title: Genetic analysis of the  Venezuelan Criollo horse.
abstract: Various  horse populations in the Americas have an origin in Spain; they are remnants of  the first livestock introduced to the continent early in the colonial period  (16th and 17th centuries). We evaluated genetic variability within the  Venezuelan Criollo horse and its relationship with other horse breeds. We  observed high levels of genetic diversity within the Criollo breed. Significant  population differentiation was observed between all South American breeds. The  Venezuelan Criollo horse showed high levels of genetic diversity, and from a  conservation standpoint, there is no immediate danger of losing variation  unless there is a large drop in population size.
authors: Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX, USA. GCothran@cvm.tamu.edu
authors: E G
authors: EG
authors: Cothran
authors: J L
authors: JL
authors: Canelon
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Luis
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Conant
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Juras
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006736:Horses / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D010802:Phylogeny; D014687:Venezuela