Chinese Mongolian horses may retain early domestic male genetic lineages yet to be discovered.
Abstract: The Mongolian horse represents one of the most ancient extant horse populations. In this study we determined the male-specific region of the Y chromosome (MSY) haplotype distribution in 60 Chinese Mongolian horses representing five distinct populations. Cosmopolitan male lineages were predominant in horses from one improved (Sanhe), one Chinese Mongolian subtype (Baicha Iron Hoof) and one indigenous (Abaga Black) population. In contrast, autochthonous Y chromosome diversity was evident among the two landrace populations (Wushen and Wuzhumuqin), as the majority of their MSY haplotypes were situated at root nodes in a network. Our results also suggest gene flow between Chinese Mongolian and Arabian horses, as an appreciable number of Wuzhumuqin horses carried haplotypes that are typically observed in Arabian horses. Although most horses carried modern haplotypes as a direct result of recent breed improvement, authentic Chinese Mongolian horses retain an ancient signature of paternal lineages that has not previously been described in extant horse populations. Therefore, further characterization of MSY variation in these populations will be important for the discovery of lost diversity in modern domestic horses and also for understanding the evolutionary history of equine paternal lineages.
© 2019 Stichting International Foundation for Animal Genetics.
Publication Date: 2019-05-09 PubMed ID: 31073991DOI: 10.1111/age.12780Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The study investigates the genetic heritage of Chinese Mongolian horses, highlighting the preservation of ancient male genetic lineages in certain populations of these animals.
Background of the Research
- The noted subject of this research is the Mongolian horse, seen as one of the oldest existing horse populations.
- Researchers wanted to explore the distribution of the male-specific region of the Y chromosome (MSY) haplotype – a set of genes inherited from one parent – in 60 Chinese Mongolian horses.
- These horses were sampled from five different populations, determined by differing environmental and genetic influences over time.
Key Findings
- The study found that the majority of the horses, from three of the examined populations (the improved Sanhe population, the Baicha Iron Hoof subtype, and the indigenous Abaga Black population), primarily carry common global male genetic lineages. Thus, these lineages likely came about as a result of interactions with other horse breeds.
- On the other hand, the Wushen and Wuzhumuqin landrace populations stood out for possessing unique Y chromosome diversity. The majority of their MSY haplotypes were located at root nodes in a network, meaning they seem to retain an old genetic lineage.
- Shedding light on possible genetic mingling, the study also noted an interesting gene flow between Chinese Mongolian and Arabian horses, as many Wuzhumuqin horses shared haplotypes typically observed in Arabian horses.
Significance of the Study
- While many horses carried modern haplotypes, characterized as a direct result of recent breed improvement, the study identified that authentic Chinese Mongolian horses carry an ancient signature of male lineages.
- These ancient lineages were not previously described in extant horse populations, making this discovery vital for understanding the historical picture of horse evolution.
- The results assert the need for further characterization of MSY variation in these populations for the discovery of lost diversity in modern domestic horses and for understanding the evolutionary history of equine paternal lineages.
Cite This Article
APA
Han H, Wallner B, Rigler D, MacHugh DE, Manglai D, Hill EW.
(2019).
Chinese Mongolian horses may retain early domestic male genetic lineages yet to be discovered.
Anim Genet, 50(4), 399-402.
https://doi.org/10.1111/age.12780 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, D04V1W8, Ireland.
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, 1210, Austria.
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, 1210, Austria.
- UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, D04V1W8, Ireland.
- UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, D04V1W8, Ireland.
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, 010018, China.
- UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, D04V1W8, Ireland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Domestic
- China
- Haplotypes
- Horses / classification
- Horses / genetics
- Male
- Phylogeny
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
Grant Funding
- 11/PI/1166 / Science Foundation Ireland
- China Scholarship Council
Citations
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