Life Sciences Commons^™

Exploring Definitions Of Daily Enteric Methane Emission Phenotypes For Genetic Evaluations Using A Population Of Indoor-Fed Multi-Breed Growing Cattle With Feed Intake Data, Clodgah V. Ryan, Thierry Pabiou, Deirdre C. Purfield, Donagh P. Berry, Stephen Conroy, Craig P. Murphy, Ross Evans

Department of Biological Sciences Publications

Genetic selection has been identified as a promising approach for reducing enteric methane (CH₄) emissions; a prerequisite for genetic evaluations; however, these are estimates of the necessary genetic parameters based on a population representative of where the genetic evaluations will be used. The objective of this study was, therefore, to derive genetic parameters for a series of definitions of CH₄, carbon dioxide (CO₂), and dry matter intake (DMI) as well as genetic correlations between CH₄, CO₂, and DMI in a bid to address the paucity of studies involving methane emissions …

Genetic Evaluation Of Enteric Methane For Sustainable Irish Beef Cattle, Clodagh Ryan

ORBioM (Open Research BioSciences Meeting)

Background:

Globally, livestock agriculture significantly contributes to human-induced greenhouse gas emissions, particularly through methane production. A potential approach to effectively, durably, and progressively reduce enteric methane emissions at a reasonable cost is through animal breeding.

Methods:

Individual animal methane records were available from 1,508 multi-breed growing beef cattle using GreenFeed Emission Monitoring systems. The objective of this study was to derive genetic parameters for a series of definitions of enteric methane, carbon dioxide, and dry matter intake (DMI). Estimated breeding values (EBVs) were generated for nine alternative definitions of enteric methane and EBVs were validated against phenotypic performance (adjusted for …

Population Physiology, Demography, And Genetics Of Side-Blotched Lizards (Uta Stansburiana) Residing In Urban And Natural Environments, Spencer B. Hudson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Wildlife populations across the globe are poised to lose their natural habitat to urbanization, yet there is limited information on how different species handle living in cities. Animals in urban environments are often susceptible to novel stressors, which can threaten their individual health and population viability. The physiological characteristics of animals, such as those related to metabolic hormones, oxidative stress, and immunity, are expected to be important for survival in this context. If so, animals persisting in urban areas may demonstrate physiological differences from their natural counterparts, perhaps due to evolutionary change. These potential outcomes have been documented in birds …

Identification And Assessment Of Lameness In Sows Through The Utilization Of Nutrack And Gaitfour Systems, Lexi M. Ostrand

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Lameness is a financial concern for producers and a welfare concern for the animals. Utilizing both the GAITFour and NUtrack systems, gilts’ natural tendencies and gait were analyzed to better understand the onset of lameness and what indicators can be identified in a commercial setting. Beginning at 20 weeks of age, video on replacement gilts was collected for 9 consecutive days and processed using the NUtrack System to identify individual gilts’ distance travelled (m), avg speed (m/s), angle rotated (degrees), and time standing (s), sitting (s), eating (s), and laying (s). NUtrack is a deep learning-based multi-object …

Assessment Of Genetic Variability And Genetic Parameters Of Morphological And Agro-Physiological Traits In Camelina Sativa (L.), Farshad Fallah, Danial Kahrizi, Abbas Rezaeizad, Alireza Zebarjadi, Leila Zarei, Hülya Doğan

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

The present investigation was done to evaluate genetic variability and estimation of genetic parameters of morphological and agro-physiological traits in Camelina sativa (L.) using biometrical genetic techniques. For this purpose, 136 Camelina doubled haploid line genotypes were assessed in a randomized complete blocks design with three replicates in the Field Research, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran, during the 2014-2015 cropping season. The results of the analysis of variance showed significant differences between the genotypes for all studied traits. High estimates of genetic gain and broad-sense heritability were observed for the number of pods per plant, the number of pods per main …

Genetic Parameters Of Growth, Reproductive, And Productive Characteristics In Anatolian Buffaloes, Yusuf Kaplan, Mustafa Tekerli̇

