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Home / Equine Research Bank / Genome / Signatures of selection analysis using whole-genome sequence...
Genome2020; 63(8); 387-396; doi: 10.1139/gen-2020-0001

Signatures of selection analysis using whole-genome sequence data reveals novel candidate genes for pony and light horse types.

Abstract: Natural selection and domestication have shaped modern horse populations, resulting in a vast range of phenotypically diverse breeds. Horse breeds are classified into three types (pony, light, and draft) generally based on their body type. Understanding the genetic basis of horse type variation and selective pressures related to the evolutionary trend can be particularly important for current selection strategies. Whole-genome sequences were generated for 14 pony and 32 light horses to investigate the genetic signatures of selection of the horse type in pony and light horses. In the overlapping extremes of the fixation index and nucleotide diversity results, we found novel genomic signatures of selective sweeps near key genes previously implicated in body measurements including , , , , and that may influence variation in pony and light horse types. This study contributes to a better understanding of the genetic background of differences between pony and light horse types.
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Publication Date: 2020-05-14 PubMed ID: 32407640DOI: 10.1139/gen-2020-0001Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

This research investigates the genetic reasons behind the variation in horse types, specifically focusing on pony and light horses. The study uses whole-genome sequence data to uncover new genomic signatures linked with selective breeding, which potentially influences the differences between these horse types.

Objective of the Research

  • The aim of this study was to gain better understanding of the genetic basis of variation in horse types. By studying whole-genome sequences of different horses, the researchers sought to reveal novel genomic signatures that might be connected with selective breeding processes.

Design of the Research

  • The researchers collected whole-genome sequences from different types of horses – 14 ponies and 32 light horses. Using this data, they executed an analysis to find potential genetic signatures of selective breeding processes in horse development.

Findings of the Research

  • In their in-depth analysis of the fixation index and nucleotide diversity, the researchers discovered novel genomic signatures around key genes previously known to be involved in body measurements. These genes could possibly affect the phenotypic variations seen in pony and light horse types.

Implication of the Research

  • This study provides an insight into the genetic reasons underpinning the diversity in horse breeds. The findings about the connection between certain genomic signatures and physical traits of horses can guide future breeding strategies and could also shed light on evolutionary trends within the species.

Cite This Article

APA
Salek Ardestani S, Aminafshar M, Zandi Baghche Maryam MB, Banabazi MH, Sargolzaei M, Miar Y. (2020). Signatures of selection analysis using whole-genome sequence data reveals novel candidate genes for pony and light horse types. Genome, 63(8), 387-396. https://doi.org/10.1139/gen-2020-0001

Publication

Genome
ISSN: 1480-3321
NlmUniqueID: 8704544
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 63
Issue: 8
Pages: 387-396

Researcher Affiliations

Salek Ardestani, Siavash
  • Department of Animal Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran 1477893855, Iran.
Aminafshar, Mehdi
  • Department of Animal Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran 1477893855, Iran.
Zandi Baghche Maryam, Mohammad Bagher
  • Department of Animal Science, University of Zanjan, Zanjan 4537138791, Iran.
Banabazi, Mohammad Hossein
  • Department of Biotechnology, Animal Science Research Institute of Iran, Agricultural Research, Education & Extension Organization, Karaj 3146618361, Iran.
Sargolzaei, Mehdi
  • Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON NIG 2W1, Canada.
  • Select Sires Inc., Plain City, OH 43064, USA.
Miar, Younes
  • Department of Animal Science and Aquaculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS B2N 5E3, Canada.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Evolution
  • Body Size / genetics
  • Gene Ontology
  • Horses / anatomy & histology
  • Horses / genetics
  • Phylogeny
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Selection, Genetic
  • Whole Genome Sequencing / veterinary

Citations

This article has been cited 9 times.
  1. Fang X, Ye H, Zhang S, Guo L, Xu Y, Zhang D, Nie Q. Investigation of potential genetic factors for growth traits in yellow-feather broilers using weighted single-step genome-wide association study. Poult Sci 2023 Aug 18;102(11):103034.
    doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.103034pubmed: 37657249google scholar: lookup
  2. Khalkhali-Evrigh R, Hedayat N, Ming L, Jirimutu. Identification of selection signatures in Iranian dromedary and Bactrian camels using whole genome sequencing data. Sci Rep 2022 Jun 10;12(1):9653.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-14376-7pubmed: 35688969google scholar: lookup
  3. Ghoreishifar SM, Rochus CM, Moghaddaszadeh-Ahrabi S, Davoudi P, Salek Ardestani S, Zinovieva NA, Deniskova TE, Johansson AM. Shared Ancestry and Signatures of Recent Selection in Gotland Sheep. Genes (Basel) 2021 Mar 17;12(3).
    doi: 10.3390/genes12030433pubmed: 33802939google scholar: lookup
  4. Ghoreishifar SM, Eriksson S, Johansson AM, Khansefid M, Moghaddaszadeh-Ahrabi S, Parna N, Davoudi P, Javanmard A. Signatures of selection reveal candidate genes involved in economic traits and cold acclimation in five Swedish cattle breeds. Genet Sel Evol 2020 Sep 4;52(1):52.
    doi: 10.1186/s12711-020-00571-5pubmed: 32887549google scholar: lookup
  5. Lukonina O, Bakoev S, Kolosov Y, Akhmedli V, Bakoeva I, Kolosova M, Usatov A, Kolosov A, Getmantseva L. Study on the Genomic Basis of Adaptation in Salsk Sheep. Biology (Basel) 2025 Nov 18;14(11).
    doi: 10.3390/biology14111620pubmed: 41300409google scholar: lookup
  6. Lewczuk D, Wypchło M, Hecold M, Buczkowska R, Korwin-Kossakowska A. Connections Between Gene Polymorphism and Fetlock and Hock Measurements in Polish Sport Horses. Int J Mol Sci 2025 Oct 2;26(19).
    doi: 10.3390/ijms26199645pubmed: 41096909google scholar: lookup
  7. 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.
    doi: 10.1186/s12864-025-11484-2pubmed: 40128652google scholar: lookup
  8. Yang P, Shang M, Bao J, Liu T, Xiong J, Huang J, Sun J, Zhang L. Whole-Genome Resequencing Revealed Selective Signatures for Growth Traits in Hu and Gangba Sheep. Genes (Basel) 2024 Apr 26;15(5).
    doi: 10.3390/genes15050551pubmed: 38790179google scholar: lookup
  9. Vahedi SM, Salek Ardestani S, Banabazi MH, Clark KF. Strong selection signatures for Aleutian disease tolerance acting on novel candidate genes linked to immune and cellular responses in American mink (Neogale vison). Sci Rep 2024 Jan 10;14(1):1035.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-51039-7pubmed: 38200094google scholar: lookup
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