Lipizzan Research Articles

Association of body shape with amount of Arabian genetic contribution in the Lipizzan horse

Abstract. Crossbreeding between individuals of different breeds and introgression, the transfer of genes between breeds and/or populations mediated primarily by backcrossing, have been characteristic tools used in the refinement or optimisation of practical horse breeding. In this study we analysed the genetic contribution of the Arabian horse to the gene pool of the Lipizzan horse and its association with the overall type via shape regression analysis in 158 Lipizzan horses from the Austrian federal stud farm of Piber and the Spanish Riding School. Although crossbreeding with Arabian horses took place between 1776 and 1945, we found a significant association between Lipizzan body shape (p < 0.003) and individual coefficients of Arabian gene proportion, which varied from 21 to 29 %. In order to compare and interpret the estimated Lipizzan shape transitions from Iberian type towards the oriental type, we included a sample of 32 Shagya Arabians from the Slovak National stud farm Topol'ćianky. The estimated shape transitions in Lipizzans due to an increasing proportion of Arabian genes are similar to those we observed in the population comparison study of Lipizzan and Shagya Arabian horses. The main morphometric differences due to increasing Arabian genetic contributions in Lipizzans were found in the conformation of head, neck, withers, and legs. Although selection in the Austrian Lipizzan breed favours the Iberian type, Arabian shape characteristics are still present, indicating the segregation of Arabian founder haplotypes in the population. We also demonstrated that techniques of shape analysis are able to differentiate phenotypes associated with the gene pool and can be applied for phenotypic evaluation and prediction in crossbreeding programs.

Porovnanie interiérových vlastností koní slovenského teplokrvníka a lipicana

One of the important factors that significantly affects the intensity and content of training and determines the performance it the horse interior. Character and temperament traits are described in the breeding goals of each breed of horse. The aim of this study was to analyze the horse interior and comparison the interior characteristics of two studied horse breeds Slovak warmblood horses and Lipizzan horses. Into the analysis were included 65 horses from National Stud Farm Topoľčianky, Slovak warmblood horses (n1 = 33) and Lipizzan horses (n2 = 32).Interior was analyzed through a questionnaire with 13 indicators with 10 point system, where 10 being the highest rating. Slovak warmblood horses become the highest ratings (average 89.1 pt, 74.42%) and Lipizzan horses (86.1 pt, 66.2%), so both breeds of horses can be considered as the breeds with balanced characteristics of temperament and character. But Lipizzan horses are more balanced, because their results had lower variability. There were insignificant differences between the analyzed horses in the studied breeds. Nevertheless, a several analyzes of individual indicators showed that between the Slovak warmblood horses and Lipizzan horses there is a significant difference in a single indicator of interior - 10 - Stress managing. In particular, it has been shown that Lipizzan horses manage stress significantly better than Slovak warmblood horses.

Breeding goals and selection effort in the breeding of Lipizzan horses in the stud farm Vucijaka from 1946 to 2015

The Lipizzan horse belongs to the oldest European horse breeds. In the year 1946 the Bosnian Lipizzan state stud farm Vucijak, located next to the town Prnjavor, was founded. The foundation stock originated from the Croatian state stud farms Lipik and Djakovo, and from private owners in Croatia. The breeding goal of Vucijak was to obtain a Lipizzan horse of a smaller body frame suitable for driving and the use as pack horses. The aim of this study was to compare anatomical body measurements of the founder animals with measurements of actual breeding population. From in total 41 horses (10 stallions and 31 mares) following body measurements were taken: height at withers (measured by tape), circumference of chest and circumference of cannon bone forelimb. All horses was 4 years or older at the time of measuring. In order to compare the actual breeding population with the foundation population we extracted comparable data of 17 stallions and 36 mares from the stud book. On the basis of the morphological measures, compactness and bonines index were calculated. The results showed that today's Lipizzan horse of the Vucijak stud are smaller in height at whiters and circumference of chest, while the circumference of cannon bone is larger than documented for founders. The t-test showed a statistically significant difference in the height at whiters and circumference of cannon bone. On the basis of the obtained results, it can be concluded that today's Lipizzan from the Bosnian stud farm Vucijak have a smaller body frame, which confirmed selection success.