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

It was aimed to investigate the genetic parameters in growth, fertility, and productivity of Anatolian buffaloes maintained at private farms of Yozgat. A total of 1139 buffalo cows and their calves were used in the study. The weights at birth, weaning, 6th and 12th months of age, and daily live weight gains (DLWG) of buffalo calves born from 2015 to 2019 were recorded. Calving interval (CI) and service period (SP), lactation milk yield (LMY), milk yield per day of lactation period (MYPDLP), milk yield per day of calving interval (MYPDCI), peak yield (PY), a day at peak yield (DPY) and …

Genome-Wide Association Analyses Of Physical Activity And Sedentary Behavior Provide Insights Into Underlying Mechanisms And Roles In Disease Prevention, Zhe Wang, Andrew Emmerich, Nicolas J. Pillon, Tim Moore, Daiane Hemerich, Marilyn C. Cornelis, Eugenia Mazzaferro, Siacia Broos, Tarunveer S. Ahluwalia, Traci M. Bartz, Amy R. Bentley, Lawrence F. Bielak, Mike Chong, Audrey Y. Chu, Diane Berry, Rajkumar Dorajoo, Nicole D. Dueker, Elisa Kasbohm, Bjarke Feenstra, Mary F. Feitosa, Mark A. Sarzynski Ph.D., Faha, Facsm, Et. Al.

Faculty Publications

Although physical activity and sedentary behavior are moderately heritable, little is known about the mechanisms that influence these traits. Combining data for up to 703,901 individuals from 51 studies in a multi-ancestry meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies yields 99 loci that associate with self-reported moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity during leisure time (MVPA), leisure screen time (LST) and/or sedentary behavior at work. Loci associated with LST are enriched for genes whose expression in skeletal muscle is altered by resistance training. A missense variant in ACTN3 makes the alpha-actinin-3 filaments more flexible, resulting in lower maximal force in isolated type IIA muscle …

High-Throughput Characterization, Correlation, And Mapping Of Leaf Photosynthetic And Functional Traits In The Soybean (Glycine Max) Nested Association Mapping Population, Christopher M. Montes, Carolyn Fox, Álvaro Sanz-Sáez, Shawn P. Serbin, Etsushi Kumagai, Matheus D. Krause, Alencar Xavier, James E. Specht, William D. Beavis, Carl J. Bernacchi, Brian W. Diers, Elizabeth A. Ainsworth

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Photosynthesis is a key target to improve crop production in many species including soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. A challenge is that phenotyping photosynthetic traits by traditional approaches is slow and destructive. There is proof-of-concept for leaf hyperspectral reflectance as a rapid method to model photosynthetic traits. However, the crucial step of demonstrating that hyperspectral approaches can be used to advance understanding of the genetic architecture of photosynthetic traits is untested. To address this challenge, we used full-range (500-2,400 nm) leaf reflectance spectroscopy to build partial least squares regression models to estimate leaf traits, including the rate-limiting processes of photosynthesis, …

The Heritage Family Study: A Review Of The Effects Of Exercise Training On Cardiometabolic Health, With Insights Into Molecular Transducers, Mark A. Sarzynski Ph.D., Faha, Facsm, Treva K. Rice, Jean-Pierre Després, Louis Pérusse, Angelo Tremblay, Philip R. Stanforth, André Tchernof, Jacob L. Barber, Francesco Falciani, Clary Clish, James S. Skinner, D. C. Rao, Claude Bouchard

Faculty Publications

The aim of the HERITAGE Family Study was to investigate individual differences in response to a standardized endurance exercise program, the role of familial aggregation, and the genetics of response levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiovascular disease and diabetes risk factors. Here we summarize the findings and their potential implications for cardiometabolic health and cardiorespiratory fitness. It begins with overviews of background and planning, recruitment, testing and exercise program protocol, quality control measures, and other relevant organizational issues. A summary of findings is then provided on cardiorespiratory fitness, exercise hemodynamics, insulin and glucose metabolism, lipid and lipoprotein profiles, adiposity and …

Screening Maize (Zea Mays L.) Genotypes For Phosphorus Deficiency At The Seedling Stage, Md. Golam Azam, Umakanta Sarker, Md. Shalim Uddin

