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Home / Equine Research Bank / Animals (Basel) / Morpho-Functional Traits in Pura Raza Menorquina Horses: Gen...
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2022; 12(18); 2319; doi: 10.3390/ani12182319

Morpho-Functional Traits in Pura Raza Menorquina Horses: Genetic Parameters and Relationship with Coat Color Variables.

Abstract: The studbook of Pura Raza Menorquina horses only permits the use of black-coated animals with a small quantity of white marks as breeding stock. Its breeding program uses linear morpho-functional traits as selection criteria. Our aim was to estimate the genetic parameters of linear morpho-functional traits, and reveal relationship of quality of black coat color (QB) and percentage of white marks (WM) with the other morphological and functional linear traits in this breed. A total of 46 linear traits were scored by four appraisers using seven classes, with a total of 772 records from 333 animals (≥4 years old). Univariate animal models using a Bayesian approach were used, with a pedigree of 757 animals. Sex (two) and appraiser-season (13) were included as fixed effects, age as a linear covariate, and permanent environmental and additive genetic as random effect. The heritabilities of the morpho-functional traits were low to medium (0.09-0.58) and matched the range in the bibliography. Heritabilities for coat color traits were 0.36 for QB and 0.23 for WM. The highest genetic correlations were obtained between QB and upper neck line (0.816) and between WM and form of the hoof (0.638). The negative signs of most of the genetic correlations between WM and the functional traits is also remarkable, contributing to the selection of functional traits against the presence of white marks in this population. A clear genetic differentiation was observed between animals with better breeding values for QB and WM, corroborated by a study on founders. In conclusion, QB and WM could show different genetic backgrounds.
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Publication Date: 2022-09-07 PubMed ID: 36139184PubMed Central: PMC9495247DOI: 10.3390/ani12182319Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

The study focused on investigating the genetic characteristics of Pura Raza Menorquina horses, particularly their morpho-functional traits and their relationship with coat color. The researchers found considerable genetic differentiation among animals with improved breeding values for coat color quality and white markings, suggesting different genetic ancestries.

Objective and Methodology

  • This study aimed to establish the genetic parameters of linear morpho-functional traits in Pura Raza Menorquina horses, a breed identified by its black coat and white markings. The researchers also aimed to reveal how the quality of the black coat color and the percentage of white markings associate with other morphological and functional linear traits in this breed.
  • The team examined 46 different linear traits across a pool of 333 horses, with a scoring system devised by four specialized assessors. For this, they used the pedigree of 757 horses, univariate animal models, and a Bayesian approach, considering factors like sex, season, and age.

Findings

  • Heritabilities, or genetic contributions to the individual variations in traits, of the morpho-functional traits ranged from low to medium, similar to those found in previous studies. The heritabilities for the quality of the black coat (QB) and the presence of white markings (WM) were found to be moderate.
  • The researchers observed high genetic correlations between the color quality of the coat and the horses’ upper neck line, and between the white markings and the horses’ hoof form. This indicates that these traits are likely to be inherited together.
  • Negative correlation signs were also discovered between white markings and functional traits, suggesting selective breeding against the presence of white markings in the population.

Implications

  • The research concluded that Pura Raza Menorquina horses with a greater quality of black coat color or more white markings are likely to have differing genetic backgrounds. This discovery could considerably impact breeding programs for this specific breed.
  • Breeders, with the aid of this study, could further refine their selection criteria to achieve desirable morpho-functional traits alongside coat coloration. This could potentially ensure the preservation and enhancement of these iconic characteristics of the breed.

Cite This Article

APA
Perdomo-González DI, García de Paredes RLA, Valera M, Bartolomé E, Gómez MD. (2022). Morpho-Functional Traits in Pura Raza Menorquina Horses: Genetic Parameters and Relationship with Coat Color Variables. Animals (Basel), 12(18), 2319. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12182319

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 18
PII: 2319

Researcher Affiliations

Perdomo-González, Davinia I
  • Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica (ETSIA), Universidad de Sevilla, Carretera de Utrera km1, 41013 Sevilla, Spain.
García de Paredes, Rocío de Las Aguas
  • Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica (ETSIA), Universidad de Sevilla, Carretera de Utrera km1, 41013 Sevilla, Spain.
Valera, Mercedes
  • Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica (ETSIA), Universidad de Sevilla, Carretera de Utrera km1, 41013 Sevilla, Spain.
Bartolomé, Ester
  • Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica (ETSIA), Universidad de Sevilla, Carretera de Utrera km1, 41013 Sevilla, Spain.
Gómez, María Dolores
  • Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica (ETSIA), Universidad de Sevilla, Carretera de Utrera km1, 41013 Sevilla, Spain.
  • Asociación de Criadores y Propietarios de Caballos de Raza Menorquina, Edificio Sa Roqueta, C/ Bijuters, 36, Bajos, 07760 Ciutadella de Menorca, Spain.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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