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Home / Equine Research Bank / PLoS One / Genetic analysis of the endangered Cleveland Bay horse: A ce...
PloS one2020; 15(10); e0240410; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240410

Genetic analysis of the endangered Cleveland Bay horse: A century of breeding characterised by pedigree and microsatellite data.

Abstract: The Cleveland Bay horse is one of the oldest equines in the United Kingdom, with pedigree data going back almost 300 years. The studbook is essentially closed and because of this, there are concerns about loss of genetic variation across generations. The breed is one of five equine breeds listed as "critical" (<300 registered adult breeding females) by the UK Rare Breeds Survival Trust in their annual Watchlist. Due to their critically endangered status, the current breadth of their genetic diversity is of concern, and assessment of this can lead to improved breed management strategies. Herein, both genealogical and molecular methods are combined in order to assess founder representation, lineage, and allelic diversity. Data from 15 microsatellite loci from a reference population of 402 individuals determined a loss of 91% and 48% of stallion and dam lines, respectively. Only 3 ancestors determine 50% of the genome in the living population, with 70% of maternal lineage being derived from 3 founder females, and all paternal lineages traced back to a single founder stallion. Methods and theory are described in detail in order to demonstrate the scope of this analysis for wider conservation strategies. We quantitatively demonstrate the critical nature of the genetic resources within the breed and offer a perspective on implementing this data in considered breed management strategies.
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Publication Date: 2020-10-29 PubMed ID: 33119607PubMed Central: PMC7595272DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240410Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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.

This research focused on the genetic analysis of the endangered Cleveland Bay horse using pedigree data and microsatellite data. It identified a notable loss in genetic variation and offers perspectives on how to apply these findings in breed management strategies.

Purpose and Methodology

  • The research seeks to investigate the genetic variation of the Cleveland Bay horse breed, one of the oldest equine breeds. The concern came from the horse breed being listed as “critical” due to its critically endangered status and the possibility of loss of genetic variation spanning over 300 years of breeding.
  • To evaluate the extent of genetic diversity, the researchers utilized both genealogical and molecular methods. This included assessment of founder representation, lineage, and allelic diversity.

Results and Findings

  • Data were collected from 15 microsatellite loci from a reference population of 402 individuals. The analysis discovered a considerable loss in genetic diversity, with losses of 91% and 48% in stallion and dam lines, respectively.
  • The study found that only 3 ancestors determine 50% of the genome in the living population. Furthermore, 70% of maternal lineage stemmed from 3 founder females, and all paternal lineages traced back to a single founder stallion. This indicates a high degree of genetic bottlenecking in the population.

Implications and Recommendations

  • The research findings underline the critical nature of the breed’s genetic resources, emphasising the urgency of conservation efforts to maintain this breed.
  • The insights derived from the study provide an opportunity to develop directed and effective breed management strategies that can prevent further loss of genetic variety within the breed.
  • The methods and theories described in the paper have potential applications in wider conservation strategies, not just for the Cleveland Bay horse breed but also for other endangered species.

Cite This Article

APA
Dell A, Curry M, Yarnell K, Starbuck G, Wilson PB. (2020). Genetic analysis of the endangered Cleveland Bay horse: A century of breeding characterised by pedigree and microsatellite data. PLoS One, 15(10), e0240410. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0240410

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 10
Pages: e0240410

Researcher Affiliations

Dell, Andrew
  • Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lincoln, Brayford Way, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, United Kingdom.
  • Rare Breeds Survival Trust, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, United Kingdom.
Curry, Mark
  • Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lincoln, Brayford Way, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, United Kingdom.
Yarnell, Kelly
  • School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Brackenhurst Campus, Southwell, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom.
Starbuck, Gareth
  • School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Brackenhurst Campus, Southwell, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom.
Wilson, Philippe B
  • Rare Breeds Survival Trust, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, United Kingdom.
  • School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Brackenhurst Campus, Southwell, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Breeding
  • Endangered Species
  • Female
  • Founder Effect
  • Genetic Testing / veterinary
  • Genetic Variation
  • Horses / classification
  • Horses / genetics
  • Male
  • Microsatellite Repeats
  • Pedigree
  • Population Density
  • United Kingdom

Conflict of Interest Statement

No.

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