation
20.8K
Speciation is the evolutionary process resulting in the formation of new, distinct species—groups of reproductively isolated populations.
20.8K
03:33Genetic Drift
42.8K
Natural selection—probably the most well-known evolutionary mechanism—increases the prevalence of traits that enhance survival and reproduction. However, evolution does not merely propagate favorable traits, nor does it always benefit populations.
42.8K
00:49Complementation Tests
6.0K
A complementation test is a simple cross to identify whether the two mutations are located on the same gene or different genes. It was first performed by Edward Lewis in the 1940s while working on fruit flies. He developed the test to identify the location and arrangement of different mutations on chromosomes.
Organisms heterozygous for different mutations are crossed pairwise in all combinations. If present on different genes, the mutations can complement each other by providing the missing...
Organisms heterozygous for different mutations are crossed pairwise in all combinations. If present on different genes, the mutations can complement each other by providing the missing...
6.0K