MICROSATELLITE DIVERSITY OF CROSSBRED HORSES RAISED IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

The focus of this study was microsatellite diversity of crossbred horses raised in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples of 20 individuals (KBA group – 7 individuals, crosses between Bosnian and Herzegovinian mountain horse and Arabian horse; KBR group – 9 individuals, crosses between Bosnian and Herzegovinian mountain and Belgian horses, crosses between Bosnian and Herzegovinian mountain horses and Holstein, crosses between Bosnian and Herzegovinian mountain and Lipizzaner horses and KBN group – 4 individuals, crosses between Bosnian and Herzegovinian mountain horse with an unknown origin of the other parent). The samples were profiled using 17 microsatellite markers. This method consisted of multiplex PCR procedure and generated reasonable amplification across all the loci. All samples were genotyped successfully. Considering all the observed parameters, VHL20 locus showed the highest microsatellite diversity. Locus HMS7 was the least variable in KBR group, while HMS1 locus was the least diverse in KBN group. The highest microsatellite diversity in KBA group was found at AHT5 locus while HTG6 locus was the least diverse. Obtained results suggest that the investigated populations of crossbred horses from Bosnia and Herzegovina are not affected by substantial loss of genetic diversity, as indicated by the presence of reasonably high level of genetic variation. An increase in the inbreeding coefficient and sufficient heterogenity in KBN group indicate occurrence of consanguineous mating. The present research contributes to the knowledge of current status of genetic structure of the investigated crossbred horses.

SPATIAL STRUCTURE OF THE LIPIZZAN HORSE GENE POOL BASED ON MICROSATELLITE VARIATIONS ANALYSIS

The aim of this study was to determine the current state of genetic diversityand to assess the substructure and spatial structure at individual level based onanalysis of microsatellite variations within Lipizzan horse population. The genomicDNA samples were obtained from totally 418 horses, originating from Slovenian(357) and Slovak (61) studs. A set of 13 microsatellite markers (AHT4, AHT5,ASB2, HMS1, HMS2, HMS3, HMS6, HMS7, HTG10, HTG4, HTG6, HTG7, andVHL20) have been used for analysis of genetic variability. Across all microsatelliteloci the average number of alleles 6.65 and effective allele number at level 3.37were found. The obtained Shannon's information index (I=1.37) indicated highdegree within population genetic diversity. The prevalence of heterozygousgenotype in sample confirmed also the average value of observed heterozygosity(Ho=0.67) and FIS index (-0.026). The most of the genetic variation in sample wasconserved within individuals (95%) and the subdivision of horse populationsexplained only 4%. Similarly, the obtained pairwise values of FST index (0.02) andNei's genetic identity (0.90) reflected mainly common ancestors used in breedinghistory of both population. But the principal coordinate analysis showed thedivision of individuals into the two separate clusters according to the studs wherethey come from. The membership probability resulted from spatial structureanalysis suggested that the frequencies of alleles varied across the two regions thatindicated the evidence of strong distinction in relation to the current breeding statusof analysed populations and strategy of studs.

Genotyping of German and Austrian Taylorella equigenitalis isolates using repetitive extragenic palindromic (REP) PCR and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE)

A total of 124 Taylorella (T.) equigenitalis and five T. asinigenitalis field isolates collected between 2002 and 2014 were available for genotyping using REP- (repetitive extragenic palindromic) PCR and PFGE (pulsed-field gel electrophoresis). The study comprised 79 T. equigenitalis field isolates originating from ten defined breeds of German horses and revealed a spectrum of five REP (rep-E1-E4, rep-E3a) and 15 PFGE (TE-A1-A9, TE-B1-B3, TE-C, TE-E1, and TE-E2) genotypes. T. equigenitalis field isolates (n=40) obtained from Austrian Lipizzaner horses were differentiated into three REP (rep-E1, rep-E3a, and rep-E4) and three PFGE genotypes (TE-A2, TE-A5, and TE-D); those isolated from four Austrian Trotters belonged to the REP/PFGE genotype rep-E2/TE-A1. Interestingly, a T. equigenitalis isolate recovered from a Holsteiner stallion living in South Africa revealed the REP/PFGE genotype rep-E1/TE-A5 which was otherwise exclusively present in the majority of Austrian Lipizzaner horses in our study. The type strain included in this study revealed the genotype REP/PFGE rep-E1/TE-F. Six strains of T. asinigenitalis including the type strain were separated into three REP (rep-A1-A3) and six PFGE genotypes (TA-A1, TA-A2, TA-A3, TA-B, TA-C, TA-D). Overall, the generated REP and PFGE genotypes showed a good correlation, whereas REP-PCR proved to be a suitable method for molecular epidemiological screening of T. equigenitalis and T. asinigenitalis isolates that should be differentiated in detail by genotyping using PFGE.

