Ancient Mitochondrial Genomes Provide New Clues in the History of the Akhal-Teke Horse in China-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

Ancient Mitochondrial Genomes Provide New Clues in the History of the Akhal-Teke Horse in China

Published:2024-06-15 Issue:6 Volume:15 Page:790
ISSN:2073-4425
Container-title:Genes
language:en
Short-container-title:Genes

Author:

Zhu Siqi¹^ORCID,Zhang Naifan²³,Zhang Jie⁴,Shao Xinyue⁵,Guo Yaqi²,Cai Dawei²^ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Department of Archaeology, School of History, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China

2. Research Center for Chinese Frontier Archaeology of Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China

3. National Centre for Archaeology, Beijing 100013, China

4. Xinjiang Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, Ürümqi 830011, China

5. Department of Archaeology, University of Southampton, Avenue Campus, Southampton SO17 1BF, UK

Abstract

This study analyzed ancient DNA from the remains of horses unearthed from the Shihuyao tombs. These were found to date from the Han and Tang Dynasties in Xinjiang (approximately 2200 to 1100 years ago). Two high-quality mitochondrial genomes were acquired and analyzed using next-generation sequencing. The genomes were split into two maternal haplogroups, B and D, according to a study that included ancient and contemporary samples from Eurasia. A close genetic affinity was observed between the horse of the Tang Dynasty and Akhal-Teke horses according to the primitive horse haplotype G1. Historical evidence suggests that the ancient Silk Road had a vital role in their dissemination. Additionally, the matrilineal history of the Akhal-Teke horse was accessed and suggested that the early domestication of the breed was for military purposes.

Funder

Major Project of the National Social Science Foundation of China

National Key Research and Development Program of China

China Postdoctoral Science Foundation

Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities

Publisher

MDPI AG

Link

https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4425/15/6/790/pdf

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