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Home / Equine Research Bank / Anim Genet / The genetic structure of Spanish Celtic horse breeds inferre...
Animal genetics2000; 31(1); 39-48; doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2052.2000.00591.x

The genetic structure of Spanish Celtic horse breeds inferred from microsatellite data.

Abstract: Partition of the genetic variability, genetic structure and relationships among seven Spanish Celtic horse breeds were studied using PCR amplification of 13 microsatellites on 481 random individuals. In addition, 60 thoroughbred horses were included. The average observed heterozygosity and the mean number of alleles were higher for the Atlantic horse breeds than for the Balearic Islands breeds. Only eight percentage of the total genetic variability could be attributed to differences among breeds (mean FST approximately 0.08; P < 0.01). Atlantic breeds clearly form a separate cluster from the Balearic Islands breeds and among the former only two form a clear clustering, while the rest of Atlantic breeds (Jaca Navarra, Caballo Gallego and Pottoka) are not consistently differentiated. Multivariate analysis showed that Asturcon populations, Losina and Balearic Islands breeds are clearly separated from each other and from the rest of the breeds. In addition to this, the use of the microsatellites proved to be useful for breed assignment.
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Publication Date: 2000-02-26 PubMed ID: 10690360DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2052.2000.00591.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 investigated the genetic structure and relationships of seven Spanish Celtic horse breeds, using analysis of 13 microsatellites in 481 randomly selected horses. It found that Atlantic horse breeds had higher genetic variability than the Balearic Island breeds. Only eight percent of the total genetic variability was due to differences among the breeds. The Atlantic breeds appeared to form a separate cluster from the Balearic Islands breeds.

Genetic Variability and Structure

  • The study aimed to understand the partition of genetic variability and structure among Spanish Celtic horse breeds. This was executed by amplifying 13 microsatellites using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in 481 randomly selected individuals.
  • The notion of genetic variability refers to the degree of genetic differentiation within a species. It is a measure of the richness of the genetic pool of a population.
  • Out of the seven horse breeds studied, those from the Atlantic region exhibited greater genetic variability and a higher mean number of alleles, as compared to those from Balearic Islands. This could suggest a larger genetic pool or might reference to the selective breeding practices, geographical location, or past migrations.

Genetic Differences Across Breeds

  • About 8% of the observed total genetic variability could be assigned to differences among the horse breeds. These genetic differences among breeds are commonly expressed in terms of a fixation index (FST). An FST value near 0.08 was observed in this study.
  • An FST value provides a measure of genetic differentiation among subpopulations, in this case, horse breeds. The value of 0.08 suggests a significant but not major differentiation between the horse breeds, meaning that the majority of the genetic variation observed is within, not among, the breeds.

Clustering of Breeds and Breed Assignment

  • The studied Atlantic breeds formed a clearly separate cluster from the Balearic Islands breeds. In other words, the Atlantic breeds share more genetic similarities among themselves than with the breeds from Balearic Islands.
  • Within the Atlantic breeds, only two breeds formed a clear sub-cluster, signifying further genetic similarities between them. However, the other Atlantic breeds (Jaca Navarra, Caballo Gallego and Pottoka) did not show clear differentiation from each other, implying that they share a high degree of genetic homogeneity.
  • The research also found that the Asturcon populations, Losina, and Balearic Islands breeds were clearly separated from each other and from the rest, indicating distinct genetic structures amongst these breeds.
  • The study found that microsatellite analysis was useful for breed assignment. This can be of important implication for breed conservation programs and population management strategies.

Cite This Article

APA
Cañon J, Checa ML, Carleos C, Vega-Pla JL, Vallejo M, Dunner S. (2000). The genetic structure of Spanish Celtic horse breeds inferred from microsatellite data. Anim Genet, 31(1), 39-48. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2052.2000.00591.x

Publication

Animal genetics
ISSN: 0268-9146
NlmUniqueID: 8605704
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 31
Issue: 1
Pages: 39-48

Researcher Affiliations

Cañon, J
  • Laboratorio de Genetica, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain.
Checa, M L
    Carleos, C
      Vega-Pla, J L
        Vallejo, M
          Dunner, S

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Breeding
            • Data Interpretation, Statistical
            • Female
            • Genetic Variation
            • Horses / genetics
            • Male
            • Microsatellite Repeats
            • Multivariate Analysis
            • Phylogeny
            • Polymerase Chain Reaction
            • Spain

            Citations

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