Detailed insight into genetic diversity of the Old Kladruber horse substructure in comparison to the Lipizzan breed

ABSTRACTThe aim of the present study was to analyse the genetic subdivision of the Old Kladruber horse population compared to the historically close Lipizzan breed and to estimate genetic relatedness between them. A set of 13 microsatellites was used for genotyping a total of 270 Old Kladruber horses representing grey and black colour varieties and 418 Lipizzan horses from Slovak and Slovenian studs. The proportion of obtained heterozygosity indicates no major loss of genetic diversity within them. At the individual level across analysed populations, the formation of clusters in respect to breed’s origin and particular studs was observed. The Wright’s FST and genetic distances indicated genetic segregation of both colour varieties at the intraspecific level of the Kladruber breed. Moreover, the membership probability outputs showed that the frequencies of alleles varied across the three main regions represented by both Old Kladruber varieties and Lipizzan, depending on breeding history and strategy of studs.

Pedigree analysis of the endangered Old Kladruber horse population

The Old Kladruber horse, along with the Lipizzaner horse, Andalusian horse and Lusitano horse, is of the original Italo-Spanish type. The Old Kladruber horse is kept in two colour varieties (grey and black). Because the population is closed, there is a concern about the loss of genetic variation. The genetic diversity and population structure were analysed in the Old Kladruber horse breed based on the pedigree information of animals that were registered in the Studbook to identify factors that may have affected the genetic variability of the breed. Pedigree records collected from 1729 to 2013 contained information on 7971 animals that were used in the analyses. The pedigree depth was up to 33 generations, with an average of 15.1 complete generations. The effective number of founders and ancestors contributing to the current genetic pool was 92.69 and 17.16, respectively. The average values of the inbreeding coefficient were as follows: 13% (with a maximum value of 29%) for the reference population (individuals that can currently take part in reproduction, n=612), 11% for the grey variety (with a maximum value of 25%) and 15% for the black variety (with a maximum value of 29%). The proportion of inbred animals was high (99%). The average rate of inbreeding in the reference population was 1%, 0.8% for the grey variety and 1.1% for the black variety, and the respective estimates of the effective population sizes were 52 for the reference population, 62 for the grey variety and 45 for the black variety. The estimated percentage of genetic diversity lost due to non-random mating within subpopulations and the reference population was 1.0%, 1.0% and 1.2%, respectively. The total loss of genetic diversity in the reference population, in the grey variety and in the black variety was 11%, 13% and 17%, respectively.

Comparison between manual and stereovision body traits measurements of Lipizzan horses

The Lipizzan horse is one of the oldest European horse breeds, its documented origins date back to 1580 in the Imperial stud-farm at Lipizza and are currently used the high-riding school, dressage and others equestrian sports as well as recreational activities. They are also traditionally selected by their morphological characteristics. The aim of this study was to verify the accuracy between manual measurements and stereo-image ones, for the most important linear, angular and circumference measures used for breeding purposes. In this approach a dual web-camera system, in combination with an image analysis algorithm, is proposed to automatically extract the information needed. For this reason a model species such as Lipizzan horse has been chosen and the most important biometric variables (linear measurements and angles) have been selected and taken into consideration. Ten horses were analyzed manually and using a stereovision system taking into account six linear measurements and two angles. The comparison between manual and stereovision measurements showed a high total correlation (r=0.998) and a low variability between operators (SD=0.0004). The average error, lower than 3% and difference in magnitude of error depending by specific traits. In conclusion the stereovision system prototyped could be a good tool to improve phenotyping and enlarge the basis of population involved in breeding programs of horses as well as in other livestock species.

