FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Frontiers in genetics2015; 6; 62; doi: 10.3389/fgene.2015.00062

Morphological and genetic characterization of an emerging Azorean horse breed: the Terceira Pony.

Abstract: The Terceira Pony is a horse indigenous to Terceira Island in the Azores. These horses were very important during the colonization of the island. Due to their very balanced proportions and correct gaits, and with an average withers height of 1.28 m, the Terceira Pony is often confused with a miniature pure-bred Lusitano. This population was officially recognized as the fourth Portuguese equine breed by the national authorities in January, 2014. The aim of this study was to analyze the morphology and the genetic diversity by means of microsatellite markers of this emerging horse breed. The biometric data consisted of 28 body measurements and nine angles from 30 animals (11 sires, 19 dams). The Terceira Pony is now a recognized horse breed and is gaining in popularity amongst breeders and the younger riding classes. The information obtained from this study will be very useful for conservation and management purposes, including maximizing the breed's genetic diversity, and solidifying the desirable phenotypic traits.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2015-02-27 PubMed ID: 25774165PubMed Central: PMC4343030DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2015.00062Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

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 research article focuses on the scientific analysis of a newly recognized breed of horse from Terceira Island in the Azores, the Terceira Pony. It examines the physical characteristics and genetic makeup of this breed, which was officially recognized by Portuguese authorities in 2014.

Objective of the Study

  • The main aim of this study was to investigate the physical and genetic characteristics of the Terceira Pony, a recently recognized breed of horse native to the Terceira Island in the Azores. The authors hoped that the data collected through this study would assist in the breed’s conservation and management, in particular helping to maximize its genetic diversity and reinforce its phenotypic traits.

Morphological Analysis

  • The researchers analyzed the physical attributes of the Terceira Pony. They collected biometric data comprised of 28 body measurements and nine angles from a sample of 30 horses (11 males and 19 females) to analyze their proportions and gaits.
  • The physical attributes showed the Terceira Pony to be often mistaken for a miniature pure-bred Lusitano due to its balanced proportions and correct gaits. The average height of the breed at the withers was noted as being 1.28 meters.

Genetic Analysis

  • Alongside the morphological analysis, the study also explored the genetic diversity of these horses. Microsatellite markers, a type of DNA sequence used in genetic linkage analysis, were used for this purpose. This would inform breeders about the genetic diversity within the breed, which can influence decisions about breeding pairs to avoid incestuous relationships and thus maintain genetic health.

Implications

  • The Terceira Pony was officially recognized as the fourth Portuguese equine breed in 2014. As this breed garners more popularity among breeders and young riders, the data from this study can prove helpful in the breed’s conservation efforts.
  • The study’s findings about the breed’s physical characteristics and genetic makeup can be used to help maintain its genetic diversity, promote desired physical traits, and assist in management and conservation efforts.

Cite This Article

APA
Lopes MS, Mendonça D, Rojer H, Cabral V, Bettencourt SX, da Câmara Machado A. (2015). Morphological and genetic characterization of an emerging Azorean horse breed: the Terceira Pony. Front Genet, 6, 62. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2015.00062

Publication

Frontiers in genetics
ISSN: 1664-8021
NlmUniqueID: 101560621
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 6
Pages: 62

Researcher Affiliations

Lopes, Maria S
  • Biotechnology Centre of Azores, Department of Agriculture, University of Azores, Angra do Heroísmo Portugal.
Mendonça, Duarte
  • Biotechnology Centre of Azores, Department of Agriculture, University of Azores, Angra do Heroísmo Portugal.
Rojer, Horst
  • Biotechnology Centre of Azores, Department of Agriculture, University of Azores, Angra do Heroísmo Portugal.
Cabral, Verónica
  • Biotechnology Centre of Azores, Department of Agriculture, University of Azores, Angra do Heroísmo Portugal.
Bettencourt, Sílvia X
  • Biotechnology Centre of Azores, Department of Agriculture, University of Azores, Angra do Heroísmo Portugal.
da Câmara Machado, Artur
  • Biotechnology Centre of Azores, Department of Agriculture, University of Azores, Angra do Heroísmo Portugal.

