Population structure of Czech cold-blooded breeds of horses

L Vostrý,K Mach,Z Čapková,J Přibyl,H Vostrá Vydrová,B Hofmanová

doi:10.5194/aab-54-1-2011

Abstract

Abstract. In order to estimate effective population size, generation interval and the development of inbreeding coefficients (Fx) in three original breeds of cold-blooded horses kept in the Czech Republic: Silesian Noriker (SN), Noriker (N) and Czech-Moravian Belgian horse (CMB) all animals of the particular breeds born from 1990 to 2007 were analysed. The average values of generation interval between parents and their offspring were: 8.53 in SN, 8.88 in N and 8.56 in CMB. Average values of effective population size were estimated to be: 86.3 in SN, 162.3 in N and 104.4 in CMB. The average values of inbreeding coefficient were 3.13 % in SN stallions and 3.39 % in SN mares, in the N breed 1.76 % and 1.26 % and in the CMB breed 3.84 % and 3.26 % respectively. Overall averages of Fx were: 3.23 %, 1.51 % and 3.55 % for the breeds SN, N and CMB. The average value of inbreeding coefficient Fx increased by 1.22 % in SN, by 0.35 % in N and by 1.01 % in CMB, respectively. This may lead to a reduction in genetic variability. Reduction in genetic variability could be either controlled in cooperation with corresponding populations of cold-blooded breeds in other European countries or controlled by number of sires used in population

Highlights

Small populations such as the three breeds of cold-blooded horses in the Czech Republic – Silesian Noriker (SN), Noriker (N) and Czech-Moravian Belgian Horse (CMB) – bear the risk of inbreeding and reduction in genetic diversity with the population
A reduction in genetic diversity is connected with the parameter of effective population size which is used to design the strategy for the conservation of endangered animal species (Bijma et al 2001)
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) classifies breeds into different categories according to the type of endangerment, e.g. whether population size increases, decreases or remains stable

Summary

Introduction

Vostrý et al.: Population structure of Czech cold-blooded breeds of horses erfolgte eine Zunahme des Inzuchtkoeffizienten bei SN, N, und CMB von 1,22, 0,35 und 1,01 %. Small populations such as the three breeds of cold-blooded horses in the Czech Republic – Silesian Noriker (SN), Noriker (N) and Czech-Moravian Belgian Horse (CMB) – bear the risk of inbreeding and reduction in genetic diversity with the population.

Objectives

Results

Conclusion