Computational approach to utilisation of mitochondrial DNA in the verification of complex pedigree errors

Mitochondrial DNA information can be used to verify pedigree concordance of both close and remote relatives along maternal lines. Different haplotypes in the same maternal line point out to an error in the pedigree. This has been used in several studies as the indication of the accuracy of the pedigree data. In all of these studies the collation of the haplotype data has been performed manually. With large pedigrees this is a tedious work prone to mistakes. We present the computational approach to this task based on the algorithm that systematically traces non-concordance among all sequenced individuals through maternal pedigree. Based on the number of found errors, we have introduced several numerical descriptors of pedigree quality. We demonstrate the functionality of our program with the analysis of a small example taken from a long and complex Lipizzan horse pedigree.

Evaluation of horse personality based on constitutional characteristics

The analysis of horse personality is an important topic in horse breeding. Knowledge of personality enables proper training for a horse, which leads to a better animal welfare. Horse personality can be graded according to four methods: 1) questionnaire-based personality assessment method, 2) personality assessment based on heart rate, 3) and behavioural tests and 4) method of grading the personality by viewing constitutional characteristics. Most widely used is the questionnaire-based method and the method with behavioural tests. The methods with heart rate and constitutional characteristics are showing some potential but more work needs to be done to ensure reliability and to improve results interpretation. This paper presents a short review of the mentioned methods and provides preliminary results of a pilot study where we used the method of grading the personality by focusing on constitutional characteristics of animals´ heads. The method was tested on three Lipizzaner horses. Features of the head of the horses were explained by following the recommendations of Tellington Jones in Taylor (2009). The obtained results were compared to personality grades, provided by horse coaches in a questionnaire. Results matched the questionnaire grades in gelding 77 % while in the mares 80 % and 47 %. Horse personality assessment focusing on constitutional characteristics of horses has a great potential as a reliable method, but more work is needed to be acceptable for a practical use.

Prevalence of asinine herpesvirus type 5 (AsHV-5) infection in clinically normal Lipizzaner horses

The aim of this study was to assess the extent of asinine herpesvirus (AsHV) type 5 infection in ‘closed’ populations of clinically normal Lipizzaner horses. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells plus nasal and conjunctival swabs were obtained on four occasions over an 18month period from 266 animals as part of a health surveillance programme. Sequence analysis of samples that were positive by nested consensus herpesvirus PCR but negative using quantified equid herpesvirus (EHV) type 2 and 5 PCR, revealed a total of 51 samples from 39 horses positive for AsHV-5. No statistically significant association between animal age, gender or geographical location and infection status was identified. The findings suggest sub-clinical AsHV-5 infection may be encountered more frequently than previously reported.

Evaluation of the conformation of stallions of selected horse breeds

The aim of this study was to evaluate the conformation of stallions of the breeds American Quarter Horse (AQH), American Paint Horse (APH), Appaloosa (Appa), the Lipizzaner horse (LH) and the Old Kladruby horse (OKH). Representatives of these breeds are characterized as the descendants of horses on the base of the Arab-Berber blood. Western breeds (AQH, APH, Appa) due to different environmental conditions, nutrition and the other structure under the influence of a different type of use, type of riding demands differed considerably from the original Spanish-type horses. It was measured a total of 24 body dimensions. Representatives of The American western breeds are statistically highly conclusively (P ≤ 0.01) in 23 of the 24 observed effects. To be precise, they are: smaller wither height as measured by stick, lower at the tail-set, longer neck, narrower chest, longer oblique body length, wider front pelvis length, longer pelvis bones, longer femur bones, shorter hind cannons.A statistically significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) was found in the length of the humerus, where the Old Kladruby Horse has a humerus that is longer by 2.34 cm than that of the APH. The Lipizzaner horse differs statistically highly conclusively (P ≤ 0.01) from the Appaloosa and Old Kladruby horse in the tape length of its head.

