Selective sweep analysis reveals extensive parallel selection traits between large white and Duroc pigs

Abstract In the process of pig genetic improvement, different commercial breeds have been bred for the same purpose, improving meat production. Most of the economic traits, such as growth and fertility, have been selected similarly despite the discrepant selection pressure, which is known as parallel selection. Here, 28 whole‐genome sequencing data of Danish large white pigs with an approximately 25‐fold depth each were generated, resulting in about 12 million high‐quality SNPs for each individual. Combined with the sequencing data of 27 Duroc and 23 European wild boars, we investigated the parallel selection of Danish large white and Duroc pigs using two complementary methods, Fst and iHS. In total, 67 candidate regions were identified as the signatures of parallel selection. The genes in candidate regions of parallel selection were mainly associated with sensory perception, growth rate, and body size. Further functional annotation suggested that the striking consistency of the terms may be caused by the polygenetic basis of quantitative traits, and revealing the complex genetic basis of parallel selection. Besides, some unique terms were enriched in population‐specific selection regions, such as the limb development‐related terms enriched in Duroc‐specific selection regions, suggesting unique selections of breed‐specific selected traits. These results will help us better understand the parallel selection process of different breeds. Moreover, we identified several potential causal SNPs that may contribute to the pig genetic breeding process