Supporting data for "Whole-genome resequencing reveals signatures of selection and timing of duck domestication"

The genetic basis of animal domestication remains poorly understood, and systems with substantial phenotypic differences between wild and domestic populations are useful for elucidating the genetic basis of adaptation to new environments as well as the genetic basis of rapid phenotypic change. <br>Here, we sequenced the whole genome of 78 individual ducks, from two wild and seven domesticated populations, with an average sequencing depth of 6.42X per individual. <br>Our population and demographic analyses indicate a complex history of domestication, with early selection for separate meat and egg lineages. Genomic comparison of wild to domesticated populations suggest that genes affecting brain and neuronal development have undergone strong positive selection during domestication. Our FST analysis also indicates that the duck white plumage is the result of selection at the melanogenesis associated transcription factor locus. <br> Our results advance the understanding of animal domestication and selection for complex phenotypic traits.

动物驯化的遗传基础至今仍未得到充分阐释，而野生与驯化种群间存在显著表型差异的研究体系，不仅可用于阐明生物适应新环境的遗传基础，也能为解析快速表型变化的遗传机制提供重要支撑。
本研究对78只个体鸭的全基因组（Whole Genome）进行测序，样本覆盖2个野生种群与7个驯化种群，单样本平均测序深度达6.42X。
种群遗传学与群体历史分析结果表明，鸭的驯化历程较为复杂，早期曾分别针对肉用与蛋用遗传谱系开展选择。通过野生与驯化种群的基因组比较分析发现，调控大脑及神经元发育的基因在驯化过程中经历了强烈的正向选择。本研究的FST（Fixation Index）分析还显示，家鸭的白色羽毛表型源于黑素生成相关转录因子（Melanogenesis Associated Transcription Factor）基因座的人工选择作用。
本研究结果推进了学界对动物驯化以及复杂表型性状选择机制的认知。