Mitochondrial and pedigree analysis in Przewalski's horse populations: implications for genetic management and reintroductions

Abstract

Background and Aims: Przewalski’s horses have been imported from the western zoos to China since 1985. Yet the genetic diversity in China’s populations has not been studied, thus lacking of such knowledge inevitably affects this population’s management. The aim of this study was to assess genetic diversity in Chinese population of Przewalski’s horses via mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region and pedigree analysis. Materials and methods: Two captive and one reintroduced populations were examined based on mitochondrial DNA control region variation via fecal sampling from 2010 to 2012, together with pedigree analysis. Results: Amplification success rates of fecal mtDNA were as high as 96.2% (93.8%–100%), and were higher for sample in winter than in summer and autumn. Two haplotypes were identified and shared among three populations, but the proportion of individuals with each haplotype varied among the three populations (FST = 0.10874, p = 0.00978). Haplotype diversity in the released population (0.153) was much lower than that in the two captive populations (0.4011 and 0.4966), in accordance with the direction of increase in probability of identity at the dam lines. Conclusion: Future concerns in Przewalski’s horse population management should emphasize on strict reproduction control to minimize inbreeding in captivity, followed by long-term genetic diversity guidelines and non-invasive monitoring in the reintroduction programmes.