Data from: Genomic characterisation of the indigenous Irish Kerry cattle breed

Kerry cattle are an endangered landrace heritage breed of cultural
importance to Ireland. In the present study we have used genome-wide SNP
array data to evaluate genomic diversity within the Kerry population and
between Kerry cattle and other European breeds. Patterns of genetic
differentiation and gene flow among breeds using phylogenetic trees with
ancestry graphs highlighted historical gene flow from the British
Shorthorn breed into the ancestral population of modern Kerry cattle.
Principal component analysis (PCA) and genetic clustering emphasised the
genetic distinctiveness of Kerry cattle relative to comparator British and
European cattle breeds. Modelling of genetic effective population size
(Ne) revealed a demographic trend of diminishing Ne over time and that
recent estimated Ne values for the Kerry breed may be less than the
threshold for sustainable genetic conservation. In addition, analysis of
genome-wide autozygosity (FROH¬) showed that genomic inbreeding has
increased significantly during the 20 years between 1992 and 2012.
Finally, signatures of selection revealed genomic regions subject to
natural and artificial selection as Kerry cattle adapted to the climate,
physical geography and agro-ecology of southwest Ireland.