Thesis supervisor: Szilvia Kusza
Location of studies (in Hungarian): University of Debrecen, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management Abbreviation of location of studies: A/129
Description of the research topic:
Since the Neolithic onwards, sheep has become an essential livestock in human production. It is not only provide milk and meat for human, the fur is an important substance as well. Hungary is a traditional agricultural country. The most famous indigenous sheep breeds are Tsigai and Zackel. Due to indiscriminate crossbreeding, great amount of intermixing and habitat destruction, the sheep breeds are currently under threatened status. Conservationists, evolution genetists recognized the significance of maintaining biodiversity in this important breeds of small ruminants. During the last centuries, the Zackel breeds have taken its own shape according to their territories: e.g. Valaska (Slovakia, Czech Republic), Tschkel (Ukraine), Turcana (Romania), Racka (Hungary), Vlasko Vitoroga (Serbia). Historical evidences suggest the presence of similar types of sheep as the Zackel in the ancient Egypt, from where the migrations in different periods took these breeds to the Middle East and Europe. Currently, Zackel sheep can be found in 14 countries from Central-, Eastern- and Southern Europe, being regarded as triple-purpose breeds (meat, milk and wool), commonly managed under extensive low-input production systems. Phenotypically, breeds from the Zackel group are small or medium sized, with typical long coarse wool and spiraled horns. Phenotypically similar breeds are kept in Inner Asia as well. The main aims of this project are: (1) study of the genetic diversity of European Zackel breeds (mtDNA, Y-chromosome, high density SNP-array, genome sequencing); (2) comparison of the genetic diversity of European spiraled horns Zackel breeds with the genetic diversity of Asian spiraled horns Zackel and verification or rejection of the concept of Asian origin of European Zackel and (3) assessment of human influence on the distribution. The new results will be compared and compiled with available data from other European and Asian studies to fully understand the evolutionary history of spiraled horns Zackel sheep in Europe.
Required language skills: English Further requirements: laboratory experience
Number of students who can be accepted: 1
Deadline for application: 2018-02-16
2024. IV. 17. ODT ülés Az ODT következő ülésére 2024. június 14-én, pénteken 10.00 órakor kerül sor a Semmelweis Egyetem Szenátusi termében (Bp. Üllői út 26. I. emelet).
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