Genetic structure and admixture between the Posavina and Croatian Coldblood in contrast to Lipizzan horse from Croatia

The Posavina and Croatian Coldblood are Croatian autochthonous horse breeds with interwoven breeding histories for which studbooks have only recently been established. The Lipizzan breed has the oldest formalized breeding and no record of recent genetic introgression from other breeds in Croatia. We analyzed the genetic structure, interbreeding, and breed characteristics by genotyping nine dinucleotide microsatellite loci for 53 Posavina, 37 Croatian Coldblood, and 33 Lipizzan horses and showed that differing breeding schemes and histories have had a strong and measurable impact on the population genetic structure within and between the three breeds. A Bayesian clustering method demonstrated that two population clusters best explain the genetic structure. Samples from the pre-defined breeds of the Posavina and Croatian Coldblood were assigned to a separate genetic cluster, while Lipizzan specimens were assigned to another distinct genetic group. Twelve samples of the Posavina/Croatian Coldblood cluster (13%) showed admixed ancestry with Lipizzan horses. A test for heterozygosity excess, allele frequency distribution mode-shift, and M-ratio test were used to detect genetic evidence of recent population bottlenecks, none of which provided evidence for bottlenecks in the Posavina and Croatian Coldblood populations. In contrast, although somewhat ambiguous, evidence suggests a genetic bottleneck in the Lipizzan population in Croatia.

Surgical Management of Large Colon Impaction/ Dysfunction by Ventral Midline Celiotomy in Two Lipizzan Horses

A four-year-old and seven-year-old Lipizzan mares were referred for examination of colicepisodes of 2 days and 5 days duration. Physical examinations revealed distended large colon filledwith dehydrated faeces. Colon impaction/dysfunction was diagnosed in both horses, and no resolutionwas observed after medical treatment. Surgical exploration of the abdomen confirmed a distendedcolon filled with hard faeces. Surgeries were performed by means of pelvic flexure and dorsal colonenterotomies and evacuations of contents. The enterotomies were closed using Polidioxanone 2-0 in asimple continuous pattern oversewn by a Lembert’s pattern. Linea alba was closed routinely. Thehorses were discharged 14 days after surgery. Because of acute episodes of abdominal pain with signsof peritonitis occurred in a mare, it was euthanisied. A slight dehiscence of enterotomy site after 21days postoperative was observed at necropsy. Informations obtained from the owner 3 months afterdischarge in case of the other mare revealed full recovery of the horse.

Molecular analysis of genetic diversity, population structure and inbreeding level of the Italian Lipizzan horse

In this study, we examine the population structure and inbreeding level of the Italian Lipizzan horse breed by means of AFLP fingerprinting and SSR genotyping. A total of 245 AFLP marker alleles were scored across all horses (n=140) living in the Italian Lipizzan stud in 2007, and microsatellite analysis was performed on all mares (n=42) and stallions (n=7) by genotyping at 30 SSR marker loci. A total of 53 (21.6%) AFLP marker alleles were scored as polymorphic among the animals, with a mean frequency of 0.722. Based on this subset of markers, 123 animals were assigned to three distinct subgroups of 44, 41 and 38 animals, respectively, each one showing a within-subgroup mean Dice's genetic similarity around 86% (standard error<0.3%), whereas the remaining 17 animals that displayed an admixed ancestry (membership<45%) were clustered apart, with a between-subgroup genetic similarity spanning from 80% to 83%. All animals could be discriminated from each other on the basis of multi-locus DNA fingerprints. However, only 6% of the genetic variation was found among subgroups, as supported by the low fixation index Fst=0.058. In the mares and stallions, a total number of 146 marker alleles were detected across the assayed SSR loci, with a mean marker allele frequency of 0.485 and an observed and effective number of alleles per locus of 4.710 and 2.921, respectively. The Nei's unbiased heterozygosity for the Italian Lipizzan horse breed was equal to H=63.5% and the Wright's inbreeding coefficient had an average value of Fis=−0.133, suggesting an excess of heterozygosity. Significant (P<0.01) pair-wise linkage disequilibria between AFLP marker alleles as well as between SSR marker alleles were found in the whole Lipizzan population. It was found that mating plan optimization could reduce the average relatedness to 0.619, a lower value than that obtained by casual unions between stallions and mares (0.740). The findings described here will be useful for the indirect selection of animals based on markers linked to traits of interest and for the assessment of conservation priorities and strategies.

