Characterization of runs of homozygosity and heterozygosity-rich regions in a commercial turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) population

Runs of homozygosity have been used for genomic characterization and inbreeding estimation, or to detect selective signatures in the genome of mammal and avian species. Here we report runs of homozygosity and heterozygosity in the turkey genome (Meleagris gallopavo). A total of 5,297 turkeys from one commercial line collected between 2010 and 2016 were genotyped using a proprietary 60k array, and pedigree records of 773,414 individuals were available. Runs of both homozygosity and heterozygosity were detected. Relatively long and abundant runs of homozygosity were detected, with comparatively few runs of heterozygosity. Inbreeding coefficients calculated using ROH were higher than those calculated using pedigree. These results provide a preliminary characterization of the turkey genome in terms of runs of homozygosity and heterozygosity-rich genomic regions.