title: Genetic diversity of a large set of horse breeds raised in France assessed by microsatellite polymorphism.
abstract: The genetic diversity and structure of horses raised in France were investigated using 11 microsatellite markers and 1679 animals belonging to 34 breeds. Between-breed differences explained about ten per cent of the total genetic diversity (Fst = 0.099). Values of expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.43 to 0.79 depending on the breed. According to genetic relationships, multivariate and structure analyses, breeds could be classified into four genetic differentiated groups: warm-blooded, draught, Nordic and pony breeds. Using complementary maximisation of diversity and aggregate diversity approaches, we conclude that particular efforts should be made to conserve five local breeds, namely the Boulonnais, Landais, Merens, Poitevin and Pottok breeds.
authors.affiliation: AgroParisTech, UMR1236 Génétique et Diversité Animales, 16 rue Claude Bernard, Paris, France. gregoire.leroy@agroparistech.fr
authors.forename: Grégoire
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Leroy
authors.forename: Lucille
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Callède
authors.forename: Etienne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Verrier
authors.forename: Jean-Claude
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Mériaux
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ricard
authors.forename: Coralie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Danchin-Burge
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Rognon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006736:Horses / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D010802:Phylogeny; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic