BACKGROUND: The high fecundity of fish species allows intense selection to be practised and therefore leads to fast genetic gains. Based on this, numerous selective breeding programmes have been started in Europe in the last decades, but in general, little is known about how the base populations of breeders have been built. Such knowledge is important because base populations can be created from very few individuals, which can lead to small effective population sizes and associated reductions in genetic variability. In this study, we used genomic information that was recently made available for turbot (Scophthalmus maximus), gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) to obtain accurate estimates of the effective size for commercial populations. METHODS: Restriction-site associated DNA sequencing data were used to estimate current and historical effective population sizes. We used a novel method that considers the linkage disequilibrium spectrum for the whole range of genetic distances between all pairs of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and thus accounts for potential fluctuations in population size over time. RESULTS: Our results show that the current effective population size for these populations is small (equal to or less than 50 fish), potentially putting the sustainability of the breeding programmes at risk. We have also detected important drops in effective population size about five to nine generations ago, most likely as a result of domestication and the start of selective breeding programmes for these species in Europe. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the need to broaden the genetic composition of the base populations from which selection programmes start, and suggest that measures designed to increase effective population size within all farmed populations analysed here should be implemented in order to manage genetic variability and ensure the sustainability of the breeding programmes.

• MeSH
• hustota populace MeSH
• kapři * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mořan zlatý * MeSH
• Percoidea * MeSH
• platýsi * MeSH
• výběrové šlechtění MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Through stochastic simulations, accuracies of breeding values and response to selection were assessed under traditional pedigree-(BLUP) and genomic-based evaluation methods (GBLUP) in forest tree breeding. The latter provides a methodological foundation for genomic selection. We evaluated the impact of clonal replication in progeny testing on the response to selection realized in seed orchards under variable marker density and target effective population sizes. We found that clonal replication in progeny trials boosted selection accuracy, thus providing additional genetic gains under BLUP. While a similar trend was observed for GBLUP, however, the added gains did not surpass those under BLUP. Therefore, breeding programs deploying extensive progeny testing with clonal propagation might not benefit from the deployment of genomic information. These findings could be helpful in the context of operational breeding programs.

• MeSH
• genom rostlinný genetika   MeSH
• genomika metody   MeSH
• lesy * MeSH
• rodokmen MeSH
• selekce (genetika) genetika   MeSH
• šlechtění rostlin metody   MeSH
• stromy genetika   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

In recent decades, interest in non-traditionally colored eggs has increased. For breeders, this market interest means breeding lines of laying hens that lay eggs of varied colors, such as the blue-green eggshells (Dominant Greenshell) in this study. This study presents the results of genotyping the polymorphism of the O locus responsible for shell coloration and photometric measurement of eggshell color based on the CIELAb system, which was carried out on the unique Czech breeding population Dominant Greenshell. The aim was to use a combination of phenotyping using the CIELab System method and genotyping of the O locus using the end-point PCR approach with the main focus on the accuracy of distinguishing shell color genotypes, streamlining the selection of dominant homozygotes in the O locus, optimizing this technology for the most efficient and cost-effective selection procedure in practical hen breeding. The optometric method was able to reliably distinguish only dominant and recessive phenotypes and eliminate from the population only undesirable recessive homozygotes with a white colored shell. The parameter a* (redness/greenness) from the CIELab color space turned out to be absolutely key for distinguishing dominant and recessive phenotypes. Using the CART methodology, a classification tree built on discriminating optometric characteristics a-blunt was obtained, however, for the group of desirable O/O homozygotes, the selection approach would result in incorrect genotyping of 31% of individuals. Therefore, a combined approach based on rapid and simple elimination of recessive homozygotes using phenotyping (CIELab photometric measurement) and molecular identification of the EAV-HP insertion in the SLCO1B3 gene in dominant phenotypes, regardless of color intensity affected by laying time/order, and allowing reliable elimination, has proven to be the most effective method to distinguish heterozygotes from the breeding population. The combination of optometric and molecular selection methods then leads to more efficient selection, reduction of overall selection costs. This process led to the stabilization of the breeding population within one generation and the achievement of a pure homozygous line with regard to eggshell color.

