Abstract
Simple SummaryThe Lusitano Horse (LH) originates from Portugal, but is reared worldwide. Since 1994, the University of Milan has tested the LHs breed reared in Italy for parentage control using microsatellite markers. This study aims to assess the genetic variability of the LHs reared in Italy for more than four decades, in order to obtain information necessary for genetic management.The Lusitano Horse (LH) originates from Portugal, but is reared worldwide. Since 1994, the University of Milan has routinely tested the LHs bred in Italy for parentage control. This study aims to assess the genetic variability of the LH reared in Italy using 16 microsatellites markers. Moreover, the genetic variability changes over the years in the total population (n.384) and in unrelated horses (n.47) were evaluated. Horses were grouped according to their date of birth (1975–1990, 1991–2000, 2001–2010, 2010–2019). Standard genetic diversity parameters, including observed (Ho) and expected (He) heterozygosity, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE; P-Val), allelic richness, and inbreeding coefficient (Fis) were estimated. In the whole period, the total population showed Ho as high as 0.69, low Fis (0.057), and imbalance for HWE. When considering the unrelated horses, Ho was seen to increase over time (from 0.594 in 1975–1990 to 0.68 in 2010–2019) and frequencies were in HWE, again having low and decreasing values of Fis (from 0.208 in 1975–1990 to 0.019 in 2010–2019). Bottleneck analysis excluded a recent population decline. Principal Coordinate Analysis at the individual level defined two clusters, the major cluster including all the most recent horses. An increasing number of dams (156% more from 2001–2010 to 2011–2019) supports the good variability recorded in the population so far. However, the high number of foals (77.2%) sired by only four stallions in recent years suggests caution in the choice of the sires for the future.
Highlights
Introduction published maps and institutional affilThe Lusitano Horse (LH) is one of the most ancient equine breeds
Since being established in 1967, the main official studbook of the LH in Portugal is managed by the Associação Portuguesa de Criadores do Cavalo Puro Sangue Lusitano (ASPL) who keeps records of birth, pedigree, and morphological data of the LH bred worldwide
The genetic variability parameters were calculated for each marker in both the total population and the unrelated horses (Tables S1 and S2 and Figure S1)
Summary
The Lusitano Horse (LH) is one of the most ancient equine breeds. It originates from Portugal, where it is economically the most important horse breed, with a registered population of about 5000 mares and 1000 stallions [1,2]. Since being established in 1967, the main official studbook of the LH in Portugal is managed by the Associação Portuguesa de Criadores do Cavalo Puro Sangue Lusitano (ASPL) who keeps records of birth, pedigree, and morphological data of the LH bred worldwide. All the Lusitano sires registered in the official studbook as breeding stock must be submitted to a morpho-functional test and scored on gaits and conformation.
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