References

This article includes 56 references
  1. Aberle K. S., Distl O.. Domestication of the horse: results based on microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA markers. Arch. Tierz. 47 517–535.
  2. Binns M. M., Holmes N. G., Holliman A., Scott A M.. The identification of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the horse and their use in thoroughbred parentage testing. Br. Vet. J. 151 9–15.
    doi: 10.1016/S0007-1935(05)80057-0pubmed: 7735875google scholar: lookup
  3. Bodó I.. Methods and experiences with in situ preservation of farm animals. Animal Genetic Resources 85–102.
  4. Bömcke E., Gengler N., Cothran E. G.. Genetic variability in the Skyros pony and its relationship with other Greek and foreign horse breeds. Genet. Mol. Biol. 34 68–76.
    doi: 10.1590/S1415-47572010005000113pmc: PMC3085377pubmed: 21637546google scholar: lookup
  5. Breen M., Lindgren G., Binns M. M., Norman J., Irvin Z., Bell K.. Genetical and physical assignments of equine microsatellites-first integration of anchored markers in horse genome mapping. Mamm. Genome 8 267–273.
    doi: 10.1007/s003359900407pubmed: 9096108google scholar: lookup
  6. Cabral G. C., de Almeida F. Q., Quirino C. R., de Azevedo P. C. N., Batista Pinto L. F., Santos E. M.. Morphometric evaluation of Mangalarga Marchador horse: conformation index and body proportions. R. Bras. Zootec. 33 1798–1805.
    doi: 10.1590/S1516-35982004000700018google scholar: lookup
  7. Camargo M. X., Chieffi A.. Ezoognózia. São Paulo: Instituto de Zootecnia; 320.
  8. Coogle L., Reid R., Bailey E.. Equine dinucleotide repeat loci from LEX025 to LEX033. Anim. Genet. 27 289–290.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2052.1996.tb00500.xpubmed: 8856936google scholar: lookup
  9. Cothran E. G., Canelon J. L., Luís C., Conant E., Juras R.. Genetic analysis of the Venezuelan Criollo horse. Genet. Mol. Res. 10 2394–2403.
    doi: 10.4238/2011.October.7.1pubmed: 22002132google scholar: lookup
  10. Druml T., Baumung R., Sölkner J.. Morphological analysis and effect of selection for conformation in the Noreiker draught horse population. Livest. Sci. 115 118–128.
    doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2007.06.015google scholar: lookup
  11. Ellegren H., Johansson M., Sandberg K., Andersson L.. Cloning of highly polymorphic microsatellites in the horse. Anim. Genet. 23 133–142.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2052.1992.tb00032.xpubmed: 1443772google scholar: lookup
  12. Evanno G., Regnaut S., Goudet J.. Detecting the number of clusters of individuals using the software STRUCTURE: a simulation study. Mol. Ecol. 14 2611–2620.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2005.02553.xpubmed: 15969739google scholar: lookup
  13. Evans J. W.. Horses: A Guide to Selection, Care and Enjoyment. New York: W. H. Freeman and Company; 896.
  14. Falush D., Stephens M., Pritchard J. K.. Inference of population structure using multilocus genotype data: dominant markers and null alleles. Mol. Ecol. Notes 7 574–578.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1471-8286.2007.01758.xpmc: PMC1974779pubmed: 18784791google scholar: lookup
  15. FAO. The Global Strategy for the Management of Farm Animal Genetic Resources. Rome: Executive Brief; 43.
  16. Felicetti M., Lopes M. S., Verini-Supplizi A., da Câmara Machado A., Silvestrelli M., Mendonça D.. Genetic diversity in the Maremmano horse and relationships with other European breeds. Anim. Genet. 41 53–55.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2052.2010.02102.xpubmed: 21070276google scholar: lookup
  17. Guérin G., Bertaud M., Amiques Y.. Characterization of seven new horse microsatellites: HMS1, HMS2, HMS3, HMS5, HMS6, HMS7 and HMS8. Anim. Genet. 25 62.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2052.1994.tb00072.xpubmed: 8161034google scholar: lookup
  18. Hendricks B. L.. International Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press; 496.
  19. Hoffmann I., Ajmone Marsan P., Barker J. S. F., Cothran E. G., Hanotte O., Lenstra J. A.. New MoDAD marker sets to be used in diversity studies for the major farm animal species: recommendations of a joint ISAG/ FAO working group. Proceedings of the 29th International Conference on Animal Genetics 123 Tokyo.
  20. Jones W. E.. Genética e Criação de Cavalos. São Paulo: Roca; 666.
  21. Koenen E. P. C., Aldridge L. I., Philipsson J.. An overview of breeding objectives for warmblood sport horses. Livest. Prod. Sci. 88 77–84.
