Genetic variation in Przewalski’s horses, with special focus on the last wild caught mare, 231 Orlitza III.
Abstract: In our continuing efforts to document genetic diversity in Przewalski's horses and relatedness with domestic horses, we report genetic variation at 22 loci of blood group and protein polymorphisms and 29 loci of DNA (microsatellite) polymorphisms. The loci have been assigned by linkage or synteny mapping to 20 autosomes and the X chromosome of the domestic horse (plus four loci unassigned to a chromosome). With cumulative data from tests of 568 Przewalski's horses using blood, hair or tooth samples, no species-defining markers were identified, however a few markers were present in the wild species but not in domestic horses. Inheritance patterns and linkage relationships reported in domestic horses appeared to be conserved in Przewalski's horses. A derived type for the last wild caught mare 231 Orlitza III provided evidence for markers apparently not found in (or not currently available by descent from) the other species founders that were captured at the end of the nineteenth century. This information has been critical to the development of parentage analyses in the studbook population of Przewalski's horses at Askania Nova, at one time the largest herd of captive animals and the source of stock for reintroduction efforts. Some horses in the study showed genetic incompatibilities with their sire or dam, contradicting published studbook information. In many cases alternative parentage could be assigned from living animals. To assist in identification of correct parentage, DNA marker types for deceased horses were established from archived materials (teeth) or derived from offspring. Genetic markers were present in pedigreed animals whose origin could not be accounted for from founders. Genetic distance analysis of erythrocyte protein, electrophoretic and microsatellite markers in Przewlaski's horses and ten breeds of domestic horse place the Przewalski's horse as an outgroup to domestic horses, introgression events from domestic horses not withstanding.
Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel
Publication Date: 2004-02-19 PubMed ID: 14970708DOI: 10.1159/000075754Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- Non-P.H.S.
Summary
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The study explores genetic diversity in Przewalski’s horses, comparing it to domestic horses through an analysis of 22 blood group and protein polymorphism loci and 29 DNA polymorphism loci. Although there were no definitive species markers, some unique markers were identified in Przewalski’s horses. The genetic profile of the last known wild mare, Orlitza III, was found to have certain markers not found in other horses. However, the study also revealed discrepancies in parentage within the studbook population, leading to the reevaluation and correction of parentage records using DNA data.
Genetic Variation Analysis
- The analysis was carried out on 51 loci in total, 22 of which were blood group and protein polymorphisms and 29 DNA polymorphisms. These loci had been previously identified by linkage or synteny mapping in domestic horses and assigned to autosomes or the X chromosome.
- The diversity study was conducted on a sample of 568 Przewalski’s horses using their blood, hair, or tooth samples. Despite the extensive analysis, the researchers found no species-defining markers that could clearly distinguish Przewalski’s horses from domestic ones. However, they did identify a few markers that were unique to the wild species.
Conservation of Inheritance Patterns
- The study found that inheritance patterns and linkage relationships observed in domestic horses were also present in Przewalski’s horses. This finding suggests a genetic closeness between the two species and the conservation of genetic traits over time.
Insight into the Genetic Makeup of the Last Wild Caught Mare
- The last wild caught mare, 231 Orlitza III, was analyzed in the study. Her genetic makeup revealed markers not found or unavailable by descent from the other founder species captured in the late 19th century.
- This discovery is key to the development of parentage analyses being carried out in the studbook population of Przewalski’s horses at Askania Nova, a significant source of captive animals for re-introduction efforts.
Contradictions in Studbook Information
- During the study, the researchers discovered genetic mismatches between some horses and their registered sire or dam. This led to the reevaluation and correction of parentage information in many instances.
- To ensure accurate record-keeping, DNA marker types of deceased horses were established using archived materials or derived from their offspring.
Genetic Distance Analysis
- A genetic distance analysis was conducted using erythrocyte protein, electrophoresis, and microsatellite markers in Przewalski’s horses and ten breeds of domestic horses.
- The result of this analysis placed Przewalski’s horses as an outgroup to domestic horses, suggesting some level of genetic deviation despite possible introgression events from domestic horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Bowling AT, Zimmermann W, Ryder O, Penado C, Peto S, Chemnick L, Yasinetskaya N, Zharkikh T.
(2004).
Genetic variation in Przewalski’s horses, with special focus on the last wild caught mare, 231 Orlitza III.
Cytogenet Genome Res, 102(1-4), 226-234.
https://doi.org/10.1159/000075754 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Wild / genetics
- Chromosome Mapping / methods
- Chromosome Mapping / veterinary
- Female
- Founder Effect
- Genetic Linkage / genetics
- Genetic Markers / genetics
- Genetic Variation / genetics
- Genetics, Population / methods
- Horses / genetics
- Male
- Microsatellite Repeats / genetics
- Pedigree
- Phylogeny
- Quantitative Trait Loci / genetics
Citations
This article has been cited 11 times.- Turghan MA, Jiang Z, Niu Z. An Update on Status and Conservation of the Przewalski's Horse (Equus ferus przewalskii): Captive Breeding and Reintroduction Projects.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 15;12(22).
- Tang Y, Liu G, Zhao S, Li K, Zhang D, Liu S, Hu D. Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Diversity of the Reintroduction Populations of Endangered Przewalski's Horse.. Genes (Basel) 2022 May 23;13(5).
- Miller-Butterworth CM, Vacco K, Russell AL, Gaspard JC 3rd. Genetic Diversity and Relatedness among Captive African Painted Dogs in North America.. Genes (Basel) 2021 Sep 22;12(10).
- Hanot P, Bayarsaikhan J, Guintard C, Haruda A, Mijiddorj E, Schafberg R, Taylor W. Cranial shape diversification in horses: variation and covariation patterns under the impact of artificial selection.. BMC Ecol Evol 2021 Sep 21;21(1):178.
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- Witzenberger KA, Hochkirch A. The genetic integrity of the ex situ population of the European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris) is seriously threatened by introgression from domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus).. PLoS One 2014;9(8):e106083.
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