Data from: Genetic diversity and genomic signatures of selection among cattle breeds from Siberia, eastern and northern Europe

Domestication in the near eastern region had a major impact on the gene
pool of humpless taurine cattle (Bos taurus). As a result of subsequent
natural and artificial selection, hundreds of different breeds have
evolved, displaying a broad range of phenotypic traits. Here, 10 Eurasian
B. taurus breeds from different biogeographic and production conditions,
which exhibit different demographic histories and have been under
artificial selection at various intensities, were investigated using the
Illumina BovineSNP50 panel to understand their genetic diversity and
population structure. In addition, we scanned genomes from eight breeds
for signatures of diversifying selection. Our population structure
analysis indicated six distinct breed groups, the most divergent being the
Yakutian cattle from Siberia. Selection signals were shared (experimental
P-value < 0.01) with more than four breeds on chromosomes 6, 7, 13,
16 and 22. The strongest selection signals in the Yakutian cattle were
found on chromosomes 7 and 21, where a miRNA gene and genes related to
immune system processes are respectively located. In general, genomic
regions indicating selection overlapped with known QTL associated with
milk production (e.g. on chromosome 19), reproduction (e.g. on chromosome
24) and meat quality (e.g. on chromosome 7). The selection map created in
this study shows that native cattle breeds and their genetic resources
represent unique material for future breeding.