GENOMIC DIVERSITY AND ORIGINS OF THE FERAL HORSES (Equus ferus caballus) OF SABLE ISLAND AND THE ALBERTA FOOTHILLS
Date
2018-10-25
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
0000-0003-4982-7116
Type
Thesis
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
The genetic structure of domestic horse populations has been studied extensively using microsatellite markers; however, this study is the first to use genomics to assess the genetic diversity levels, uniqueness, and ancestral relationships of the Sable Island and Alberta feral horse populations. Here, I use a genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism SNP-based approach to describe the structure and relatedness of the Sable Island, Nova Scotia and Alberta Foothills feral horse populations of Canada. Investigating the genomic diversity of these populations can provide researchers with important information for the conservation of genetics and improve the understanding of microevolution in natural populations. I characterized broad patterns of genetic diversity in the feral horse populations of Sable Island and the Alberta foothills using the Illumina GGP 65K SNP array, and assessed their relationships with domestic breeds to gain insight into each population’s respective origin. My analyses indicate that Sable Island is the most diverged and inbred of the two populations and relative to other horse breeds and populations, being greatly distinguished from even its closest relatives, the Mongolian horse and breeds of Nordic origin. In contrast, the Alberta Foothills population appears to be the product of extensive admixture with a strong relationship to draft breeds. Higher than anticipated inbreeding levels in Alberta further suggests the presence of breeding groups across the landscape. My study presents important information regarding the origin and genetic diversity feral horse populations in Canada, and will assist with future conservation and management of these populations.
Description
Keywords
Population genetics, feral horses
Citation
Degree
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Department
Biology
Program
Biology