Genetic diversity and population structure of three traditional horse breeds of Bhutan based on 29 DNA microsatellite markers.
Authors: Dorji Jigme, Tamang Sonam, Tshewang Tshewang, Dorji Tshering, Dorji Tashi Yangzome
Journal: PloS one
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Genetic Diversity of Bhutanese Horse Breeds Three traditional Bhutanese horse breeds—Boeta, Sharta and Yuta—were genotyped across 29 microsatellite DNA loci in a cohort of 74 animals to characterise their genetic structure and diversity. Across all breeds, the researchers identified 282 alleles with notably high allelic diversity (4.65–5.30 effective alleles) and gene diversity (0.77–0.79), whilst inbreeding coefficients remained low (0.001–0.023), indicating no significant population bottleneck despite their traditional status. The most striking finding was that 97.5% of genetic variation occurred within individual breeds rather than between them, with only 0.6% differentiation among breeds—a pattern reflecting substantial historical and contemporary gene flow across the three populations. For equine professionals involved in breeding programmes or genetic management of traditional or heritage breeds, these results underscore that Bhutanese horses maintain considerable genetic richness and that breed boundaries are more fluid than formal classifications might suggest, potentially offering both conservation advantages and management considerations depending on breeding objectives.
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Practical Takeaways
- •These Bhutanese traditional horse breeds retain substantial genetic diversity and can be sustainably bred without immediate inbreeding concerns
- •High genetic exchange between named breeds suggests they should be managed as a shared gene pool rather than isolated populations to maintain long-term diversity
- •Breeding decisions can prioritize functional traits and health without fear of genetic bottlenecks, but genetic monitoring should continue to track diversity over time
Key Findings
- •High allelic diversity detected across three Bhutanese horse breeds (NE range 4.65–5.30) with 282 total alleles across 29 microsatellite loci
- •Low inbreeding coefficients (FIS < 0.03) and no evidence of population bottlenecks in any breed
- •Only 0.6% of genetic variation exists among breeds, indicating high genetic exchange and minimal differentiation despite traditional breed designations
- •All three breeds maintained Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, suggesting stable genetic populations without significant selection pressure