Familial narcolepsy in the Lipizzaner horse: a report of three fillies born to the same sire

The occurrence of sleep disorder in three half sibling Lipizzaner is described. Sleepiness, swaying, stumbling, carpal joints buckling and falling down onto the carpal joints had been present since early foal age in all of them. Clinical signs had gradually reduced since the age of 2 years in cases 1 and 3. Sleepiness was induced by going out from the stable in adulthood. A physostigmine test was performed in all three affected horses and produced positive results in cases 1 and 3. The result of the test in case 2 was unclear due to the almost continuous sleepiness of the foal. Hypocretin-1 concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid was established using a standardised radioimmunoassay in case 1 (317.85 pg/mL), case 2 (303.43 pg/mL) and five adult control horses (275.2 ± 47.9 [SD] pg/mL) and was considered as normal in all horses. The sire of the affected horses has had 19 other registered offspring who did not show clinical signs of sleep disorder and also dams of all three cases produced healthy foals. Based on the demographic and clinical data together with the responses to the physostigmine challenges, the diagnosis of familial equine narcolepsy was made.

Pedigree analysis in four Slovak endangered horse breeds

The aim of this study was to perform an analysis of genetic diversity in four endangered horse populations bred in Slovakia, describing parameters on the probability of identity by descent and gene origin. The analysed populations consisted of (reference populations in brackets) 656 (158) Hucul horses, 2052 (162) Lipizzan horses, 1951 (171) Shagya Arabian horses, and 220 (42) Slovak Sport Ponies. The equivalent complete generations ranged from 4.93 for the Slovak Sport Pony to 10.25 for the Lipizzan horses. The average value of inbreeding ranged from 2.67% for the Slovak Sport Pony to 6.26% for the Hucul. The mean average relationship coefficients varied from 3.08% for the Shagya Arabian to 9.34% for the Hucul. Individual increases in inbreeding ranged from 0.43% for the Lipizzan to 1.06% for the Hucul, while the realized effective sizes were from 117.14 to 47.67 animals. The evaluated populations were derived from 80 to 499 founders. The effective number of founders ranged from 26 to 160, while the effective number of ancestors from 7 to 32. &amp;nbsp;