    doi: 10.1016/j.livprodsci.2003.10.011google scholar: lookup
  22. Komosa M., Frackowiak H., Purzyc H., Wojnowska M., Gramacki A., Gramacki J.. Differences in exterior conformation between primitive, Half-bred, and Thoroughbred horses: anatomic-breeding approach. J. Anim. Sci. 91 1660–1668.
    doi: 10.2527/jas.2012-5367pubmed: 23345554google scholar: lookup
  23. Komosa M., Purzyc H.. Konik and Hucul horses: a comparative study of exterior measurements. J. Anim. Sci. 87 2245–2254.
    doi: 10.2527/jas.2008-1501pubmed: 19329479google scholar: lookup
  24. Lawrence L. A.. Horse Conformation Analysis. Pullman, WA: Washington State University; 10.
  25. Lopes M. S.. Molecular Tools for the Characterisation of the Lusitano Horse. Ph.D. thesis, University of Azores; Azores: 216.
  26. Lopes M. S., Cothran G., Juras R., Mendonça D., da Câmara Machado A.. Origin of the endangered Terceira pony assessed by microsatellites and mitochondrial DNA sequence variation. Proceedings of the Ninth Dorothy Russell Havemeyer International Equine Genome Mapping Workshop Chaska, MN.
  27. Luciano da Silva M.. Portuguese Pilgrims and Dighton Rock Chap. 11. Available at: http://www.dightonrock.com/pilgrim_chapter_11.htm.
  28. Luís C., Juras R., Oom M. M., Cothran E. G.. Genetic diversity and relationships of Portuguese and other horse breeds based on protein and microsatellite loci variation. Anim. Genet. 38 2–27.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2052.2006.01545.xpubmed: 17257184google scholar: lookup
  29. Marklund S., Ellegren H., Eriksson S., Sandberg K., Andersson L.. Parentage testing and linkage analysis in the horse using a set of highly polymorphic microsatellites. Anim. Genet. 25 19–23.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2052.1994.tb00050.xpubmed: 8161016google scholar: lookup
  30. Marshal T. C., Slate J., Kruuk L., Pemberton J. M.. Statistical confidence for likelihood-based paternity inference in natural populations. Mol. Ecol. 7 639–655.
    doi: 10.1046/j.1365-294x.1998.00374.xpubmed: 9633105google scholar: lookup
  31. Martin-Rosset W.. Particularités de la croissance et du développment du cheval. Ann. Zootec. 32 373–380.
    doi: 10.1051/animres:19830108google scholar: lookup
  32. Mawdsley A., Kelly E. P., Smith F. H., Brophy P. O.. Linear assessment of the thoroughbred horse: an approach to conformation evaluation. Equine Vet. J. 28 461–467.
    doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1996.tb01618.xpubmed: 9049495google scholar: lookup
  33. McManus C. M., Falcão R. A., Spritze A., Costa D., Louvandini H., Dias L. T.. Caracterização morfológica de equinos de raça Campeiro. R. Bras. Zootec. 34 1553–1562.
    doi: 10.1590/S1516-35982005000500015google scholar: lookup
  34. McManus C. M., Santos S. A., da Silva J. A., Louvandini H., Avreu U. G. P., Sereno J. R. B.. Body indices for the Pantaneiro horse. Braz. J. Vet. Res. Anim. Sci. 45 362–370.
  35. Miller S. A, Dykes D. D., Polesky H. F.. A simple salting out procedure for extracting DNA from human nucleated cells. Nucleic Acids Res. 16 1215.
    doi: 10.1093/nar/16.3.1215pmc: PMC334765pubmed: 3344216google scholar: lookup
  36. Nascimento J. F.. Mangalarga Marchador: Tratado Morfofuncional. Belo Horizonte: Associação Brasileira dos Criadores de Cavalos Mangalarga Marchador; 577.
  37. Oom M. M., da Costa Ferreira J.. Estudo biométrico do cavalo Alter. Rev. Port. de Ciênc. Vet. 82 101–148.
  38. Parker R.. Equine Science. New York: Thomson Delmar Learning; 688.
  39. Peakall R., Smouse P. E.. GenAlEx 6.5: genetic analysis in Excel. Population genetic software for teaching and research-an update. Bioinformatics 28 2537–2539.
    doi: 10.1093/bioinformatics/bts460pmc: PMC3463245pubmed: 22820204google scholar: lookup
  40. Pedersen N. C.. A review of immunologic diseases of the dog. Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol. 69 251–342.
    doi: 10.1016/S0165-2427(99)00059-8pmc: PMC7119806pubmed: 10507310google scholar: lookup
  41. Pritchard J. K., Stephens M., Donnelly P.. Inference of population structure using multilocus genotype data. Genetics 155 945–959.
    pmc: PMC1461096pubmed: 10835412
  42. Proschowsky H. F., Rugbjerg H., Ersboll A. K.. Mortality of purebred and mixed-breed dogs in Denmark. Prev. Vet. Med. 58 63–74.
    doi: 10.1016/S0167-5877(03)00010-2pubmed: 12628771google scholar: lookup