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

A study was conducted at Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute's greenhouse with 48 maize genotypes through hydroponic culture. Two levels of treatment, namely, low phosphorus (LP) (2.5 × 10^-6 mol L^-1 of KH₂PO₄) and normal phosphorus (NP) (2.5 × 10^-4 mol L^-1 of KH₂PO₄), were used for this study. Morphologically, plants behave differently in low phosphorus conditions than in normal phosphorus environments. Large augmented roots were found in the plant in low phosphorus conditions. The results revealed that chlorophyll contents, shoot length, root length shoot dry weight, root dry …

Quantitative Analysis Of Production ‎And Its Components For T.Durum ‎Wheat Varieties Under The ‎Conditions Of The Syrian Coast, Paul Khoury ‎, Salih Kebili

Jerash for Research and Studies Journal مجلة جرش للبحوث والدراسات

This study was carried during 1998-2000 to evaluated six varieties of American and Asian durum ‎wheat belonging to the international group of Vavilov Institute for plant breeding (VIR), and ‎four European varieties in traduced under the conditions of the coastal area of Syria. These ‎varieties were compared with two local varieties in terms of important economic and ‎agricultural traits. The best variety will be selected for subsequent use in breeding programs ‎‎(Selection or Hybridization). A statistical analysis was performs, which showed significant ‎differences among varieties and between varieties and the control. Correlation and regression ‎analysis in addition to several other …

Quantification And Repeated Measurements Of Conformation Traits In Replacement Females To Optimize Sow Longevity, Melanie D. Trenhaile Grannemann

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The objectives were to 1) assess the reliability of objective conformation trait measurements between evaluators, 2) evaluate effects of dietary energy and lysine during development and housing system during first gestation on longevity, reproductive performance, and conformation, 3) characterize conformation changes throughout life, 4) identify phenotypic associations between conformation and longevity, 5) estimate heritability of conformation traits, and 6) assess genetic relationships between conformation traits measured throughout life in sows. Sows (n = 622) were fed a standard, energy restricted, or standard energy with increased lysine diet during gilt development and housed in either a group pen or stall during …

Heterosis And Combining Ability Of Morphological And Forage Quality Predictors Of Silage Corn Incentral Valley Of Mexico, B. Alarcon‐Zuniga, A. Bata‐Valverde, A. Betanzos‐Betanzos, M. Meneses‐Mayo, M. Crosby‐Galvan

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

No abstract provided.

Relationship Of Underline Scores And Production Traits In Beefmaster Cattle, Bryan R. Kutz

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to establish the relationship of underline scores (UDLS), production traits, and conformation scores in Beefmaster cattle born between 1976 through 2008. Records provided by Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) were analyzed. Certified classifiers approved by the BBU recorded scores. Sizes and shapes of the underlines differentiated the scores (1-4). A score of one was used to designate the least amount of navel flap or sheath and a score of four represents the maximum amount of naval flap or sheath accepted for registration in the BBU. In this study the relationship of the traits was determined …

Heritability And Genetic Correlations Of Forage Yield Traits In Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa L.) For Central Valley Of Mexico, B. Alarcon‐Zuniga, R. Perdomo‐Gomez

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

No abstract provided.

Genetic Diversity For Agro-Morphological Characters And Nutritional Compositions Of Some Local Faba Bean (Vicia Faba L.) Genotypes, Aybegün Ton, Tolga Karaköy, Adem Emi̇n Anlarsal, Meltem Türkeri̇

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

This study was carried out in Mediterranean climate and under rainfed conditions in Turkey for a period of three years throughout the growing seasons of 2014/2015, 2015/2016 and 2016/2017. It was conducted in a randomized complete block experimental design (RCBD) with three replications. In present study, genetic diversity for agro-morphological characters and macro/ microelements were investigated in sixteen promising local faba bean genotypes originated from Turkey. According to the results of the study, mean grain yield varied from 2320 kg ha-1 (Tekirdağ-39) to 3130 kg ha-1 (Burdur-50). 100-grain weight and branches per plant had high heritability and genetic advance as …

