Island Population of Feral Horses: Origin and Genetic Diversity

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Abstract

For the first time, genetic analysis has confirmed the origin of a feral horse population (Equus caballus) inhabiting the Rostovsky State Natural Biosphere Reserve (Rostov Region, Russia) as descending from the Don breed, with a potential genetic contribution from the Budyonny breed. A quantitative assessment of the population’s genetic parameters was conducted, followed by a comparative analysis with data from other horse breeds bred in Russia. The island population exhibits reduced allelic diversity, including a low number of effective alleles (Ne = 2.97; Na = 4.59), decreased observed heterozygosity (Ho = 0.59), and pronounced genetic homogeneity, indicative of high levels of isolation and inbreeding. Key factors limiting the population’s genetic diversity include: a limited founder pool; geographic isolation restricting gene flow; low effective population size; repeated demographic bottlenecks throughout its historical dynamics. The findings underscore the impact of prolonged isolation and stochastic processes (genetic drift, founder effect) on shaping the unique genetic structure of island populations.

About the authors

V. N. Voronkova

Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences

Author for correspondence.
Email: valery.voronkova@gmail.com
Moscow, 119991 Russia

E. A. Soloshenkova

Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences

Email: valery.voronkova@gmail.com
Moscow, 119991 Russia

Y. A. Stolpovsky

Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences

Email: valery.voronkova@gmail.com
Moscow, 119991 Russia

N. N. Spasskaya

Zoological Museum of the Lomonosov Moscow State University

Email: equusnns@mail.ru
Moscow, 125009 Russia

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