Genomic Insights into Post-Domestication Expansion and Selection of Body Size in Ponies.

ABSTRACT: Horse domestication revolutionizes human civilization by transforming transportation, agriculture, and warfare patterns. Despite extensive studies on modern domestic horse origins, the intricate demographic history and genetic signatures underlying pony size remain unexplored. Here, a high-quality genome assembly of the Chinese Debao pony is presented, and 452 qualified individuals from 64 horse breeds worldwide are extensively analyzed. The authors' results reveal the conservation of ancient components in East Asian horses and close relationships between Asian horses and Western pony lineages. Genetic analyses suggest an Asian paternal origin for European pony breeds. These pony-sized horses share close genetic affinities, potentially attributed to their early expansion and adaptation to

SUBMITTER: Li X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12021115 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature