The genomic basis of heat stress adaptation in indigenous Ethiopian cattle from arid and hot-humid climates

Abstract

African zebu cattle (Bos indicus) exhibit remarkable adaptation to extreme thermal conditions, yet the genomic bases of this resilience are not fully elucidated. Ethiopia provides a unique natural setting where closely related zebu populations have divergently adapted to hot-arid (DHETZ) and hot-humid (HHETZ) climates. In this study, we performed whole-genome sequencing of 46 Ethiopian zebu cattle from five populations and compared them with Asian zebu, Sudanese zebu, African taurine, and European taurine breeds. By integrating genome-wide SNP analysis, population genetic structure assessment, and multiple selection scans (iHS, Hp, XP-EHH, and XP-CLR), we identified distinct and shared selection signatures between DHETZ and HHETZ cattle. Ethiopian zebu closely clustered with Sudanese zebu but showed clear divergence from Asian zebu and taurine breeds. Although DHETZ and HHETZ cattle exhibited minimal genetic differentiation, reflecting their shared ancestry, each group displayed unique selection signals. DHETZ cattle showed strong selection in genes involved in oxidative stress regulation, protein folding, mitochondrial function, and vascular remodeling (e.g., SESN2, DNAJC8, GRPEL2, ABLIM3, and AFAP1L1). In contrast, HHETZ cattle displayed signatures in genes associated with immune responses, energy metabolism, and angiogenesis inhibition (e.g., MYD88, PRKACA, PRKACB, and WIF1). Several genes, including VEGFC, TNIP3, and DMXL2, were under selection in both groups, suggesting conserved mechanisms of thermotolerance and reproductive adaptation. These findings reveal a dual pattern of genomic adaptation: while core heat-response pathways are shared, population-specific signatures reflect distinct metabolic and vascular strategies for coping with arid versus humid heat stress. This study provides novel insights into the genomic architecture of environmental adaptation in tropical cattle and offers valuable markers for breeding climate-resilient livestock.