Analysis of the MtDNA Haplogroup Variability in Horses of Native Russian Breeds

The results from sequence analysis of the mtDNA hypervariable D-loop region in 205 horses of ten native breeds, including Buryatskaya, Vyatkskaya, Zabaikalskaya, Mezenskaya, Pechorskaya, Priobskaya, Tavdinskaya, Tuvinskaya, Khakasskaya, and Yakutskaya populations are presented. In horses of the studied populations, a wide range of mtDNA haplotypes and haplogroups (Hd = 95.61) was identified, including original mitotypes and new mitogroups not previously described in other horse breeds. In addition to 17 standard mtDNA groups (A–R), additional phylogenetic clusters were identified in horses of Buryatskaya (T, Y, Z), Vyatkskaya (U and Y), Mezenskaya (U), Priobskaya (U, W), and Khakasskaya (Y) breeds. The results demonstrate a certain commonality and originality in the matrilineal structure of native horse breeds of Northeastern Eurasia.