Genomic insights into the demographic history and local adaptation of wild boars across Eurasia.

ABSTRACT: Wild boars exhibit genetic and phenotypic diversity shaped by migrations and local adaptations. Their expansion across Eurasia, especially in Central Asia, remains underexplored. Here, we present newly sequenced whole-genome data of 47 wild boars from Eastern Asia, Central Asia, and Europe, combined with 49 existing genomes, creating a comprehensive dataset of 96 individuals. Our analyses show that Asian wild boars and Southeast Asian Suids split ∼3.6 million years ago (mya), with Central Asian and Southern Chinese ancestors diverging ∼1.8 mya. The split between Central Asian and European-Near East ancestors occurred ∼0.9 mya, followed by a European-Near East divergence ∼0.6 mya. We identify signatures of local adaptation in Central Asian populations, including two positively selected variants in LPIN1, associated with lipid metabolism, and a missense mutation in ALPK2, linked to meat traits. These findings provide insights into wild boar dispersal and adaptation and shed light on domestic pig breeding.

SUBMITTER: Wang Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12534701 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature