Population statistics and biological traits of endangered kiso horse.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to clarify the current status of endangered Kiso horse, population statistics and biological traits, in order to take a step for the conservation by scientific approach. We surveyed 125 Kiso horses (86.2% of the whole breed), analyzed the construction of the population, and calculated the coefficient of inbreeding and effective population size. Moreover, we confirmed coat color variations and the traditional traits of the Kiso horse, and measured their height at the withers and chest circumference to clarify their physical characteristics. The population pyramid of the horses was stationary or contractive, suggesting a reduction of the population in the near future. The effective population size of the horse (47.9) suggested that the diversity was much less than their census size, and the high coefficient of inbreeding, 0.11 ± 0.07 on average, suggested that the horses were surely inbred. The horses had only 4 coat colors; bay, dark bay, buckskin dun, and chestnut, and 116 horses (92.8%) were bayish color, suggesting the fixation in their coat color. Moreover, the majority of them had dorsal stripe (83 horses; 66.4%), and the average heights at withers(131.9 ± 4.4 cm) and chest circumference (167.1 ± 10.1 cm) were not significantly different between males and females.
Publication Date: 2012-02-28 PubMed ID: 24833989PubMed Central: PMC4013974DOI: 10.1294/jes.22.67Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article involves a comprehensive study focusing on the Kiso horse, an endangered horse breed native to Japan. The study systematically analyzes population trends, inbreeding indexes, biological features, and things like coat color variations, to provide an evidence-based approach to their conservation efforts.
Study Objective and Method
- The study aims at understanding the current demographic and biological status of the endangered Kiso horse, to use this information for effective species preservation measures.
- The researchers conducted both physical and genetic surveys on a total of 125 Kiso horses, representing around 86.2% of the entire breed.
Population Statistics and Inbreeding Coefficients
- By analyzing the population structure, the research found that the population pyramid of the Kiso horses is either stationary or contractive. This suggests the population of the breed may decrease in the future.
- This study computes the coefficient of inbreeding and effective population size to assess genetic diversity within the breed. With an effective population size of 47.9, it signifies that the genetic variety within the breed is considerably lower than the census size.
- A high average inbreeding coefficient (0.11 ± 0.07) indicates substantial inbreeding amongst the Kiso horse population.
Biological Characteristics
- The study investigates certain biological traits of the Kiso horses including their physical attributes and coat color variations.
- The researchers detected only four coat colors; bay, dark bay, buckskin dun, and chestnut, with 92.8% of the surveyed horses featuring a bay coat color. This limited color variation implies color fixation within the breed.
- A significant number of Kiso horses displayed a dorsal stripe (66.4%). Average height at the withers (131.9 ± 4.4 cm) and chest circumference (167.1 ± 10.1 cm) didn’t vary significantly between male and female Kiso horses.
Conclusion
- This comprehensive study provides critical insight into the endangered Kiso horse’s current population status and biological traits, proving beneficial for biodiversity experts and scientists working on the conservation strategies for this breed.
Cite This Article
APA
Takasu M, Hiramatsu N, Tozaki T, Kakoi H, Hasegawa T, Maeda M, Kusuda S, Doi O, Murase T, Mukoyama H.
(2012).
Population statistics and biological traits of endangered kiso horse.
J Equine Sci, 22(4), 67-72.
https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.22.67 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.
- Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.
- Laboratory of Racing Chemistry, 1731-2 Tsuruta-cho, Utsunomiya, Tochigi 320-0851, Japan.
- Laboratory of Racing Chemistry, 1731-2 Tsuruta-cho, Utsunomiya, Tochigi 320-0851, Japan.
- Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, 321-4 Tokami-cho, Utsunomiya, Tochigi 320-0856, Japan.
- Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.
- Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.
- Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.
- Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.
- Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, 1-7-1 Kyonan-cho, Musashino, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan.
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Citations
This article has been cited 9 times.- Nakamura M, Tozaki T, Kakoi H, Nakamura K, Rajabi-Toustani R, Ohba Y, Matsubara T, Takasu M. Decreased genetic diversity in Kiso horses revealed through annual microsatellite genotyping. J Vet Med Sci 2020 Apr 15;82(4):503-540.
- Gamo S, Tozaki T, Kakoi H, Hirota KI, Nakamura K, Nishii N, Alumunia J, Takasu M. X monosomy in the endangered Kiso horse breed detected by a parentage test using sex chromosome linked genes and microsatellites. J Vet Med Sci 2019 Jan 8;81(1):91-94.
- Nakamura K, Tozaki T, Kakoi H, Owada S, Takasu M. Variation in the MC1R, ASIP, and MATP genes responsible for coat color in Kiso horse as determined by SNaPshot™ genotyping. J Vet Med Sci 2019 Jan 8;81(1):100-102.
- Kakoi H, Kikuchi M, Tozaki T, Hirota KI, Nagata SI, Hobo S, Takasu M. Distribution of Y chromosomal haplotypes in Japanese native horse populations. J Equine Sci 2018;29(2):39-42.
- Takasu M, Ishihara N, Tozaki T, Kakoi H, Maeda M, Mukoyama H. Genetic diversity of maternal lineage in the endangered Kiso horse based on polymorphism of the mitochondrial DNA D-loop region. J Vet Med Sci 2014 Nov;76(11):1451-6.
- Takasu M, Nagatani N, Tozaki T, Kakoi H, Maeda M, Murase T, Mukoyama H. Hematological and biochemical reference values for the endangered kiso horse. J Equine Sci 2013;24(4):75-8.
- Ming KM, Le Verger K, Geiger M, Schmelzle T, Georgalis GL, Shimbo G, Sasaki M, Ohdachi SD, Sánchez-Villagra MR. Insular dwarfism in horses from the Aegean Sea and the Japanese archipelago. Mamm Biol 2024;104(4):345-361.
- Onouchi S, Yoshida T, Saito S, Atoji Y. Relationship between the left-right asymmetric motor-related conformation and the orientation of facial hair whorls in Japanese Kiso horses. J Vet Med Sci 2024 Sep 1;86(9):920-924.
- Kobayashi I, Nakamura K, Saito I, Akita M, Tozaki T, Miyazaki M, Hano K, Takasu M. Changes in population structure and genetic diversity of Misaki horses between 2015 and 2020. J Vet Med Sci 2023 Dec 19;85(12):1327-1329.
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