Genetic diversity and paternal origin of domestic donkeys

Abstract

Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate genetic diversity, origins and domestication of donkey using autosomal microsatellites and the mitochondrial genome, whereas the male-specific region of the Y chromosome of modern donkeys is largely uncharacterized. In the current study, 14 published equine Y chromosome-specific microsatellites (Y-STR) were investigated in 395 male donkey samples from China, Egypt, Spain and Peru using fluorescent labeled microsatellite markers. The results showed that seven Y-STRs-EcaYP9, EcaYM2, EcaYE2, EcaYE3, EcaYNO1, EcaYNO2 and EcaYNO4-were male specific and polymorphic, showing two to eight alleles in the donkeys studied. A total of 21 haplotypes corresponding to three haplogroups were identified, indicating three independent patrilines in domestic donkey. These markers are useful for the study the Y-chromosome diversity and population genetics of donkeys in Africa, Europe, South America and China.

Genetic diversity and relationships of Chinese donkeys using microsatellite markers

“…3): cluster A included Kulun, Guanzhong, Liangzhou, and Xiji donkey breeds and cluster B gathered Dezhou, Gunsha, Biyang, and Taihang breeds, while other donkey breeds (Xinjiang, Qinghai, Qingyang, and Jiami) appeared to be the contact zone between both clusters, as individuals had mixed lineages. The results support the previous genetic research about the origin of the Chinese donkey, in which Chinese donkeys have two distinct mitochondrial maternal lineages, known as Nubian wild ass (Equus africanus africanus) and the Somali wild ass (Equus africanus somaliensis) (Lei et al, 2007;Han et al, 2014). When K = 3 ( Fig.…”

“…Additionally, two main groups suggest that the colonization process and expansion of donkeys across China followed at least two main pathways. According to textual research and ancient DNA studies (Han et al, 2014), the earliest domestic Chinese donkeys were from the small donkeys of ancient Xinjiang and entered the mainland 2000 years ago (west Han Dynasty). They arrived in the Hexi Corridor of the northern Qilian Mountains along the Silk Road and then developed into Liangzhou donkeys.…”

“…During the Tang Dynasty, when the Silk Road reached its golden age, the number of Chinese domestic donkeys had increased primarily to meet the demand for the expansion of trade (Han et al, 2014). After arriving in the Guanzhong Plain area (the Chang'an, now Xi'an city was the center of politics, economy and culture in ancient China), donkeys of the western regions were rapidly imported to Qinghai, Shaanxi, Henan, Hebei, and Shandong provinces along the Yellow River Basin, and developed into the famous Qinghai, Jiami, Gunsha, Biyang, Qingyang, and Dezhou donkey breeds (Yang and Hong, 1989).…”

“…Several studies have been conducted to investigate genetic diversity and origins of Chinese donkeys. Uniparental markers are routinely used to trace the origins of Chinese donkey breeds by defining paternal and maternal lineages on the basis of variation sites, which has revealed an African origin of Chinese donkeys (Chen et al, 2006;Han et al, 2014Han et al, , 2017.…”

A new molecular screening tool for the detection of chromosomal abnormalities in donkeys

“…Despite this connection and the fact that chromosomal abnormalities in the horse are widely studied, donkey cytogenetics is still scarcely developed (Dorado et al, ). However, it was demonstrated that molecular analysis employed in horses could be successfully adapted to this species (Han et al, ).…”