Phenotype and Genotype Differences of Meat Type “Tselinny” within Kalmyk Horse Breed

Abstract

In the Republic of Kalmykia, the horse breeding segment is reaching up to 6 % of the whole agricultural industry. The number of horses has a tendency to increase. This is determined by the low cost, as well as by environmental friendliness of keeping horses, and horses’ adaptability to harsh conditions. There are four breeding plants on the territory of Kalmykia, which are actively involved in Kalmyk horses breed rearing. Recently a distinct meat-type was isolated within the Kalmyk breed, which was named “Tselinny” meat-type (further Tselinny). The goal of the presented paper is to compare purebred horses with a pool of horses belonging to newly isolated type Tselinny. Genotype of both populations consists of 14 and 15 alleles, as 84.4 % and 78.8 % of horses have these alleles (purebred and Tselinny type respectively). Animal of Tselinny meat-type do not have 16 and 17 alleles, while more than 10 % of purebred horses of the Kalmyk breed have these two alleles in their genotype. The difference in genotype is confirmed by the difference in phenotype: these are differences in size and meat productivity of horses. Both stallions and mares of Tsenilly meat type are bigger and have higher weight. When we come to the meat productivity, the weight of the meat from young animals of Tselinny type was by 21 % (45 kg) higher. Horses belonging to the Tselinny type differ from purebred animals of Kalmyk breed both in genotype and phenotype. At the same time, exemplar of both groups keep features of Kalmyk horse breed. It is important to develop different types within the breed, based on the intended goal of breeding.