engleski

The genetic structure of the autochthonous horse breeds in Croatia

Autochthonous horse breeds make the most numerous group of horses in Croatia. They were bred on the then horse population “ busak” which, depending on the climate, was differently conformational and genetically profiled. With the aim of improving the conformation of the then “ busak” , during the 20th century, quality stallions of heavy European horse breeds were imported and used for “ improving” the existing population. Posavina horse and Croatian coldblood remained in the marginal pasture areas in a small number which demands a constant monitoring. Murinsulaner horse population is reduced to thirty heads. Genetic variation of the autochthonous horse breeds in Croatia was analysed using eight microsatellite loci (43 Posavina horses, 40 Croatian coldblood and 18 Murinsulaner horses). The frequency of observed alleles in Croatian coldblood and Murinsulaner horses were more similar compared to the Posavina horses. The number of alleles were higher in Posavina horse. The Croatian coldblood and Murinsulaner horses are closely related, whereas their estimated genetic distances to the Posavina horses are significantly higher. Genetic distance between breeds is important for breeding strategies and preservation of originality of autochthonous horse breeds.

horse breeds; genetic structure; microsatellite; Croatia

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