Genetic diversity and population structure in seven Lipizzan populations based on microsatellite genotyping

Rogić, Biljana (author), Moravčíková, Nina (author), Margeta, Polona (author), Štrbac, Ljuba (author), Zorc, Minja (author), Kovács, Máté (author), Vostrý, Luboš (author), Kasarda, Radovan (author), Posta, Janos (author)

Lipizzan horses have been bred in Europe for more than 400 years and are an important part of cultural heritage, but their long history and relatively small populations raise concerns about loss of genetic diversity. This study examined the genetic variation and relationships among Lipizzan horse populations in seven countries, with special attention to the population in Bosnia and Herzegovina. DNA from 547 horses was analyzed to understand how diverse and connected these populations are. Overall, the breed shows a moderate level of genetic diversity, meaning there is still a reasonable amount of variation, although some populations are more at risk than others. The Bosnia and Herzegovina population had the lowest diversity, while the Slovak population showed the highest. The results also indicate that horses are still being exchanged between neighboring countries, which helps maintain genetic health. However, some differences between populations suggest that careful management is needed. These findings are important because they provide guidance for breeders and conservation programs to reduce inbreeding and preserve the genetic diversity of this historic breed, ensuring its long-term survival for future generations.

• Language: English
• Keywords: genetic variability, gene flow, population subdivision, migration
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: BF - Biotechnical Faculty
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Publication date: 15.05.2026
• Year: 2026
• Number of pages: 12 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 16, issue 10, [article no.] 1516
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-182549
• UDC: 636.1:575
• ISSN on article: 2076-2615
• DOI: 10.3390/ani16101516
• COBISS.SI-ID: 278334723
• Publication date in RUL: 15.05.2026

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Animals
• Shortened title: Animals
• Publisher: MDPI AG
• ISSN: 2076-2615
• COBISS.SI-ID: 519120409

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: konji, pasme, lipicanski konj, genetika, genetska pestrost, populacije, struktura populacij, mikrosatelitna genotipizacija