HETEROLOGOUS MARKERS IN FAMILY EQUIDAE

Vanshika Goel

Sainyam Goel

Vol. 2, Jan-Dec 2016

Page Number: 134 - 161

Abstract:

Equidae (The taxonomic family of horses and horse-related animals) include the extant horses, donkeys, zebras and other extinct species recognized only from fossils. Equines are odd toed ungulates with slender legs, long heads, relatively long necks, manes (erect in most subspecies) and long tails. All species are herbivorous, and mostly grazers with simpler digestive systems than ruminants but able to subsist on lower quality vegetation. On the basis of anatomy and DNA studies, there are three main divisions of Equidae (the horse family). 1. The caballines including a wild ancestor Equus pizewalskii and domestic horses. 2. The asses including African wild asses, hemionines and domestic donkeys. 3. Zebras. The only existing genus in the Equidae family is Equus. There are seven surviving species in the genus Equus (Equus africanus, Equus ferus, Equus grevyi, Equus hemionus, Equus kiang, Equus quagga, Equus zebra). The wild equids are found mainly in East Africa and near East to Mongolia. The domestic equids occur worldwide. The diploid chromosome number of Equus species vary from 32 of mountain zebra to 66 of przewalskii horse. (Equus africanus asinus) is a domesticated smallest equid of the Equidae family. African wild ass Equus africanus inhabiting arid and semi-arid bush/shrub land, grassland and desert is the ancestor of modern donkeys. Wild donkeys also known as burros reside in the desert plains. The hybrid animal produced by crossing of male donkey and female horse is known as mule and that of female donkey and male horse is known as hinny. The indigenous breeds of horses are Marwari, Kathiawari, Manipuri, Spiti, Bhutia and Zanskari. The Marwari is a rare horse breed belonging to Marwar (Jodhpur) of India. Marwari horse is known for its hardiness and peculiar lyre shaped ears that meet above the head to form an arch. Asses are believed exclusively of African origin. Nubian (North East African), Sudan (North East African) and Somali land (Somalian) were three wild races of ass. The present domesticated asses were predominantly descended from Nubian race. According to FAO reports, there are three different types of Indian asses: Indian, Indian wild and Kiang. Indian wild asses can be seen in Rann of Kutch whereas Kiang in Sikkim and Laddakh. Spiti ass belongs to Spiti and Lahaul of Himachal Pradesh and is used for transportation at high altitude where environmental oxygen level is low. This breed can tolerate the shortage of feed and harsh winter conditions

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