Exploring genomics and immunity of the Cape Verde stray dogs

Objectives: During the maritime exploration period, the Portuguese transported domesticated food animals and probably dogs, between regions, such as Europe, South America and Africa. Our main goals are to understand animals’ mobility over time, evolutionary paths of dog populations/breeds and to explore the present-day global genomic diversity, particularly their immunity-related genes. Aligned with the One Health concept, this research aims to identify the main pathogens affecting Cape Verde stray dogs, an insular African population, and their genomic polymorphisms and ancestry. Material and Methods: Blood samples from 20 unrelated stray dogs from Cape Verde were collected during a neutering campaign organised by animal welfare NGOs - Animais de Rua and Simabô. Ectoparasites were collected and stored in 70% alcohol for identification. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood. Through outsourcing services, shotgun resequences (~10x covered) will be generated. Genomic data will be processed and combined with other worldwide genomes from Portuguese and Brazilian native dogs. Genomic diversity indicators, population structure, ancestry, differentiation and adaptation (e.g. immunity) will be assessed using standard methods. MHC/DLA class II genes´ (DLA-DQA, DRB, DQB) haplotypes and Toll-Like Receptor SNPs will be characterized. Vector-borne pathogens were assessed through microscopic detection and will be confirmed by molecular screening. Results: DNA concentration varied between 14.86 to 95.44 ng/uL. Ectoparasites were collected from 16 dogs (80%), including fleas (Ctenocephalides felis, Echidnophaga gallinacea), lice (Heterodoxus spiniger), and ticks (Rhipicephalus spp.). Blood smears revealed that most dogs (70%, n=14) were infected with at least one pathogenic agent, including Hepatozoon canis and bacteria from the Ehrlichia/Anaplasma genus. Conclusion: Preliminary data indicate that stray dogs in Cape Verde are heavily burdened by both ecto- and hemoparasites requiring better veterinary care and highlighting potential public health risks. This project aligns with Lusófona University’s mission to develop leading research and collaborations with Portuguese-speaking countries. Keywords: Dog genomics, Ancestry, Immunity genes, Cape Verde archipelago´s stray dogs, Vector-borne diseases. Funding: This research was funded by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Lusófona University, under projecto estratégico “CREOLEs– Genomics and Immunity of Cape Verde Stray Dogs of FMV-ULusófona - 2023” (https://imvet.ulusofona.pt/investigacao). We thank “Animais de Rua” and “Simabô” NGOs for all the provided help in collecting samples from stray dogs from Cape Verde-São Vicente island, during the March 2024 neutering campaign.