Data from: Genetic structure and differentiation of the Italian Catria horse

Catria is one of the 22 native Italian horse breeds that now survive from
a larger number. 30 individuals, representative of the Catria horse, were
analyzed for 11 microsatellites and compared to data of 10 breeds reared
in Italy. Three different approaches, genetic distances, correspondence
analysis and clustering methods, were considered to study genetic
relationships among Catria and the other horse populations. Genetic
differentiation among breeds was highly significant (P < 0.01) for
all loci. Average FST values indicate that around 10% of the total genetic
variation was explained by the between-breed differences and the three
approaches utilized gave similar results. Italian native breeds are
clearly separated from the other examined breeds. However, by the
correspondence analysis, the Catria appears closer to Maremmano and
Murgese. The results of Bayesian approaches give further information
showing for Catria a common origin with Maremmano and Italian Heavy
Draught. Genetic relationships among Catria and the other breeds are
consistent with the breed’s documented history. The data and information
found here can be utilized in the organization of conservation programmes
planned to reduce inbreeding and to minimize loss of genetic variability.