Discrepancies between Genetic and Visual Coat Color Assignment in Sarcidano Horse.
Authors: Mura Maria Consuelo, Carcangiu Vincenzo, Cosso Giovanni, Columbano Nicolò, Sanna Passino Eraldo, Luridiana Sebastiano
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
Researchers genotyped 90 Sarcidano horses for the MC1R and ASIP genes—key loci controlling coat colour—and compared genetic results against phenotypic records to assess accuracy of visual classification in this Italian breed. Genetic analysis revealed Chestnuts dominated (n=58), with substantial Black representation (n=28) and minimal Bays (n=4), yet visual assessment produced markedly different proportions: 38 Chestnuts, 40 Bays, only 2 Blacks, and 10 Grays of indeterminate base colour. The critical finding was systematic misidentification of genetically Black horses as Bay phenotypes, with possible contributions from age-related colour fading, seasonal coat changes, body condition, and husbandry factors obscuring accurate visual determination. For breeding programmes and pedigree records, this work underscores why genetic testing should complement or supersede visual coat colour assessment—phenotypic evaluation alone introduces significant classification error that compromises both stud book accuracy and prediction of offspring coloration. Professionals managing Sarcidano bloodlines should consider genotyping foundation animals, particularly those recorded as Bay, to confirm true genetic colour and prevent downstream breeding mistakes.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Phenotypic coat color assessment alone is unreliable for breed registration and genetic prediction; genetic testing should complement visual identification
- •Environmental and management factors (season, diet, housing) significantly influence coat color appearance and can lead to misregistration in breed records
- •Accurate coat color identification requires either genetic confirmation or longitudinal phenotypic assessment accounting for temporal and environmental influences
Key Findings
- •Genetic analysis of 90 Sarcidano horses revealed 58 chestnuts, 28 blacks, and 4 bays, while phenotypic assessment identified 38 chestnuts, 40 bays, 2 blacks, and 10 grays
- •Many horses visually identified as bays were genetically identified as blacks, suggesting phenotypic misclassification
- •Discrepancies between genetic and visual coat color assignment may result from age, seasonal variation, living conditions, and dietary factors affecting phenotypic expression