論文ID: 11-0025
In order to contribute to conservation of the endangered Kiso horse, we clarified their genetic information using 31 microstellite DNAs, and genotyped 125 horses, 83% of the existing breed. First, we clarified the current status of the horse. The horses were confirmed to have experienced rapid loss of population causing a bottleneck, and their effective population size was much smaller than their census size. Moreover, the number of alleles (6.3), observed heterozygosity (0.674), and expected heterozygosity (0.662) were in the same range as other endangered horses all over the world. Therefore, although their inbreeding level was not so severe (Fis: －0.017), the Kiso horse is surely one of the endangered. Second, we obtained genetic information of individuals. This information allowed us to understand their genetic distance, and might help to develop a reproductive strategy concerning the genetic distance between the mating pairs. Moreover, the population of Kiso horse suggested having 4 subpopulations, and this result was in good agreement with their historical background. Third, we confirmed that the parentage test for identification using these microsatellite DNAs was highly reliable (probability of exclusion: 0.999999993). This identification increases the reliability of stud certification, and is also helpful for effective management. Understanding the genetic diversity within the population and the relationships among individuals are important to ensure the effective management for maintaining genetic variation, and this study may help the conservation of the endangered Kiso horse.
