The Icelandic horse played an important role in new research into the development of modern horses. A team of scientists, including geneticists from Sweden and the US, have been studying how modern horses lost the camouflage which pre-historic horses had. The findings are published in the journal Nature Genetics.
Icelandic horses unique due to their colour variation
In addition to several species closely related to modern horses, as well as 43,000 year old remains of prehistoric horses, nearly 1,800 horses were studied, more than half of which were Icelandic.
An Icelandic scientist, Freyja Imsland, who participated in the research, tells the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service that the scientists believe the colouring of early horses was dominated by the dun-gene. A classic dun is a grey-gold or tan, with a body colour which is between sand yellow and reddish brown, a darker stripe down the back, a darker mane and tail and a darker face and legs. Other colour variations are believed to have emerged only after humans tamed horses.
Freyja argues their research shows early colouring of horses was probably more diverse than previously believed. “And the Icelandic horse helped a lot, due to the great variation which we find in the colouring of the Icelandic horse.”
Studying horses can help us understand cancer in humans
The research does not only help us understand the evolution of horses, Freyja points out, but also humans: “The more we understand the biology of how cellular pigmentation works in mammals and other animals, the better we are equipped to understand and work on melanoma.”
The Icelandic horse played an important role in new research into the development of modern horses. A team of scientists, including geneticists from Sweden and the US, have been studying how modern horses lost the camouflage which pre-historic horses had. The findings are published in the journal Nature Genetics.
Icelandic horses unique due to their colour variation
In addition to several species closely related to modern horses, as well as 43,000 year old remains of prehistoric horses, nearly 1,800 horses were studied, more than half of which were Icelandic.
An Icelandic scientist, Freyja Imsland, who participated in the research, tells the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service that the scientists believe the colouring of early horses was dominated by the dun-gene. A classic dun is a grey-gold or tan, with a body colour which is between sand yellow and reddish brown, a darker stripe down the back, a darker mane and tail and a darker face and legs. Other colour variations are believed to have emerged only after humans tamed horses.
Freyja argues their research shows early colouring of horses was probably more diverse than previously believed. “And the Icelandic horse helped a lot, due to the great variation which we find in the colouring of the Icelandic horse.”
Studying horses can help us understand cancer in humans
The research does not only help us understand the evolution of horses, Freyja points out, but also humans: “The more we understand the biology of how cellular pigmentation works in mammals and other animals, the better we are equipped to understand and work on melanoma.”