• Klíčová slova
• CART methodology, Czech blue-shelled breed, L*a*b* color space, PCR marker, SLCO1B3,
• MeSH
• barva * MeSH
• chov * MeSH
• fenotyp * MeSH
• genotyp MeSH
• kur domácí * genetika   fyziologie   MeSH
• pigmentace * genetika   MeSH
• selekce (genetika) MeSH
• vaječná skořápka * fyziologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

Dog. Specifically created to save its master's life. - (The dog is the ideal) Friend of man, (because it is his devoted slave) (source: Gustave Flaubert, Dictionnaire des Idées Reçues). But is man the best friend of the dog? This question is legitimate when we consider living situations to which modern domestic dogs are exposed. They often do not satisfy basic animal needs. In this narrative review, the author revisits the history of the dog's presence alongside humans, in the light of current knowledge. The modern dog (breed standards and their interests in canine research) and its breeding strategy, including extreme breeding, will then be given particular attention. Dysfunctional human psychological processes will be explored to make it possible to grasp why the breeding of the modern dog is undergoing such a transformation. Finally, based on these factual and conceptual insights, suggestions to improve canine welfare will be proposed. To be effective, all these must be assessed against real-world conditions.

• Klíčová slova
• canine welfare, dog-human relationship, genetic defect, selective breeding,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

Grapevines are economically important woody perennial crops widely cultivated for their fruits that are used for making wine, grape juice, raisins, and table grapes. However, grapevine production is constantly facing challenges due to climate change and the prevalence of pests and diseases, causing yield reduction, lower fruit quality, and financial losses. To ease the burden, continuous crop improvement to develop superior grape genotypes with desirable traits is imperative. Polyploidization has emerged as a promising tool to generate genotypes with novel genetic combinations that can confer desirable traits such as enhanced organ size, improved fruit quality, and increased resistance to both biotic and abiotic stresses. While previous studies have shown high polyploid induction rates in Vitis spp., rigorous screening of genotypes among the produced polyploids to identify those exhibiting desired traits remains a major bottleneck. In this perspective, we propose the integration of the genomic selection approach with omics data to predict genotypes with desirable traits among the vast unique individuals generated through polyploidization. This integrated approach can be a powerful tool for accelerating the breeding of grapevines to develop novel and improved grapevine varieties.

• Klíčová slova
• genomic selection, grapevine, in vitro, omics, plant breeding, polyploidization,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

When individuals breed more than once, parents are faced with the choice of whether to re-mate with their old partner or divorce and select a new mate. Evolutionary theory predicts that, following successful reproduction with a given partner, that partner should be retained for future reproduction. However, recent work in a polygamous bird, has instead indicated that successful parents divorced more often than failed breeders (Halimubieke et al. in Ecol Evol 9:10734-10745, 2019), because one parent can benefit by mating with a new partner and reproducing shortly after divorce. Here we investigate whether successful breeding predicts divorce using data from 14 well-monitored populations of plovers (Charadrius spp.). We show that successful nesting leads to divorce, whereas nest failure leads to retention of the mate for follow-up breeding. Plovers that divorced their partners and simultaneously deserted their broods produced more offspring within a season than parents that retained their mate. Our work provides a counterpoint to theoretical expectations that divorce is triggered by low reproductive success, and supports adaptive explanations of divorce as a strategy to improve individual reproductive success. In addition, we show that temperature may modulate these costs and benefits, and contribute to dynamic variation in patterns of divorce across plover breeding systems.

• MeSH
• biologická evoluce * MeSH
• Charadriiformes fyziologie   MeSH
• chov MeSH
• párová vazba MeSH
• rozmnožování fyziologie   MeSH
• rozvod MeSH
• sexuální chování zvířat fyziologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

Buckwheat is a nutritionally valuable crop, an alternative to common cereals also usable in gluten-free diets. The selection of buckwheat genotypes suitable for further breeding requires the characterization and evaluation of genetic resources. The main objective of this work was to evaluate selected phenotypic and morphological traits using international buckwheat descriptors, including total phenolic content and antioxidant activity, on a unique set of 136 common buckwheat accessions grown in 2019-2020 under Czech Republic conditions. In addition, UHPLC-ESI- MS/MS was used to analyze a wide spectrum of 20 phenolic compounds in buckwheat seeds, including four flavanols, three phenolic acids, seven flavonols, four flavones, and two flavanones. Significant differences among years and genotypes were observed for morphological traits (plant height and 1000-seed weight) and antioxidant activity, as well as levels of observed chemical compounds. Antioxidant activity, crude protein content, plant height and rutin content were characterized by higher mean values in 2020 than in 2019 and vice versa for total polyphenol content and 1000-seed weight. Crude protein content was the most stable across years, while total polyphenol content and rutin content varied greatly from year to year. The most abundant phenolic compounds were rutin, hyperoside, epicatechin, catechin, vitexin, isovitexin, orientin and isoorientin. Protein content was negatively correlated with plant height, catechin and epicatechin content. On the other hand, AA and TPC were positively correlated with rutin, hyperoside and chlorogenic acid. Five accessions showed high stability of the evaluated traits under changing conditions within both years of observation. These materials can be used in breeding programmes aimed at improving buckwheat genotypes with emphasis on quality traits.

