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PloS one2018; 13(9); e0203917; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203917

Origin and spread of Thoroughbred racehorses inferred from complete mitochondrial genome sequences: Phylogenomic and Bayesian coalescent perspectives.

Abstract: The Thoroughbred horse breed was developed primarily for racing, and has a significant contribution to the qualitative improvement of many other horse breeds. Despite the importance of Thoroughbred racehorses in historical, cultural, and economical viewpoints, there was no temporal and spatial dynamics of them using the mitogenome sequences. To explore this topic, the complete mitochondrial genome sequences of 14 Thoroughbreds and two Przewalski's horses were determined. These sequences were analyzed together along with 151 previously published horse mitochondrial genomes from a range of breeds across the globe using a Bayesian coalescent approach as well as Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods. The racing horses were revealed to have multiple maternal origins and to be closely related to horses from one Asian, two Middle Eastern, and five European breeds. Thoroughbred horse breed was not directly related to the Przewalski's horse which has been regarded as the closest taxon to the all domestic horses and the only true wild horse species left in the world. Our phylogenomic analyses also supported that there was no apparent correlation between geographic origin or breed and the evolution of global horses. The most recent common ancestor of the Thoroughbreds lived approximately 8,100-111,500 years ago, which was significantly younger than the most recent common ancestor of modern horses (0.7286 My). Bayesian skyline plot revealed that the population expansion of modern horses, including Thoroughbreds, occurred approximately 5,500-11,000 years ago, which coincide with the start of domestication. This is the first phylogenomic study on the Thoroughbred racehorse in association with its spatio-temporal dynamics. The database and genetic history information of Thoroughbred mitogenomes obtained from the present study provide useful information for future horse improvement projects, as well as for the study of horse genomics, conservation, and in association with its geographical distribution.
Publication Date: 2018-09-14 PubMed ID: 30216366PubMed Central: PMC6138400DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203917Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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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 research explores the origin and development of Thoroughbred racehorses by analyzing complete mitochondrial genome sequences from various breeds worldwide. Through this, the researchers identify multiple maternal origins of Thoroughbreds and their close relation to horses from certain Asian, Middle Eastern, and European breeds.

Methodology

  • The study involved the sequencing of the complete mitochondrial genomes of 14 Thoroughbreds and two Przewalski’s horses. The Przewalski’s horse is considered the closest taxon to domestic horses and the only true wild horse species left globally.
  • The sequences obtained from Thoroughbreds and Przewalski’s horses were jointly analyzed with 151 other previously published horse mitochondrial genomes. These genomes were from a variety of breeds around the world.
  • A Bayesian coalescent approach was used for the analysis, complemented by Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods.

Major Findings

  • Contrary to popular belief, the Thoroughbred horse breed was found not to be directly related to the Przewalski’s horse.
  • Racing horses were revealed to have multiple maternal origins. They are closely related to one Asian, two Middle Eastern, and five European breeds.
  • There was no evident correlation between the geographic origin or breed and the evolution of global horses. This indicates that the development and spread of horse breeds may not be as geographically influenced as previously thought.
  • The most recent common ancestor of Thoroughbreds lived between approximately 8,100 and 111,500 years ago, which is significantly later than the most recent common ancestor of modern horses.
  • Through a Bayesian skyline plot, it was discovered that the population expansion of modern horses (including Thoroughbreds) occurred about 5,500-11,000 years ago. This timeline coincides with the start of horse domestication.

Implications of the Research

  • The study offers the first phylogenomic analysis of the Thoroughbred racehorse in relation to its spatio-temporal dynamics, providing important insights into the breed’s genetic history and development.
  • The database and genetic history information derived from the current study are seen as a valuable contribution for future horse improvement projects.
  • The research findings also contribute to broader studies of horse genomics, conservation efforts, and investigations associated with geographical distribution.

Cite This Article

APA
Yoon SH, Lee W, Ahn H, Caetano-Anolles K, Park KD, Kim H. (2018). Origin and spread of Thoroughbred racehorses inferred from complete mitochondrial genome sequences: Phylogenomic and Bayesian coalescent perspectives. PLoS One, 13(9), e0203917. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0203917

Publication

ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 9
Pages: e0203917
PII: e0203917

Researcher Affiliations

Yoon, Sook Hee
  • Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Lee, Wonseok
  • Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Animal Biotechnology and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Ahn, Hyeonju
  • Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Caetano-Anolles, Kelsey
  • Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Park, Kyoung-Do
  • The Animal Molecular Genetics & Breeding Center, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea.
Kim, Heebal
  • Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute for Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
  • Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Shinshu University, Nagano, Japan.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Wild / classification
  • Animals, Wild / genetics
  • Bayes Theorem
  • Breeding
  • Domestication
  • Equidae / classification
  • Equidae / genetics
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Female
  • Genome, Mitochondrial
  • Horses / classification
  • Horses / genetics
  • Male
  • Models, Genetic
  • Phylogeny
  • Phylogeography
  • Spatio-Temporal Analysis

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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Citations

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