Genetic diversity and admixture among Canadian, Mountain and Moorland and Nordic pony populations

Abstract

As part of the requirements of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Canada has been investigating the genetic diversity of its native equine and pony populations. Along with examining four indigenous Canadian equine populations (Canadian horse, Lac La Croix pony, Newfoundland pony and Sable Island population), another 10 Mountain and Moorland, three Nordic, four horse and two feral equine populations (thought to have influenced some pony breeds) were also investigated. In total, 821 individuals were genotyped at 38 microsatellite loci. Results of the analysis of molecular variance indicated that 13.3% of genetic diversity was explained by breed differences, whereas 84.6% and 2.1% of diversity came from within and among individuals, respectively. The average effective number of alleles and allelic richness was the lowest in the Eriskay (2.51 and 3.98) and Lac La Croix (2.83 and 4.01) populations, whereas it was highest in the New Forest (4.31 and 6.01) and Welsh (4.33 and 5.87) breeds, followed closely by the Newfoundland-CDN (4.23 and 5.86) population. Expected heterozygosities varied from 0.61 in the Lac La Croix to 0.74 in the Welsh and in Newfoundland. Observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.57 in the Exmoor and 0.58 in the Sable Island herd to 0.77 in the Kerry Bog and 0.76 in the New Forest breeds. Structure and admixture analyses revealed that the most likely number of clusters was 21, although some substructure was also observed when K 5 16, compared with the 24 predefined populations. Information gathered from this study should be combined with other available phenotypic and pedigree data to develop, or amend, a suitable conservation strategy for all populations examined.

Diversity and effective population size of four horse breeds from microsatellite DNA markers in South-Central Mexico

“…In general, the present results confirmed the usefulness of microsatellites in the assessment of genetic diversity and integrity of different horse breeds around the world (Aberle et al, 2004;Solis et al, 2005;Marletta et al, 2006;Luis et al, 2007;Burócziová andŘíha, 2009;Leroy et al, 2009;Chauhan et al, 2011;Ling et al, 2011;van de Goor et al, 2011;Conant et al, 2012;Prystupa et al, 2012;Khanshour et al, 2013;Berber et al, 2014). Genetic characterization helps to assure breed integrity and to assign individuals to defined populations (Glowatzki-Mullis et al, 2006).…”

“…In some genetic diversity studies with microsatellites the number of horses analysed per breed ranged from 17 to 24 (Aberle et al, 2004;Solis et al, 2005;Marletta et al, 2006;Burócziová andŘíha, 2009;Leroy et al, 2009;Chauhan et al, 2011;Ling et al, 2011;van de Goor et al, 2011;Prystupa et al, 2012;Khanshour et al, 2013;Berber et al, 2014), which is similar to the number of animals used per breed in the present study.…”

Increasing density leads to generalization in both coarse‐grained habitat selection and fine‐grained resource selection in a large mammal

“…; Prystupa et al . ). Feral horses exhibit a mating system characterized by female‐defence polygyny with persistent, nonterritorial breeding groups (bands) and transitory mixed adolescent or bachelor groups (Linklater et al .…”

Explaining Spatial Heterogeneity in Population Dynamics and Genetics from Spatial Variation in Resources for a Large Herbivore

“…The Sable Island horse presents a markedly distinct genetic structure from other horse breeds and is likely of mid-18th century Acadian (eastern French Canadian) origin. The population is most closely related to the Nordic pony breeds [24], [25], [26].…”