• Klíčová slova
• Fagopyrum, breeding, common buckwheat, mass spectrometry, morpho-agronomic traits, phenolic compounds, protein,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Crop domestication is a co-evolutionary process that has rendered plants and animals significantly dependent on human interventions for survival and propagation. Grain legumes have played an important role in the development of Neolithic agriculture some 12,000 years ago. Despite being early companions of cereals in the origin and evolution of agriculture, the understanding of grain legume domestication has lagged behind that of cereals. Adapting plants for human use has resulted in distinct morpho-physiological changes between the wild ancestors and domesticates, and this distinction has been the focus of several studies aimed at understanding the domestication process and the genetic diversity bottlenecks created. Growing evidence from research on archeological remains, combined with genetic analysis and the geographical distribution of wild forms, has improved the resolution of the process of domestication, diversification and crop improvement. In this review, we summarize the significance of legume wild relatives as reservoirs of novel genetic variation for crop breeding programs. We describe key legume features, which evolved in response to anthropogenic activities. Here, we highlight how whole genome sequencing and incorporation of omics-level data have expanded our capacity to monitor the genetic changes accompanying these processes. Finally, we present our perspective on alternative routes centered on de novo domestication and re-domestication to impart significant agronomic advances of novel crops over existing commodities. A finely resolved domestication history of grain legumes will uncover future breeding targets to develop modern cultivars enriched with alleles that improve yield, quality and stress tolerance.

• Klíčová slova
• Crop wild relatives, Diversification, Domestication, Genes, Grain legumes, Selective sweeps,
• MeSH
• domestikace * MeSH
• Fabaceae * genetika   MeSH
• jedlá semena genetika   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• šlechtění rostlin MeSH
• zemědělské plodiny genetika   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH

The main objectives of the present study were to quantify the environmental, especially temperature and rainfall, effects on breeding phenology of selected catfish species and to predict changes in breeding phenology of the selected species in relation to climatic variability for the Ganga River Basin. The study showed that changes in rainfall pattern may have the most profound effect on gonad maturation and breeding of Mystus tengara and Mystus cavasius followed by the effect of increased water temperature due to rising air temperature. Indication of region-specific adaptation was noticed in reproductive phenology of Eutropiichthys vacha based on local trends of warming climate. The other habitat parameters, such as dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, nitrate, and phosphate, were correlated with gonad maturity and spawning. Climatic variability may bring region-specific changes in breeding phenology of fish species in the Ganga River. Under a warming climate, changes in precipitation pattern manifested into riverine flow pulse may be the key driver in dictating breeding phenology. Our study indicates E. vacha as a climate sensitive species that may be selected as a target species for climate change impact studies.

• Klíčová slova
• Breeding, Climate change, E. vacha, M. cavasius, M. tengara, Modeling, River Ganga,
• MeSH
• chov MeSH
• ekosystém MeSH
• klimatické změny MeSH
• řeky * MeSH
• roční období MeSH
• sumci * MeSH
• teplota MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

This study investigated the thermal properties of potato and hop pollen for cryopreservation and subsequent cross-breeding. Phase transitions and frozen water content in selected pollen samples were measured using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Unlike hop pollen, potato pollen showed high variability in thermal properties and water content. Three specific types of pollen samples based on their thermal characteristics and water content were distinguished by DSC in potato: (1) 'glassy', with a water content lower than 0.21 g water per g dry matter; (2) 'transient', with a water content between 0.27 and 0.34 g of water per g of dry matter; (3) 'frozen', with a water content higher than 0.34 g of water per g of dry matter. Only the 'glassy' pollen samples with a low water content showed suitable properties for its long-term storage using cryopreservation in potato and hops. Cryopreservation of pollen did not significantly reduce its viability, and cryopreserved pollen was successfully used to produce both potato and hop hybrids. The results indicate that cryopreservation is a feasible technique for the preservation and utilization of pollen of these crops in the breeding process.

• Klíčová slova
• DSC, Humulus lupulus, Solanum tuberosum, breeding, cryoconservation, glass transition, pollination, viability, water content,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH