Genetic relationship between Mongolian and Norwegian horses?

Anim Genet. 2003 Feb;34(1):55-8. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2052.2003.00922.x.

Abstract

Human populations of Central Asian origin have contributed genetic material to northern European populations. It is likely that migrating humans carried livestock to ensure food and ease transportation. Thus, eastern genes could also have dispersed to northern European livestock populations. Using microsatellite data, we here report that the essentially different genetic distances DA and (deltamu)2 and their corresponding phylogenetic trees show close associations between the Mongolian native horse and northern European horse breeds. The genetic distances between the northern European breeds and Standardbred/Thoroughbred, representing a southern-derived source of horses, were notably larger. We suggest that contribution of genetic material from eastern horses to northern European populations is likely to have occurred.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Genetic Variation*
  • Horses / genetics*
  • Microsatellite Repeats / genetics
  • Models, Genetic
  • Mongolia
  • Norway
  • Phylogeny*
  • Population Dynamics