Between 2012 and 2022, the genetic potential for total number of born piglets increased 2.8 per litter in commercial pigs. Alentejano pigs, from Southern Portugal, have low litter size with an average of 5 piglets providing an opportunity to investigate different gene interactions related with litter size and characterize the biological mechanisms associated with this trait. An experiment was carried out to inv...
Landim pigs, a population of native pigs from Mozambique are currently threatened by the recent introduction of European exotic breeds. Like most African pig populations, Landim pigs have never been characterized at the genome level and are well adapted to harsh conditions which include adaptation to endemic diseases. In this study, we provide a comprehensive genetic characterization of Landim pigs using whole-...
Landim pigs, a population of native pigs from Mozambique are currently threatened by the recent introduction of European exotic breeds. Like most African pig populations, Landim pigs have never been characterized at the genome level and are well adapted to harsh conditions which include adaptation to endemic diseases. In this study, we provide a comprehensive genetic characterization of Landim pigs using whole-...
In Angola, about 70% of the population relies on subsistence agriculture, with cattle production crucial to the economy and culture of the southern regions. Local cattle breeds face extinction due to crossbreeding with improved breeds or replacement by exotic commercial breeds, risking the loss of unique genetic traits vital for adapting to Angola's ecosystems. This project aims to establish a biobank represent...
In Angola, about 70% of the population relies on subsistence agriculture, with cattle production crucial to the economy and culture of the southern regions. Local cattle breeds face extinction due to crossbreeding with improved breeds or replacement by exotic commercial breeds, risking the loss of unique genetic traits vital for adapting to Angola's ecosystems. This project aims to establish a biobank represent...
Natural and artificial selection in African sheep populations has left distinctive genomic signatures. In southern Angola, pastoralist tribes breed fat-tailed sheep adapted to arid and mesic savannas for protein and cultural purposes. This study aims to identify candidate genes associated with productivity and adaptation in these sheep. We sequenced genomes from Namibe (n = 3) and Cunene (n = 5) and compared th...
Between 2012 and 2022, the genetic potential for total number of born increased by 2.8 piglets per litter in commercial pigs, for which litter size ranges 13–16 piglets. Conversely, Alentejano pigs, a local breed from Portugal, has an average of 5 piglets, providing an opportunity to investigate different gene interactions related with litter size, and to characterize the biological mechanisms associated with t...
cattle in Angola and how they relate to other breeds. In Africa we find Bos taurus and Bos indicus cattle and a hybrid also known as Sanga cattle. The most dominant cattle in Angola are Sanga which name varies according to the location and native language of the region, existing 11 different denominations, which conservation status in unknown. Sampling was performed between 2023 and 2024 in different provinces....