Analysis of the earliest complete mtDNA genome of a Caribbean colonial horse (Equus caballus) from 16th-century Haiti.

Summary

# Editorial Summary Archaeological evidence of early horse populations in the Caribbean remains exceptionally scarce despite historical records documenting Spanish introductions from the Iberian Peninsula in the late 15th century, creating a significant gap in our understanding of equine dispersal across the Americas. Delsol and colleagues sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome from a horse skeleton excavated at Puerto Real in Haiti, dating to the late 16th century, providing the first genetic data from this formative period of New World horse populations. Phylogenetic analysis conclusively demonstrated Iberian ancestry for this colonial individual, supporting historical documentation whilst establishing the genetic baseline for understanding the origins of early American horse populations that would later diversify into recognised breeds. This genetic foundation is particularly valuable for researchers and breed historians seeking to trace the ancestry of contemporary American horse types, as it anchors the founding lineages with direct molecular evidence rather than inference alone. For equine professionals involved in heritage breed conservation or historical reconstruction programmes, this work provides crucial genetic context for understanding how early colonial horses adapted to Caribbean environments and contributed to the genetic diversity observed in modern populations.

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Key Findings

• •Earliest complete mitochondrial genome of a post-Columbian domestic horse from the Western Hemisphere (16th-century Haiti) successfully sequenced
• •Mitochondrial DNA analysis supports Iberian Peninsula origin for early horses introduced to the Caribbean
• •Phylogenetic analysis clarifies relationship between this colonial-era horse and modern American horse breeds

Conditions Studied