title: Comparative genetic diversity in a sample of pony breeds from the U.K. and North America: a case study in the conservation of global genetic resources.
abstract: Most species exist as subdivided ex situ daughter population(s) derived from a single original group of individuals. Such subdivision occurs for many reasons both natural and manmade. Traditional British and Irish pony breeds were introduced to North America (U.S.A. and Canada) within the last 150 years, and subsequently equivalent breed societies were established. We have analyzed selected U.K. and North American equivalent pony populations as a case study for understanding the relationship between putative source and derived subpopulations. Diversity was measured using mitochondrial DNA and a panel of microsatellite markers. Genetic signatures differed between the North American subpopulations according to historical management processes. Founder effect and stochastic drift was apparent, particularly pronounced in some breeds, with evidence of admixture of imported mares of different North American breeds. This demonstrates the importance of analysis of subpopulations to facilitate understanding the genetic effects of past management practices and to lead to informed future conservation strategies.
authors.affiliation: IBERS, Aberystwyth University Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA, U.K.
authors.forename: Clare L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Winton
authors.affiliation: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5A8, Canada.
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Plante
authors.affiliation: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 5A8, Canada.
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hind
authors.affiliation: IBERS, Aberystwyth University Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA, U.K.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McMahon
authors.affiliation: IBERS, Aberystwyth University Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA, U.K.
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hegarty
authors.affiliation: IBERS, Aberystwyth University Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA, U.K.
authors.forename: Neil R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: McEwan
authors.affiliation: IBERS, Aberystwyth University Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA, U.K.
authors.forename: Mina C G
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Davies-Morel
authors.affiliation: IBERS, Aberystwyth University Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA, U.K.
authors.forename: Charly M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.affiliation: CGIAR F-34394, Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
authors.forename: Wayne
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Powell
authors.affiliation: IBERS, Aberystwyth University Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DA, U.K.
authors.forename: Deborah M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Nash
keywords: Conservation; founder effect; horse; microsatellite; mtDNA; phylogenetics