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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Hered / Microsatellite analysis of genetic diversity and population ...
The Journal of heredity2013; 104(3); 386-398; doi: 10.1093/jhered/est003

Microsatellite analysis of genetic diversity and population structure of Arabian horse populations.

Abstract: The Arabian horse ignites imagination throughout the world. Populations of this breed exist in many countries, and recent genetic work has examined the diversity and ancestry of a few of these populations in isolation. Here, we explore 7 different populations of Arabians represented by 682 horses. Three of these are Middle Eastern populations from near the historical origin of the breed, including Syrian, Persian, and Saudi Arabian. The remaining Western populations are found in Europe (the Shagya Arabian and Polish Arabian) and in America (American Arabian). Analysis of genetic structure was carried out using 15 microsatellite loci. Genetic distances, analysis of molecular variance, factorial correspondence analysis, and a Bayesian method were applied. The results consistently show higher level of diversity within the Middle Eastern populations than the Western populations. The Western Arabian populations were the main source among population variation. Genetic differentiation was not strong among all Middle Eastern populations, but all American Arabians showed differentiation from Middle Eastern populations and were somewhat uniform among themselves. Here, we explore the diversities of many different populations of Arabian horses and find that populations not from the Middle East have noticeably lower levels of diversity, which may adversely affect the health of these populations.
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Publication Date: 2013-02-28 PubMed ID: 23450090DOI: 10.1093/jhered/est003Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • 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 article explores the genetic diversity and population structure of Arabian horses, finding that populations not from the Middle East have noticeably lower levels of diversity, potentially impacting their health.

Introduction to the Research

  • The research focuses on understanding the genetic diversity and population structure of Arabian horse populations globally.
  • It involves seven different horse populations represented by 682 horses: three Middle Eastern populations from Syria, Persia, and Saudi Arabia, and four Western populations from Europe (Shagya Arabian and Polish Arabian) and America (American Arabian).

Methodology

  • The analysis of genetic structure, differentiation, and diversity was done using 15 microsatellite loci, types of molecular markers useful for testing population genetics.
  • Several statistical methods were applied to assess the genetic diversity and structure, such as genetic distances, analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), factorial correspondence analysis, and a Bayesian method.

Key Findings

  • The results from the study methods consistently indicated a higher level of diversity within the Middle Eastern populations compared to the Western horse populations.
  • Study findings showed that the Western Arabian populations largely contributed to the variation among populations.
  • Genetic differentiation, the process where different populations of species evolve over time to differ in terms of their genetic composition, was found to be weak among all Middle Eastern populations.
  • American Arabian horse populations not only exhibited differentiation from Middle Eastern populations but also showed significant uniformity within themselves.

Implications of the Study

  • The study highlights the decreased level of genetic diversity in Arabian horse populations that are not from the Middle East. The lower genetic diversity could potentially have adverse effects on the health of these horse populations.
  • The findings could be used as a base for further research in the breeding and conservation efforts of Arabian horses, especially those outside the Middle East.

Cite This Article

APA
Khanshour A, Conant E, Juras R, Cothran EG. (2013). Microsatellite analysis of genetic diversity and population structure of Arabian horse populations. J Hered, 104(3), 386-398. https://doi.org/10.1093/jhered/est003

Publication

The Journal of heredity
ISSN: 1465-7333
NlmUniqueID: 0375373
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 104
Issue: 3
Pages: 386-398

Researcher Affiliations

Khanshour, Anas
  • Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4458, USA.
Conant, Eleanore
    Juras, Rytis
      Cothran, Ernest Gus

        MeSH Terms

        • Americas
        • Animals
        • Bayes Theorem
        • Genetic Variation
        • Genetics, Population
        • Horses / genetics
        • Iran
        • Microsatellite Repeats
        • Middle East
        • Saudi Arabia
        • Syria

        Citations

        This article has been cited 25 times.
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