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Yi chuan = Hereditas2022; 44(3); 216-229; doi: 10.16288/j.yczz.21-260

The origin and domestication history of domestic horses and the domestication characteristics of breeds.

Abstract: The horse (Equus caballus) was domesticated thousands of years after dog, cattle, pig, sheep, and goat. Importantly, it represents the domestic animal that mostly impacted the development of human civilization. Its excellent loading and moving ability prompted the changes from fixed farming mode into mobile sharing mode. Accordingly, its domestication history deserves considerable attention. So far, many issues have long been controversial, due to the extinction of the closest wild relatives and the dramatic reduction of genetic diversity. With the continuous development of sequencing technology and the utilization of ancient samples, we got more clues to the origin and domestication process. In this review, we summarize 1) current progresses on the domestication history revealed by nuclear genes, mtDNA, Y chromosome, and ancient DNA, 2) the characteristics of population structure and diversification among modern breeds, 3) the genetic basis of important phenotypes, such as coat color, speed, and body size. The overall aim of the review is to provide in-depth insights into the studies of horse domestication, the preservation and utilization of genetic resources, the direction of breeding improvement, and the development of modern horse industry in future. 在家犬(Canis lupus familiaris)、牛(Bos taurus)、猪(Sus scrofa domesticus)、绵羊(Ovis aries)、山羊(Capra hircus)等家养动物之后,家马(Equus caballus)才被人类成功驯化。虽然驯化历史很短,但其对人类社会文明发展变革的影响却最大。家马出色的负重移动能力使人类社会由固定的农耕模式向移动分享模式过渡,使历史发展进入了快车道,因此其起源驯化历史一直备受关注。然而由于家马直系同源野生种早已灭绝,加之现代品种化培育引起遗传多样性骤减,使得相关研究长期争议不断。随着测序技术的不断发展和古代样品的逐步丰富,目前对家马起源驯化过程、群体遗传结构等方面的研究越来越深入。本文从核基因、mtDNA、Y染色体、古DNA等不同层面综述了家马起源与驯化历史方面的研究进展,从品种分化状况、群体演化特征等方面讨论了现代家马品种的群体遗传结构,最后总结了马匹毛色、速度、体型等重要表型性状的遗传基础,以期为今后家马的起源驯化研究、种质资源保护与开发、品种优化方向、现代马业发展等方面提供参考。.
Publication Date: 2022-03-22 PubMed ID: 35307645DOI: 10.16288/j.yczz.21-260Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research discusses the domestication history of horses, indicating how they were tamed much later than other animals like dogs and cattle, yet they made a significant impact on human civilization. The paper provides findings on genetic diversity, domestication characteristics, and genetic resources useful for future studies and breeding improvements.

Origin and Domestication History of Horses

The study provides an overview of the domestication history of horses (Equus caballus), indicating that horses were tamed after several other animals including dogs, cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats. However, despite their late domestication, the horse’s ability to carry loads and mobility played a pivotal role in transforming human civilization from a fixed farming to a mobile sharing mode. The extinction of their wild counterparts and the significant reduction in their genetic diversity brought about by modern breeding resulted in several controversies regarding their domestication history.

  • The research includes recent progress on the domestication history of horses through the study of nuclear genes, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), Y-chromosome, and ancient DNA.

Population Structure and Diversification Among Breeds

The review also focuses on the population structure and diversification among modern horse breeds.

  • It discusses the breeding conditions and evolution traits of modern horse species.

Genetic Basis of Important Phenotypes

The research additionally delves into the genetic basis of crucial phenotypes such as coat color, speed, and body size in horses.

  • Knowledge about the genetic basis of these phenotypes is essential as it offers references for future studies, breeding improvement, and development of the horse industry.

Preservation and Utilization of Genetic Resources

The article aims to offer insights useful in the preservation and utilization of genetic resources, breeding improvement, and the development of the horse industry in the future.

  • Bringing focus on domestication research, the safeguarding and development of genetic resources, breeding optimization, and modern horse industry development.

In summary, the review offers a comprehensive insight into the study of horse domestication, thereby providing a foundation for future research and developments in the horse industry.

Cite This Article

APA
Fu M, Li Y. (2022). The origin and domestication history of domestic horses and the domestication characteristics of breeds. Yi Chuan, 44(3), 216-229. https://doi.org/10.16288/j.yczz.21-260

Publication

ISSN: 0253-9772
NlmUniqueID: 9436478
Country: China
Language: English
Volume: 44
Issue: 3
Pages: 216-229

Researcher Affiliations

Fu, Meng
  • State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resource in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China.
Li, Yan
  • State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resource in Yunnan, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Domestic / genetics
  • Breeding
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics
  • Domestication
  • Horses / genetics
  • Phylogeny

Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Capomaccio S, Ablondi M, Colombi D, Sartori C, Giontella A, Cappelli K, Mancin E, Asti V, Mantovani R, Sabbioni A, Silvestrelli M. Exploring the Italian equine gene pool via high-throughput genotyping.. Front Genet 2023;14:1099896.
    doi: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1099896pubmed: 36755577google scholar: lookup