Genome-Wide Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Local Sudanese Sheep Populations Revealed by Whole-Genome Sequencing
, Abdulfatai Tijjani 4, Tadelle Dessie 3, Hassan H. Musa 5,6,* and Olivier Hanotte 3,7,8,*Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The article is very interesting and corresponds to the great development of genomics in farm animals. The idea of ​​the article is original and its implementation meets the needs of the scientific community in the field of animal science in Africa. The results of this extensive and in-depth research would inform future strategies for the sustainable management of sheep genetic resources in Sudan. Modern methods were used for the examined samples and data analysis. I have one main remark about the article, which refers to the Material and Method section. The authors did not describe the sampling methodology and in particular there is no evidence that the samples were taken from unrelated animals. For some breeds, the number of samples taken is too small (e.g. Watish, Bega, Garag, Ashgar). There is no information on the number of herds sampled and what percentage of the population they represent. Information on the availability of herd books for the relevant breeds or, if no herd books, how blood sampling from non-related animals is ensured must be provided. In the Material and Methods section, authors should present a well and clearly described sampling design and it should conform to the generally accepted rules for molecular research described in the FAO publication FAO. 2011. Molecular genetic characterization of animal genetic resources. FAO Animal Production and Health Guidelines. No 9. Rome. If the samples are not taken correctly, then the otherwise interesting and good results obtained become meaningless.
Therefore, authors should: provide a detailed description of the sampling design; are there pedigree books on file to breed; if there are no pedigree books, how is blood sampling from non-related animals ensured. Although brief, the authors should present a brief background on the breeding structure of the studied breeds in Sudan.
Author Response
Dear reviewer,
Responses to reviewer 1 comments and suggestions, please see the attachment
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
This paper is well done and well written and deserve be published. congratulations to authors.
Specific comments:
1. Lines 53-54: Please replace "real genetic potential in production and reproduction" with "productive performance under improved feeding and other environmental conditions". There is not a "real genetic potential".
2. The statistical consequences (confidence ranges in estimated population genetic parameters) of the limited number of animals used (particularly in some subpopulations), may be showed indicating which parameters / conclusions are more likely to be affected by that.
3. Lines 4567-469: This conclusion seems to me not supported by any result of this study and may be eliminated: "The results also indicate that local Sudanese sheep may represent a valuable animal genetic model to understand genetic mechanisms associated with human adaptation and distribution". Why these mechanisms would be similar?
Author Response
Dear reviewer,
Responses to reviewer 2 comments and suggestions, please see the attachments.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
Dear Authors, after the addition of information about the method of blood sampling, the article becomes acceptable for publication. Nevertheless, I allow myself to make some additional note and recommendation. It is clear that the local sheep populations in Sudan studied in the article are not clearly defined as breeds. Perhaps that is why you limited yourself to the title "Local Sudanese sheep" without clarifying whether they are breeds or local sheep populations. It seems to me that both in the title and in the whole text of the article, to the term "Local Sudanese sheep" should be added "populations" and everywhere in the article the designation of individual groups of sheep should be edited as "Local Sudanese sheep populations"!
Author Response
Dear reviewer,
In response to the raised comment, please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
