Investigation of genetic diversity and genetic resources of mouflon (Ovis orientalis) and its domestic breeds (Ovis aries) in the north-west of Iran based on whole genome sequences and BeadChip Ovine SNP 50K

Iran’s mouflons (Ovis orientalis) populations have been declined in western regions because of poaching and habitat destruction and categorized as vulnerable in IUCN red list, this population as ancestors of domestic sheep (Ovis aries) breeds all around the world has an international importance. In this study, genetic diversity and structure of mouflons in the north-west of Iran (West Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, Markazi, Hamedan and Qazvin) identified and compared with the domestic breeds via whole genome sequencing and BeadChip Ovine SNP 50K Data. Number of SNPs all over the genome, genetic load and inbreeding coefficient based on whole genome data, as well as expected heterozygosity and inbreeding coefficient as genetic diversity parameters based on c BeadChip data have been compared between wild and domestic groups. Number of discriminator SNPs as the most important parameters showed impressive difference and was calculated about 24 million for wilds and 20 million for domestics. According to the findings of nucleotide diversity for the whole genome, genetic diversity based on complete genome data was higher in the wild group than in the domestic group. Based on the results of this study, mouflon (Ovis orientalis) with high levels of genetic diversity as genetic resources for domestic breeds of all domestic sheep in the world are of vital value and should be given priority in conservation programs.