Table of Contents, Masthead, and Editor's Note

photo: www.flickr.com/people/1banaan contents 09 12 30 14 20 24 International Crime & Mystery Credibility and Popularity in the Historical Mystery J. Madison Davis Poetry Two Poems Angélica Freitas Three Poems Jacek Gutorow Essays Dark Side of the Manga: Tezuka Osamu’s Dark Period Rob Vollmar Not Their Masters’ Voice: Latin American Nonfiction Will H. Corral Filling the Unforgiving Minute: The Literature of Running Roger Robinson COVER FEATURE Literary Journalism with contributions from Norman Sims Ervin Hladnik Milharčič Maria Golia Mariya Tytarenko Anthony Shadid Novia Pagone Agnes Andeweg In Every Issue Editor’s Note Letters / Editor’s Pick Notebook World Literature in Review Outpost: Paris 32 03 04 05 64 80 On the Cover New York Times journalist Anthony Shadid talks with residents in Embaba, a poorer neighborhood in Cairo, during the revolution that toppled President Hosni Mubarak (February 9, 2011). Photo by Ed Ou / Edit by Getty Images. On This Page It’s a short drive from Dwingelderveld National Park to Emmen, The Netherlands, birthplace of Frank Westerman. The literary journalist discusses Michelangelo, Lipizzaner horses, and the origin of stories on page 7. MARCH/APRIL 2012 EDITORIAL BOARD Roger Allen Juan Gustavo Cobo Borda Manuel Durán Howard Goldblatt George Gömöri Talat S. Halman Alamgir Hashmi Vasa D. Mihailovich Tanure Ojaide Rimvydas Šilbajoris Ilán Stavans Theodore Ziolkowski CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Hester Baer José Juan Colín J. Madison Davis Pamela Genova Andrew Horton Emily Johnson Takeshi Kimoto Monica Seger Jonathan Stalling Rob Vollmar INTERNS Madeline Alford Emily Bibens Michael Bibens Robin Click Brynne Frauenhoffer Kaitlin Hawkins Rachel Henson Laura Hernandez Rebecca Horner Stormee Massey Jessica Mitzner Marina Ruiz Sam Tran Rebecca Wood BOARD OF VISITORS Molly Shi Boren S. Ross Clarke Cheryl Foote Groenendyke Sarah C. Hogan Judy Zarrow Kishner Mary D. Nichols Susan Neustadt Schwartz George A. Singer Jeanne Hoffman Smith Lela Sullivan James R. Tolbert III Lew O. Ward Martha Griffin White Penny Williams WLT WORLD LITERATURE TODAY World Literature Today is published bimonthly at the University of Oklahoma / 630 Parrington Oval, Suite 110 / Norman, Oklahoma 73019-4033. Periodicals postage paid at Hanover, Pennsylvania 17331. Copyright © 2012 by World Literature Today and the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma. ISSN 0196-3570 (1945-8134 online). Subscription and advertising rates are listed on our website (www.worldliteraturetoday.com) or can be obtained through the editorial office. Ph: 405.325.4531. Fax: 405.325.7495. This publication, printed by the Sheridan Press, is issued by the University of Oklahoma. 3,900 copies have been prepared and distributed at no cost to the taxpayers of the State of Oklahoma. March–April 2012 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & NEUSTADT PROFESSOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR & EDITOR IN CHIEF MANAGING EDITOR BOOK REVIEW EDITOR PROGRAMS & DEVELOPMENT ART DIRECTOR DIGITAL MEDIA EDITOR CIRCULATION & ACCOUNTS Volume 86, Number 2 Robert Con Davis-Undiano Daniel Simon Michelle Johnson Marla Johnson Terri D. Stubblefield Merleyn Ruth Bell Jennifer Rickard Kay Blunck • “Marathons of Memory, Marathons of Life,” Roger Robinson’s essay about the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon • Literary journalism by Spain’s Rosa Montero and Empar Moliner, translated by Novia Pagone • “Buenos Aires, the Suburbs, and the Pampas,” an essay on literary journalism after Borges, by Pablo Calvi • James Tar Tsaaior analyzes literary series in Nigeria’s national newspapers • “Shame,” a story by Juned Subhan • Julia Tindell’s interview with illustrator David Small, author of Stitches • The WLT Book Club reads Everything Beautiful Began After by Simon Van Booy Online @ worldliteraturetoday.com MARCH–APRIL 2012 | 3 EDITOR’S NOTE PHOTO: ALBA SIMON I f 2011 will ultimately be remembered as the Year of the Protester (Time, December 26, 2011), WLT would like to pause momentarily , before the events of 2012 outrace our news feeds, to recognize the vital role of journalists in bringing that roiling dissent to our attention. As Russian essayist Nadezhda Azhgikhina acknowledged in our November 2011 issue, journalists around the world push back against barriers of censorship in the pursuit of truth: they “understand their duty,” Azhgikhina writes, “to inform their readers and to serve justice,” often putting their lives in danger for the sake of freedom of expression. Part of that freedom also lies in the desire of journalists to...

