Analysis of genetic diversity and the determination of relationships among western Mediterranean horse breeds using microsatellite markers.
Abstract: The distribution of genetic diversity and the genetic relationships among western Mediterranean horse breeds were investigated using microsatellite markers. The examined sample included seven Spanish and three Italian local horse breeds and populations, plus a Spanish Thoroughbred outgroup. The total number of animals examined was 682 (on average 62 animals per breed; range 20-122). The microsatellite marker set analysed provided 128 alleles (10.7 alleles per locus). Within-breed genetic diversity was always high (>0.70), with breeds contributing about 8% of the total genetic variability. The mean molecular coancestry of the entire population examined was 0.205, Losino being the breed that contributed most. In addition to Nei's standard and Reynolds' genetic distances, pair-wise kinship distance and molecular coancestry were estimated. Remarkably similar breed rankings were obtained with all methods. Clustering analysis provided an accurate representation of the current genetic relationships among the breeds. Determining coancestry is useful for analysing genetic diversity distribution between and within breeds and provides a good framework for jointly analysing molecular markers and pedigree information. An integrated analysis was undertaken to obtain information on the population dynamics in western Mediterranean native horse populations, and to better determine conservation priorities.
Publication Date: 2006-09-13 PubMed ID: 16965404DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0388.2006.00603.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research aims to analyze the distribution of genetic diversity and relationships among different breeds of western Mediterranean horses using a specific genetic identifier, called microsatellite markers. It also highlights the application of genetic markers and pedigree information in understanding population dynamics and determining conservation priorities.
Study Approach
- The researchers used microsatellite markers, a type of DNA sequence that often varies in length among different individuals of a species, to analyze the genetic diversity and relationships among different horse breeds in the Mediterranean region.
- The sample included seven breeds from Spain, three from Italy, and a Spanish Thoroughbred as an outgroup—an external comparator to those being closely examined. This sample consisted of 682 horses, with an average of 62 animals per breed, and a range between 20 and 122.
Findings
- An examination of the microsatellite markers identified 128 distinct alleles (different forms of a gene), or an average of 10.7 alleles per locus (specific location of a gene on a chromosome).
- Within each breed, the genetic diversity was high (greater than 0.70), with each breed contributing approximately 8% to the total genetic variability observed.
- The mean molecular coancestry (a measure of the genetic similarity between individuals) of the entire population was found to be 0.205, with the ‘Losino’ breed contributing the most.
Ranking and Clustering Analysis
- In addition to standard genetic and Reynolds’ genetic distances (different measures of genetic variation), pairwise kinship distance (a measure of the genetic relationship between pairs of individuals) and molecular coancestry were calculated.
- Interestingly, similar ranking of breeds was observed using all these methods.
- Clustering analysis (a statistical method used to group similar individuals or breeds together) provided an accurate representation of current genetic relationships among the breeds.
Importance of Coancestry Analysis
- Coancestry analysis helps in understanding the distribution of genetic diversity within and between breeds and offers a valuable tool for analyzing molecular markers alongside pedigree information.
- An integrated analysis involving genetic markers and pedigree information allows better understanding of population dynamics in native horse populations of the western Mediterranean. This can aid in determining conservation priorities for these breeds.
Cite This Article
APA
Marletta D, Tupac-Yupanqui I, Bordonaro S, García D, Guastella AM, Criscione A, Cañón J, Dunner S.
(2006).
Analysis of genetic diversity and the determination of relationships among western Mediterranean horse breeds using microsatellite markers.
J Anim Breed Genet, 123(5), 315-325.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0388.2006.00603.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- DACPA, Sez. di Scienze delle Produzioni Animali, Facoltà di Agraria, Università degli studi di Catania, Catania, Italy. d.marletta@unict.it
MeSH Terms
- Alleles
- Animals
- Cluster Analysis
- Genetic Variation
- Horses / classification
- Horses / genetics
- Italy
- Microsatellite Repeats
- Phylogeny
- Spain
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Seo JH, Park KD, Lee HK, Kong HS. Genetic diversity of Halla horses using microsatellite markers. J Anim Sci Technol 2016;58:40.
- Al-Mamun HA, Clark SA, Kwan P, Gondro C. Genome-wide linkage disequilibrium and genetic diversity in five populations of Australian domestic sheep. Genet Sel Evol 2015 Nov 24;47:90.
- Petersen JL, Mickelson JR, Cothran EG, Andersson LS, Axelsson J, Bailey E, Bannasch D, Binns MM, Borges AS, Brama P, da Câmara Machado A, Distl O, Felicetti M, Fox-Clipsham L, Graves KT, Guérin G, Haase B, Hasegawa T, Hemmann K, Hill EW, Leeb T, Lindgren G, Lohi H, Lopes MS, McGivney BA, Mikko S, Orr N, Penedo MC, Piercy RJ, Raekallio M, Rieder S, Røed KH, Silvestrelli M, Swinburne J, Tozaki T, Vaudin M, M Wade C, McCue ME. Genetic diversity in the modern horse illustrated from genome-wide SNP data. PLoS One 2013;8(1):e54997.
- Leroy G, Callède L, Verrier E, Mériaux JC, Ricard A, Danchin-Burge C, Rognon X. Genetic diversity of a large set of horse breeds raised in France assessed by microsatellite polymorphism. Genet Sel Evol 2009 Jan 5;41(1):5.
- Ahlawat S, Niranjan SK, Arora R, Vijh RK, Kumar A, Sharma U, Raheja M, Popli K, Yadav S, Mehta SC. Advancing equine genomics: the development of a high density Axiom_Ashwa SNP chip for Indian horses and ponies. Funct Integr Genomics 2024 Oct 23;24(6):195.
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