  43. Raymond M., Rousset F.. GENEPOP (Version 1.2): population genetics software for exact tests and ecumenicism. J. Hered. 86 248–249.
  44. Ribeiro D. B.. O Cavalo: Raças, Qualidade e Defeitos. São Paulo: Editora Globo; 318.
  45. Rodero A., Delgado J. V., Rodero E.. Primitive Andalusian livestock and their implications in the discovery of America. Arch. Zootec. 41 383–400.
  46. Rohlf F. J.. Numerical Taxonomy and Multivariable Analysis System (Version 2.11f). New York: Applied Biostatistics Inc. 44.
  47. Sadek M. H., Al-Aboud A. Z., Ashmawy A. A.. Factor analysis of body measurements in Arabian horses. J. Anim. Breed. Genet. 123 369–377.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0388.2006.00618.xpubmed: 17177691google scholar: lookup
  48. Santos R. F.. O Cavalo de Sela Brasileiro e Outros Equídeos. Botucatu: Editora Varela; 288.
  49. Smith J. R., Carpten J. D., Brownstein M. J., Ghosh S., Magnuson V. L., Gilbert D. A.. Approach to genotyping errors caused by nontemplated addition by Taq DNA Polymerase. Genome Res. 5 312–317.
    doi: 10.1101/gr.5.3.312pubmed: 8593617google scholar: lookup
  50. Solé M., Gómez M. D., Molina A., Peña F., Valera M.. Analyses of conformational performance differentiation among functional breeding goals in the Menorca horse breed. Arch. Tierz. 37 367–379.
    doi: 10.7482/0003-9438-56-037google scholar: lookup
  51. Takezaki N., Nei M.. Genetic distance and reconstruction of phylogenetic trees from microsatellite DNA. Genetics 144 389–399.
    pmc: PMC1207511pubmed: 8878702
  52. van Haeringen H., Bowling A. T., Scott M. L., Lenstra J. A., Zwaagstra K. A.. A highly polymorphic horse microsatellite locus: VHL20. Anim. Genet. 25 207.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2052.1994.tb00129.xpubmed: 7943974google scholar: lookup
  53. Wagner H. W., Sefc K. M.. IDENTITY 4.0. Centre for Applied Genetics. Vienna: University of Agricultural Sciences..
  54. Weir B. S., Cockerham C. C.. Estimating F-statistics for the analysis of population structure. Evolution (N. Y.) 38 1358–1370.
    pubmed: 28563791
  55. Zamborlini L. C.. Estudo Genético-Quantitativo da Raça Mangalarga Marchador. Ph.D. thesis, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 39.
  56. Zechner P., Zohman F., Sölkner J., Bodo I., Habe F., Marti E.. Morphological description of the Lipizzan horse population. Livest. Prod. Sci. 69 163–177.
    doi: 10.1016/S0301-6226(00)00254-2google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 6 times.
  1. Hou L, Sulayman A, Zeng Y, Zhou L, Aimaier A, Kader A, Shi L. Analysis of Genetic Diversity and Race Genetic Structure of Major Horse Breeds in Xinjiang, China. Animals (Basel) 2025 Sep 14;15(18).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15182690pubmed: 41007935google scholar: lookup
  2. Gu L, Wu F, Zheng X, Zhang X, Chen Y, Lu L, Liu X, Mo S, Chao Z, He Z, Shang Y, Wei D, Wei S, Chen Y, Xu T. Molecular genetic identification of Wuzhishan ant chicken, a newly discovered resource in China. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1319854.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1319854pubmed: 38962700google scholar: lookup
  3. Fornal A, Kowalska K, Zabek T, Piestrzynska-Kajtoch A, Musiał AD, Ropka-Molik K. Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Polish Konik Horse Based on Individuals from All the Male Founder Lines and Microsatellite Markers. Animals (Basel) 2020 Sep 3;10(9).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10091569pubmed: 32899310google scholar: lookup
  4. Funk SM, Guedaoura S, Juras R, Raziq A, Landolsi F, Luís C, Martínez AM, Musa Mayaki A, Mujica F, Oom MDM, Ouragh L, Stranger YM, Vega-Pla JL, Cothran EG. Major inconsistencies of inferred population genetic structure estimated in a large set of domestic horse breeds using microsatellites. Ecol Evol 2020 May;10(10):4261-4279.
    doi: 10.1002/ece3.6195pubmed: 32489595google scholar: lookup
  5. Ablondi M, Eriksson S, Tetu S, Sabbioni A, Viklund Å, Mikko S. Genomic Divergence in Swedish Warmblood Horses Selected for Equestrian Disciplines. Genes (Basel) 2019 Nov 27;10(12).
    doi: 10.3390/genes10120976pubmed: 31783652google scholar: lookup
  6. Joost S, Bruford MW. Editorial: Advances in Farm Animal Genomic Resources. Front Genet 2015;6:333.
    doi: 10.3389/fgene.2015.00333pubmed: 26635869google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,850 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.