Refinement of Global Domestic Horse Biogeography Using Historic Landrace Chinese Mongolian Populations.
Abstract: The Mongolian horse is one of the oldest extant horse populations and although domesticated, most animals are free-ranging and experience minimal human intervention. As an ancient population originating in one of the key domestication centers, the Mongolian horse may play a key role in understanding the origins and recent evolutionary history of horses. Here we describe an analysis of high-density genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data in 40 globally dispersed horse populations (n = 895). In particular, we have focused on new results from Chinese Mongolian horses (n = 100) that represent 5 distinct populations. These animals were genotyped for 670K SNPs and the data were analyzed in conjunction with 35K SNP data for 35 distinct breeds. Analyses of these integrated SNP data sets demonstrated that the Chinese Mongolian populations were genetically distinct from other modern horse populations. In addition, compared to other domestic horse breeds, the Chinese Mongolian horse populations exhibited relatively high genomic diversity. These results suggest that, in genetic terms, extant Chinese Mongolian horses may be the most similar modern populations to the animals originally domesticated in this region of Asia. Chinese Mongolian horse populations may therefore retain ancestral genetic variants from the earliest domesticates. Further genomic characterization of these populations in conjunction with archaeogenetic sequence data should be prioritized for understanding recent horse evolution and the domestication process that has led to the wealth of diversity observed in modern global horse breeds.
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Publication Date: 2019-10-20 PubMed ID: 31628847DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esz032Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research discusses an analysis on global horse biogeography focusing on Chinese Mongolian horses. It suggests that Chinese Mongolian horses may retain ancestral genetic variants from the earliest horse domesticates, differing them from other modern horse populations.
Understanding the Research
- The research was conducted on the Chinese Mongolian horse breeds, which are among the oldest extant horse populations in the world. Unlike other domesticated horses, these animals mostly lead free-ranges lives with minimal human intervention. Therefore, studying these horses may provide important insights into the origins and recent evolutionary histories of horses.
- The researchers used high-density genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data from 40 different horse populations worldwide, involving 895 horses. The study mainly focused on the data collected from 100 Chinese Mongolian horses from 5 distinct populations, and their results were genotyped for 670K SNPs. Additionally, they considered data from 35 different breeds genotyped for 35k SNPs.
Analyzing the Findings
- The Chinese Mongolian populations were found to be genetically distinct from all other modern horse populations. This suggests that Chinese Mongolian horses may represent a genetic lineage that is closer to the original horse ancestors in this region of Asia.
- The Chinese Mongolian horse populations also exhibited relatively high genomic diversity compared to other domestic horse breeds. This genetic diversity highlights their possible ancestral genetic variance from the earliest domesticated horses.
Implications of the Research
- The findings of this research suggest a need for further genomic characterization of Chinese Mongolian horse populations in conjunction with archaeogenetic sequence data. It will help gain a better understanding of recent horse evolution and the domestication process.
- This research will be beneficial in delineating the genetic process that led to the abundant diversity observed in modern global horse breeds. Consequently, it may help to unravel the secrets of horse domestication, evolution, and biogeography.
Cite This Article
APA
Han H, Bryan K, Shiraigol W, Bai D, Zhao Y, Bao W, Yang S, Zhang W, MacHugh DE, Dugarjaviin M, Hill EW.
(2019).
Refinement of Global Domestic Horse Biogeography Using Historic Landrace Chinese Mongolian Populations.
J Hered, 110(7), 769-781.
https://doi.org/10.1093/jhered/esz032 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.
- UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, P.R. China.
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, P.R. China.
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, P.R. China.
- Vocational and Technical College of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, P.R. China.
- Inner Mongolia University for the Nationalities, Tongliao, P.R. China.
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China.
- UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.
- UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.
- College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, P.R. China.
- UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Domestic
- Biodiversity
- Breeding
- Cluster Analysis
- Domestication
- Genetic Variation
- Genetics, Population
- Genotype
- Geography
- Horses / classification
- Horses / genetics
- Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- An T, Dugarjaviin M. Differential Expression and Analysis of TBX3 Gene in Skin Tissues of Dun Mongolian Horses with and Without Bider Markings. Animals (Basel) 2026 Jan 18;16(2).
- Han J, Shao H, Sun M, Gao F, Hu Q, Yang G, Jafari H, Li N, Dang R. Genomic insights into the genetic diversity and genetic basis of body height in endangered Chinese Ningqiang ponies. BMC Genomics 2025 Mar 24;26(1):292.
- Han H, Randhawa IAS, MacHugh DE, McGivney BA, Katz LM, Dugarjaviin M, Hill EW. Selection signatures for local and regional adaptation in Chinese Mongolian horse breeds reveal candidate genes for hoof health. BMC Genomics 2023 Jan 19;24(1):35.
- Han H, McGivney BA, Allen L, Bai D, Corduff LR, Davaakhuu G, Davaasambuu J, Dorjgotov D, Hall TJ, Hemmings AJ, Holtby AR, Jambal T, Jargalsaikhan B, Jargalsaikhan U, Kadri NK, MacHugh DE, Pausch H, Readhead C, Warburton D, Dugarjaviin M, Hill EW. Common protein-coding variants influence the racing phenotype in galloping racehorse breeds. Commun Biol 2022 Dec 13;5(1):1320.
- Wen X, Luo S, Lv D, Jia C, Zhou X, Zhai Q, Xi L, Yang C. Variations in the fecal microbiota and their functions of Thoroughbred, Mongolian, and Hybrid horses. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:920080.
- McGivney BA, Han H, Corduff LR, Katz LM, Tozaki T, MacHugh DE, Hill EW. Genomic inbreeding trends, influential sire lines and selection in the global Thoroughbred horse population. Sci Rep 2020 Jan 16;10(1):466.
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