Genetic Parameter Estimates Of Fear, Growth, And Carcass Characteristics In Japanese Quail, Doğan Nari̇nç, Bariş Aybars Genç

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The aim of this study was to estimate the heritability values of tonic immobility duration, several growth traits, and their genetic relationships with some slaughter traits. Fearfulness reaction was examined using tonic immobility (TI) response at 5 and 6 weeks of age. All birds were slaughtered at 6 weeks of age to measure carcass yield (CY), and percentage of breast (BY), leg (LY), wing (WY), abdominal fat (AFY). Heritability estimates for the TI durations and body weights measured at 5 and 6 weeks of age were 0.16, 0.20, and 0.46, 0.44, respectively. Heritability estimates for growth curve parameters and inflection …

Genomic Analysis Of Igg Antibody Response To Common Pathogens In Commercial Sows In Health-Challenged Herds, Leticia P. Sanglard, Piggen Canada, Benny E. Mote, Philip Willson, John C.S. Harding, Graham S. Plastow, Jack C.M. Dekkers, Nick V.L. Serão

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Losses due to infectious diseases are one of the main factors affecting productivity in the swine industry, motivating the investigation of disease resilience-related traits for genetic selection. However, these traits are not expected to be expressed in the nucleus herds, where selection is performed. One alternative is to use information from the commercial level to identify and select nucleus animals genetically superior for coping with pathogen challenges. In this study, we analyzed the genetic basis of antibody (Ab) response to common infectious pathogens in health-challenged commercial swine herds as potential indicator traits for disease resilience, including Ab response to influenza …

Genetic Variability In Candidate Plus Trees Of Acacia Nilotica--An Important Fodder Tree Under Agroforestry System, S. Vimala Devi, Vishal Singh, A. K. Handa, A. Datta, A. R. Uthappa

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The realization of the effects of climate change redirected the focus on agroforestry, which deals with the management of land use system for increased sustainability. Enhancement of fodder production per unit area per unit time is essential to meet the demand from livestock sector for which different land use systems are being developed. Acacia nilotica is one of the important agroforestry species which fits into in silvipastoral system under agroforestry, in arid and semi-arid regions. It is known as babool, kikkar or Indian gum arabic, which has ability to improve nitrogen content of soil through its interaction with symbiotic bacteria …

Genetic Evaluation Of Leucaena Genotypes In Bundelkhand Region Of Central India, A. R. Uthappa, Sangram Bhanudas Chavan, V. K. Gupta, S. K. Dhyani, A. K. Handa, S. Vimala Devi, K. B. Sridhar

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

During the 1970s and 1980s, Leucaena was known as the “miracle tree” native to Central America and Mexico, because of its worldwide success as a long-lived and highly nutritious forage tree. It is estimated to cover 2-5 million ha area worldwide. The genus Leucaena is one of the most widely grown tropical fodder trees and is the subject of extensive research. This is mainly due to its long life span; high productivity even under regular defoliation; its adaptation to wide climatic and edaphic tolerances; excellent palatability and digestibility and many uses including wood for timber and fuel wood. The species …

Lamb Wool Shedding Is A Good Predictor Of Ewe Wool Shedding, Napoleón Vargas Jurado, Larry Kuehn, Ronald M. Lewis

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Interest in reducing labour costs due to shearing has led to development of breed types that shed their wool naturally. Selection at young ages can facilitate response. Reliability of predictions of adult from lamb wool shedding (WS) is thus key in the design of breeding programmes to increase shedding. Our objectives were to estimate heritabilities and genetic relationships between WS measured once in lambs and repeatedly in ewes and to assess the accuracy of lamb WS EBV to predict ewe WS EBV based on a multi‐trait threshold or a repeatability model. Data were 4,971 lamb and 3,335 ewe WS records …

Estimation Of Genetic Parameters For Weaning Weight Of Awassi Lambs By Using Classical And Bayesian Methods, Adi̇le Tatliyer, Si̇nan Baş

