Haplotype diversity in mitochondrial DNA reveals the multiple origins of Tibetan horse.
Abstract: The Tibetan horse is a species endemic to the Tibetan plateau, with considerable economic value in the region. However, we currently have little genetic evidence to verify whether the breed originated in Tibet or if it entered the area via an ancient migratory route. In the present study, we analyzed the hypervariable segment I sequences of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in 2,050 horses, including 290 individuals from five Tibetan populations and 1,760 from other areas across Asia. Network analysis revealed multiple maternal lineages in the Tibetan horse. Component analysis of sub-lineage F3 indicated that it decreased in frequency from east to west, a trend reflected both southward and northward from Inner Mongolia. Analysis of population genetics showed that the Deqen horse of eastern Tibet was more closely related to the Ningqiang horse of northern China than to other Tibetan horses or the Yunnan horse. These results indicated that the Tibetan horse migrated first from Central Asia to Mongolia, moved south to eastern Tibet (near Deqen), then finally westward to other regions of Tibet. We also identified a novel lineage K that mainly comprises Tibetan and Yunnan horses, suggesting autochthonous domesticated origin for some Tibetan horse breeds from local wild horses. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that modern Tibetan horse breeds originated from the introgression of local wild horses with exotic domesticated populations outside China.
Publication Date: 2018-07-27 PubMed ID: 30052677PubMed Central: PMC6063445DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201564Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research reveals multiple origins of the Tibetan horse by studying their mitochondrial DNA. Genetic evidence shows that modern Tibetan horse breeds trace their origins back to local wild horses combined with other domesticated breeds from outside China.
Research Methodology and Sample
- In this study, researchers analyzed mitochondrial DNA sequences from over 2000 horses. This included 290 individuals from five different Tibetan populations and 1760 from various other areas throughout Asia.
- By studying the hypervariable segment I sequences of mtDNA, the researchers were able to track the ancestral lineage of the Tibetan horse.
Findings on Population Genetics
- The research found multiple maternal lineages within Tibetan horses, illustrating their diverse origins.
- The frequency of sub-lineage F3 decreases when moving from east to west, reflecting a trend also apparent both southward and northward from Inner Mongolia. This indicates the migratory patterns of the breed’s ancestors.
- The Deqen horse, native to eastern Tibet, was found to be more genetically related to the Ningqiang horse of northern China than to other Tibetan horses or the Yunnan horse.
Conclusion and Implications
- The Deqen horse’s genetic similarity to the Ningqiang horse suggests an early movement of Tibetan horses from central Asia to Mongolia, then southwards to eastern Tibet, and finally westwards to other parts of Tibet.
- Researchers also discovered a new lineage K, comprising mainly of Tibetan and Yunnan horses, indicating that some Tibetan horse breeds originated from local wild horses, proving a domesticated origin within the region.
- The research thus concludes that the Tibetan horse breeds descended from a combination of local wild horses and exotic domesticated populations from outside China.
Cite This Article
APA
Yang L, Kong X, Yang S, Dong X, Yang J, Gou X, Zhang H.
(2018).
Haplotype diversity in mitochondrial DNA reveals the multiple origins of Tibetan horse.
PLoS One, 13(7), e0201564.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0201564 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China.
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China.
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China.
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China.
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China.
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Breeding
- DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics
- Female
- Genetic Variation
- Genetics, Population
- Haplotypes
- Horses / classification
- Horses / genetics
- Male
- Phylogeny
- Tibet
Conflict of Interest Statement
There are no conflicts of interest to declare.
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Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Kang Z, Shi J, Liu T, Zhang Y, Zhang Q, Liu Z, Wang J, Cheng S. Genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism data and mitochondrial hypervariable region 1 nucleotide sequence reveal the origin of the Akhal-Teke horse.. Anim Biosci 2023 Oct;36(10):1499-1507.
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