Morphological evolution and heritability estimates for some biometric traits in the Murgese horse breed.

The research study conducted a comprehensive analysis of the morphological evolution of the Murgese horse breed in Italy from 1925 to 2002. The researchers measured three primary body parameters – height at withers, chest girth and cannon bone circumference -on 1816 individuals to calculate changes. Through these hereditary traits, they concluded that the Murgese horse’s structure has significantly evolved over the past 20 years, leading to a different usage of the breed.

Study Subject and Methodology

• The study comprised a data set of 1,816 Murgese horses listed in the Italian Horse Registry from 1925 to 2002. This comprehensive timeframe provided a robust overview of the breed’s evolution throughout the 20th century.
• Researchers measured and analyzed three significant body parameters- height at withers, chest girth, and cannon bone circumference across all subjects.
• The heritability traits were evaluated for each parameter. Heritability refers to the amount of phenotypic variation in a population that is attributable to genetic variation among individuals, which helped the researchers determine how much of the horses’ growth and development traits are inherited.

Findings and Interpretations

• The study observed a significant morphological transformation of the Murgese horse over the past 20 years. The data showed a noticeable shift from a mesomorphic structure to a mesodolichomorphic one, marked by an increase in the height at withers and chest girth, and a slight decrease in the cannon bone circumference in both genders.
• This evolution in body structure signifies the transformation of the Murgese horse’s utility. The breed, once used in agriculture and meat production, is now more suited to sporting activities, mainly trekking and equestrian tourism, owing to its increased strength and power.
• Heritability estimates were found to be 0.24, 0.39, and 0.44 for the studied body measurements, showing how much of the traits can be passed from parents to offspring. These values point to a reasonable level of genetic control over the examined traits, providing important information for potential breeding programs aiming to improve or maintain these characteristics.

Impact on Breeding Practices

• The shifts in morphology and associated function of the Murgese horse represent potential implications for breeding practices. Breeders can utilize the heritability information to selectively mate individuals with desirable trail traits to enhance the breed’s characteristics further.
• The study also provides significant insights into the breed’s evolution, which can be beneficial to preserve the species’ genetic diversity while breeding for enhanced traits.