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The aim of this study was to estimate variance components and genetic parameters with six different animal models and two approaches (Bayesian and classical) on weaning weight (WW) of Awassi lambs. For this purpose, the data were obtained from Sheep and Goat Breeders' Associations of Osmaniye in Turkey. The data of 4971 progenies (from 80 rams and 1917 ewes) born between 2012 and 2016 raised under traditional conditions were evaluated. Year/season, sex, birth type, dam age, and flock size were fixed effects. All these effects except birth type were found statistically significant (P < 0.01). The overall least squares mean of weaning weight (WW) was obtained as 17.93 ± 0.05 kg. Variance components and genetic parameters were estimated by MCMC algorithms with R (for Bayesian approach) and by REML procedure with MTDFREML (for classical approach) programs. The Akaike information criterion (AIC), the log likelihood function (-2logL), and deviance information criterion (DIC) values were taken as criteria to choose the best model. Direct heritabilities of WW ranged from 0.20 to 0.35 across the models. The genetic correlation between additive genetic effect and maternal effect ranged from 0.00 to 1.00. The results were found similar across methodologies and maternal additive genetic variance resulted in lower than direct additive genetic variance. According to this study, both approaches are suitable for estimation of genetic parameters in the case of low sample size. However, the Bayesian approach, becoming increasingly popular, may be feasible to estimate variancecovariance components and genetic parameters.

Heritability And Genetic Correlations Between Weight Gains In Murrah, Mediterranean, And Jaffarabadi Buffaloes Raised In Brazil, Employing Bayesian Inference, Marcos Paulo Gonçalves De Rezende, Paulo Luiz Souza Carneiro, Johnny Iglesias Mendes Araujo, André Campêlo Araujo, Barbara Machado Campos, Riccardo Moretti, Leonardo Gomes Sitorsky, Wéverton José Lima Fonseca, Riccardo Bozzi, Carlos Henrique Mendes Malhado

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The request for products of buffalo origin (beef and milk) has been growing throughout the years, and to meet this demand it is necessary to obtain animals with high levels of performance guaranteed through generations. Thus, it is of paramount importance to know the heritability of the desired traits in order to genetically improve the populations. The objective was to estimate the genetic parameters for weight gain from birth to weaning (BWGW) and from weaning to 12 months of age (WGW12) of Murrah (4675), Mediterranean (405), and Jaffarabadi (766) buffaloes raised in Brazil. Bayesian inference with the bi-trait model was …

Evaluation Of Animal Models For Genetic Analysis Of Growth Performance In Landlly Pigs, Snehasmita Panda, Gyanendra Kumar Gaur, Nihar Ranjan Sahoo, Sheikh Firdous Ahmad, Pruthviraj Devamma Ramachandrappa, Panch Kishor Bharti

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Selection of the most appropriate animal model for the estimation of genetic parameters for body weight was carried out using restricted maximum likelihood (REML) procedure at birth and thereafter at 3, 6, and 8 weeks of age in Landlly pigs. Six different models were fitted for each trait; by inclusion or exclusion of maternal additive genetic effect, maternal permanent environmental effect, and covariance between direct and maternal additive genetic effects. Records on 1968 piglets, born in 4 parities of 131 gilts/sows, sired by 68 boars during a period of 5 years from 2014 to 2018 were used. In order to …

Selection For Improved Saccharification Efficiency In Alfalfa Stems Assessed By Enzyme-Released Glucose, Annick Bertrand, Yves Castonguay, Réal Michaud, Marc-Olivier Duceppe

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) has a high potential for sustainable bioethanol production, particularly because of its low reliance on N fertilizer (Samac et al. 2006). Genetic improvement for the accumulation of readily fermentable non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) and the saccharification of structural carbohydrate (SC) could significantly increase ethanol conversion rate. Genetic gains for these traits are tributary to the availability of screening techniques for the precise identification of superior genotypes with increased potential for the production of fermentable carbohydrates.

