Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41963798›Full record

ArticleBMC genomics2026

Genomic signals on the X chromosome reveal local adaptations in Ethiopian cattle.

Wondossen Ayalew, Getinet M Tarekegn, Wu Xiaoyun, Min Chu, Rakan Naboulsi, Tesfaye S Tessema, Erik Bongcam-Rudloff, Enyew Negussie, Yan Ping, Zhe Zhang

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Article in BMC genomics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Wondossen AyalewState Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro‑Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
Getinet M TarekegnSchool of Veterinary Medicine and Biosciences (SVMB), Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Peter Wilson Building, The King's Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, UK. Getinet.Tarekegn@sruc.ac.uk.
Wu XiaoyunKey Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou, 30050, China.
Min ChuKey Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou, 30050, China.
Rakan NaboulsiAmerican University of the Middle East, Egaila, 54200, Kuwait.
Tesfaye S TessemaInstitute of Biotechnology, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Erik Bongcam-RudloffDepartment of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, 75007, Sweden.
Enyew NegussieNatural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Jokioinen, 31600, Finland.
Yan PingKey Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding on Tibetan Plateau, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou, 30050, China. pingyanlz@163.com.
Zhe ZhangState Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, Guangdong Provincial Key Lab of Agro‑Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China. zhezhang@scau.edu.cn.

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China 32022078
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIn livestock, understanding the genetic basis of adaptation to the environment is essential for enhancing resilience to climate change and sustaining productivity in diverse environments. Indigenous Ethiopian cattle represent an ideal model for such studies, as they have evolved across a wide range of environments from the cool, oxygen-limited highlands to the hot, pathogen-rich lowlands. These environmental gradients imposed intense selective pressures, shaping their genomic landscape. In this study, we performed the first comprehensive analysis of X-linked adaptive signatures in Ethiopian indigenous cattle using whole-genome sequencing data.

resultsPopulation structure analysis revealed clear genetic differentiations between Abigar and Barka cattle, while the remaining populations showed substantial shared ancestry and admixtures. Pairwise fixation index ([Formula: see text] estimates, runs of homozygosity (ROH) patterns, and linkage disequilibrium (LD) decay further supported historical isolation and stronger selection pressure in Barka, contrasting with the greater diversity and faster LD decay in Gojjam Highland cattle. Complementary selection signature detections ([Formula: see text], XP-EHH, and[Formula: see text]) revealed population-specific and shared genomic regions under selection on the X chromosome. Notably, signals associated with high-altitude adaptation were detected near the RBM3, RPS4X, and TSC22D3 loci. Additional signals were observed in genes related to thermoregulation and oxidative stress response (EDA, SUV39H1, and HDAC8), as well as immune regulation (IRAK1, BDA20, and IL1RAPL1), suggesting adaptation to hot and pathogen-rich environments. Functional enrichment analysis highlighted genes involved in extracellular matrix organization and immune signaling pathways, underscoring their roles in environmental adaptation.

conclusionsThis study provides the first genome-wide evidence of X-linked adaptive divergence in the Ethiopian cattle. The findings highlight the contribution of the X chromosome to heat tolerance, hypoxia adaptation, and immune resilience, offering valuable genomic insights for breeding programs aimed at enhancing productivity and climate adaptability in tropical cattle.

Indexed as

Adaptation, PhysiologicalGenomicsX ChromosomeAnimalsCattleEthiopiaLinkage DisequilibriumPolymorphism, Single NucleotideSelection, GeneticAdaptationand X-linked signatureEthiopiaIndigenous cattle

Identifiers

PMID41963798
PMCPMC13185171

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.