Abstract: We determined the genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships among 26 Chinese indigenous horse breeds and two introduced horse breeds by genotyping these animals for 27 microsatellite loci. The 26 Chinese horse breeds come from 12 different provinces. Two introduced horse breeds were the Mongolia B Horse from Mongolia and the Thoroughbred Horse from the UK. A total of 330 alleles were detected, and the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.719 (Elenchuns) to 0.780 (Dali). The mean number of alleles among the horse breeds ranged from 6.74 (Hequ) to 8.81 (Debao). Although there were abundant genetic variations found, the genetic differentiation was low between the Chinese horses, which displayed only 2.4% of the total genetic variance among the different breeds. However, genetic differentiation (pairwise FST) among Chinese horses, although moderate, was still apparent and varied from 0.001 for the Guizou-Luoping pair to 0.064 for the Jingjiang-Elenchuns pair. The genetic differentiation patterns and genetic relationships among Chinese horse breeds were also consistent with their geographical distribution. The Thoroughbred and Mongolia B breeds could be discerned as two distinct breeds, but the Mongolia B horse in particular suffered genetic admixture with Chinese horses. The Chinese breeds could be divided into five major groups, i.e. the south or along the Yangtze river group (Bose, Debao, Wenshan, Lichuan, Jianchang, Guizhou, Luoping, Jinjiang and Dali), the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau group (Chaidamu, Hequ, Datong, Yushu, Tibet Grassland and Tibet Valley), the Northeast of China group (Elenchuns, Jilin and Heihe), the Northwest of China group (Kazakh, Yili and Yanqi) and the Inner Mongolia group (Mongolia A, Sanhe, Xinihe,Wuzhumuqin and Sengeng). This grouping pattern was further supported by principal component analysis and structure analysis.
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research article discusses the study conducted to evaluate the genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships among 26 Chinese indigenous horse breeds and two introduced breeds using 27 microsatellite markers.
Research Objective
The study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships of different Chinese and few introduced horse breeds.
Methodology
The researchers utilized 27 microsatellite markers to genotype 26 Chinese horse breeds from 12 provinces and two introduced breeds, the Mongolia B Horse and the Thoroughbred Horse from the UK.
Their results were based on a total of 330 detected alleles and expected heterozygosity which ranged from 0.719 (Elenchuns) to 0.780 (Dali) among the horse breeds.
Findings
The study identified abundant genetic variations among the horse breeds. However, the genetic differentiation between the Chinese horses was low, indicating only 2.4% of the total genetic variance among the different breeds.
Despite low differentiation, moderate levels of genetic differentiation, measured through pairwise FST values, were found among Chinese horses. The highest differentiation was noted between the Jingjiang and Elenchuns pair.
The patterns of genetic differentiation and relationships among Chinese horse breeds were found to be consistent with their geographical distribution.
The Thoroughbred and Mongolia B breeds appeared as distinct breeds, yet the Mongolia B horse was particularly noted to have genetic admixture with Chinese horses.
The Chinese breeds were divided into five major groups based on their locations, namely South or Along the Yangtze river group, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau group, Northeast of China group, Northwest of China group, and the Inner Mongolia group. This grouping was further supported by principal component analysis and structure analysis.
Significance
This study provides a detailed insight into the genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships of various Chinese indigenous horse breeds. It also highlights the genetic differences among these horses based on geographical distribution and the effect of introduced breeds on their genetic makeup.
The findings of this research can aid in the conservational strategies for these indigenous horse breeds and in breeding programs to maintain or increase their genetic diversity.
Cite This Article
APA
Ling YH, Ma YH, Guan WJ, Cheng YJ, Wang YP, Han JL, Mang L, Zhao QJ, He XH, Pu YB, Fu BL.
(2010).
Evaluation of the genetic diversity and population structure of Chinese indigenous horse breeds using 27 microsatellite markers.
Anim Genet, 42(1), 56-65.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2052.2010.02067.x
Liao X, Shi X, Hu H, Han X, Jiang K, Liu Y, Xiong G. Comparative Metabolomics Analysis Reveals the Unique Nutritional Characteristics of Breed and Feed on Muscles in Chinese Taihe Black-Bone Silky Fowl. Metabolites 2022 Sep 27;12(10).
Zeng L, Dang R, Dong H, Li F, Chen H, Lei C. Genetic diversity and relationships of Chinese donkeys using microsatellite markers. Arch Anim Breed 2019;62(1):181-187.