When assessing the genetic variability of parameters linked to cellulosic ethanol production (concentrations of NSC and SC), our results showed …

Morphological Divergence Among Progeny Of Macroptilium Lathyroides Accessions From The Semi-Arid Region Of Pernambuco, Brazil, Mércia V. F. Dos Santos, Gabriella P. De Albuquerque, Márcio V. Da Cunha, Mário De A. Lira Jr., José C. B. Dubeux Jr., Marta G. S. Da Silva, Mário De A. Lira, Alexandre C. L. De Mello

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Macroptilium is a legume genus with approximately 20 species, usually annual or biennial, herbaceous and distributed mainly in the Americas. It is widely used as a forage resource in grasslands and usually fixes atmospheric N. Martins et al. (2001) indicated that half-sib family selection with progeny testing is the most common plant breeding method used in Brazil. In the scientific literature, however, there are few studies dedicated to Macroptilium spp.

This study evaluated morphological divergence among Macroptilium spp. progeny from accessions collected in 4 counties located in the semi-arid region of Pernambuco State, NE Brazil.

Estimation Of Genetic Components Related To Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis Susceptibility In Angus And Angus Derived Cattle Produced In The Southern United States, Eric Oxford

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The economic impact of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) has been documented in many parts of the world. Many researchers have observed that prevention of this disease is very difficult given current methodologies. This is primarily due to the multifactorial nature of this disease. The objective of this dissertation was to determine the impact of IBK on calf performance and estimate genetic parameters, heritability and estimated breeding values for IBK susceptibility. Data were analyzed using PROC GLIMMIX of SAS; while genetic parameters were estimated using a linear animal model for both single- and two-traits through MTDFREML. Additional evaluations calculated heritability using …

The Heritability Of Pampiniform Plexus Vessel Size And Varicocoele In Boars, Tasha R. Gruhot, Lea A. Rempel, Matthew L. Spangler, Stephen D. Kachman, Benny E. Mote

Department of Animal Science: Faculty Publications

Ultrasonography was used to capture a coronal–sagittal image of the veins of the pampiniform plexus (PP) and the testicular artery of 327 maternal‐line boars at approximately 6 months of age at the University of Nebraska—Lincoln. Varicocoele was diagnosed by two methods. Method 1 diagnosed varicocoele when the average vessel area on one side of the scrotum was 1.5 times larger than the average vessel area on the other side of the scrotum. Method 2 diagnosed varicocoele when the average vessel area on one side of the scrotum of a boar was 1.5 times larger than the average vessel on the …

The Role Of Genotype And Production Environment In Determining The Cooking Time Of Dry Beans (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.), Karen A. Cichy, Jason A. Wiesinger, Matthew Berry, Susan Nchimbi‐Msolla, Deidre Fourie, Timothy G. Perch, Daniel Ambechew, Phillip N. Miklas

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a nutrient‐dense food rich in proteins and minerals. Although a dietary staple in numerous regions, including Eastern and Southern Africa, greater utilization is limited by its long cooking time as compared with other staple foods. A fivefold genetic variability for cooking time has been identified for P. vulgaris, and to effectively incorporate the cooking time trait into bean breeding programs, knowledge of how genotypes behave across diverse environments is essential. Fourteen bean genotypes selected from market classes important to global consumers (yellow, cranberry, light red kidney, red mottled, and brown) were grown …

Identification Of Climate And Genetic Factors That Control Fat Content And Fatty Acid Composition Of Theobroma Cacao L. Beans, Guiliana M. Mustiga, Joe Morrissey, Joseph Conrad Stack, Ashley Duval, Stefan Royaert, Johannes Jansen, Carolina Bizzotto, Cristiano Villela-Dias, Linkai Mei, Edgar B. Cahoon, Ed Seguine, Jean Philippe Marelli, Juan Carlos Motamayor

Center for Plant Science Innovation: Faculty and Staff Publications

The main ingredients of chocolate are usually cocoa powder, cocoa butter, and sugar. Both the powder and the butter are extracted from the beans of the cacao tree (Theobroma cacao L.). The cocoa butter represents the fat in the beans and possesses a unique fatty acid profile that results in chocolate’s characteristic texture and mouthfeel. Here, we used a linkage mapping population and phenotypic data of 3,292 samples from 420 progeny which led to the identification of 27 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for fatty acid composition and six QTLs for fat content. Progeny showed extensive variation in fat levels …