Table of Contents, Masthead, and Editor's Note

photo: www.flickr.com/people/1banaan contents 09 12 30 14 20 24 International Crime & Mystery Credibility and Popularity in the Historical Mystery J. Madison Davis Poetry Two Poems Angélica Freitas Three Poems Jacek Gutorow Essays Dark Side of the Manga: Tezuka Osamu’s Dark Period Rob Vollmar Not Their Masters’ Voice: Latin American Nonfiction Will H. Corral Filling the Unforgiving Minute: The Literature of Running Roger Robinson COVER FEATURE Literary Journalism with contributions from Norman Sims Ervin Hladnik Milharčič Maria Golia Mariya Tytarenko Anthony Shadid Novia Pagone Agnes Andeweg In Every Issue Editor’s Note Letters / Editor’s Pick Notebook World Literature in Review Outpost: Paris 32 03 04 05 64 80 On the Cover New York Times journalist Anthony Shadid talks with residents in Embaba, a poorer neighborhood in Cairo, during the revolution that toppled President Hosni Mubarak (February 9, 2011). Photo by Ed Ou / Edit by Getty Images. On This Page It’s a short drive from Dwingelderveld National Park to Emmen, The Netherlands, birthplace of Frank Westerman. The literary journalist discusses Michelangelo, Lipizzaner horses, and the origin of stories on page 7. MARCH/APRIL 2012 EDITORIAL BOARD Roger Allen Juan Gustavo Cobo Borda Manuel Durán Howard Goldblatt George Gömöri Talat S. Halman Alamgir Hashmi Vasa D. Mihailovich Tanure Ojaide Rimvydas Šilbajoris Ilán Stavans Theodore Ziolkowski CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Hester Baer José Juan Colín J. Madison Davis Pamela Genova Andrew Horton Emily Johnson Takeshi Kimoto Monica Seger Jonathan Stalling Rob Vollmar INTERNS Madeline Alford Emily Bibens Michael Bibens Robin Click Brynne Frauenhoffer Kaitlin Hawkins Rachel Henson Laura Hernandez Rebecca Horner Stormee Massey Jessica Mitzner Marina Ruiz Sam Tran Rebecca Wood BOARD OF VISITORS Molly Shi Boren S. Ross Clarke Cheryl Foote Groenendyke Sarah C. Hogan Judy Zarrow Kishner Mary D. Nichols Susan Neustadt Schwartz George A. Singer Jeanne Hoffman Smith Lela Sullivan James R. Tolbert III Lew O. Ward Martha Griffin White Penny Williams WLT WORLD LITERATURE TODAY World Literature Today is published bimonthly at the University of Oklahoma / 630 Parrington Oval, Suite 110 / Norman, Oklahoma 73019-4033. Periodicals postage paid at Hanover, Pennsylvania 17331. Copyright © 2012 by World Literature Today and the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma. ISSN 0196-3570 (1945-8134 online). Subscription and advertising rates are listed on our website (www.worldliteraturetoday.com) or can be obtained through the editorial office. Ph: 405.325.4531. Fax: 405.325.7495. This publication, printed by the Sheridan Press, is issued by the University of Oklahoma. 3,900 copies have been prepared and distributed at no cost to the taxpayers of the State of Oklahoma. March–April 2012 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & NEUSTADT PROFESSOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR & EDITOR IN CHIEF MANAGING EDITOR BOOK REVIEW EDITOR PROGRAMS & DEVELOPMENT ART DIRECTOR DIGITAL MEDIA EDITOR CIRCULATION & ACCOUNTS Volume 86, Number 2 Robert Con Davis-Undiano Daniel Simon Michelle Johnson Marla Johnson Terri D. Stubblefield Merleyn Ruth Bell Jennifer Rickard Kay Blunck • “Marathons of Memory, Marathons of Life,” Roger Robinson’s essay about the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon • Literary journalism by Spain’s Rosa Montero and Empar Moliner, translated by Novia Pagone • “Buenos Aires, the Suburbs, and the Pampas,” an essay on literary journalism after Borges, by Pablo Calvi • James Tar Tsaaior analyzes literary series in Nigeria’s national newspapers • “Shame,” a story by Juned Subhan • Julia Tindell’s interview with illustrator David Small, author of Stitches • The WLT Book Club reads Everything Beautiful Began After by Simon Van Booy Online @ worldliteraturetoday.com MARCH–APRIL 2012 | 3 EDITOR’S NOTE PHOTO: ALBA SIMON I f 2011 will ultimately be remembered as the Year of the Protester (Time, December 26, 2011), WLT would like to pause momentarily , before the events of 2012 outrace our news feeds, to recognize the vital role of journalists in bringing that roiling dissent to our attention. As Russian essayist Nadezhda Azhgikhina acknowledged in our November 2011 issue, journalists around the world push back against barriers of censorship in the pursuit of truth: they “understand their duty,” Azhgikhina writes, “to inform their readers and to serve justice,” often putting their lives in danger for the sake of freedom of expression. Part of that freedom also lies in the desire of journalists to...