About this Research Topic
Introgression of genetic features from European pigs into Chinese pigs could contribute to improvements in productivity traits, such as feed conversion efficiency and body size. The human-mediated introgression and selection have reshaped the genome of pigs and improved several of their desired traits. The divergence between Asian wild and European wild pigs can be traced to approximately half a million years ago, prior to independent domestication (~10,000 years ago). Subsequently, many domesticated pig populations were formed, each with distinct phenotypes. According to historical records, the Chinese pig was imported into Europe in the mid-to-late 18th century. However, introgression's genomic differences and functions are still not well understood.
Several geographically isolated pig populations currently live, including Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu, and Tibet in China. Environmental factors, including temperature, humidity, precipitation, and vegetation, vary across regions. Therefore, different Tibetan geographical populations may have experienced independent adaptive mechanisms for the harsh environment. Besides, it remains an open question whether domesticated pigs have experienced differentiation and subdivisions during the long period of their evolution. These collected findings contribute to our understanding of the history of indigenous pigs and provide insights into the genetic mechanisms affecting economically important traits in pig populations.
We encourage the submissions of original research articles, perspectives, opinion articles, and reviews that focus on, but are not limited to, the following potential topics:
• The whole-genome data of indigenous pigs will generate and analyze data for European pigs and other Chinese indigenous pigs.
• Study on gene loci related to coarse feeding tolerance and disease resistance of local varieties will compare and investigated.
• Introgression from European pigs into indigenous pigs will determine by multiple statistical analyses, and the proportion of introgression will estimate.
• Common introgressed regions and selected regions will compare and identify possibly associated with feed conversion efficiency, environment, and body size.
Several geographically isolated pig populations currently live, including Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu, and Tibet in China. Environmental factors, including temperature, humidity, precipitation, and vegetation, vary across regions. Therefore, different Tibetan geographical populations may have experienced independent adaptive mechanisms for the harsh environment. Besides, it remains an open question whether domesticated pigs have experienced differentiation and subdivisions during the long period of their evolution. These collected findings contribute to our understanding of the history of indigenous pigs and provide insights into the genetic mechanisms affecting economically important traits in pig populations.
We encourage the submissions of original research articles, perspectives, opinion articles, and reviews that focus on, but are not limited to, the following potential topics:
• The whole-genome data of indigenous pigs will generate and analyze data for European pigs and other Chinese indigenous pigs.
• Study on gene loci related to coarse feeding tolerance and disease resistance of local varieties will compare and investigated.
• Introgression from European pigs into indigenous pigs will determine by multiple statistical analyses, and the proportion of introgression will estimate.
• Common introgressed regions and selected regions will compare and identify possibly associated with feed conversion efficiency, environment, and body size.
Keywords: Genetic basis, population history, indigenous pigs, economically traits
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