Researchers at the Peruvian National University Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza (UNTRM) have successfully sequenced and published the first complete mitochondrial genome of the Peruvian Paso horse, a breed renowned for its elegance, stamina, and unique gait. Using advanced PacBio HiFi sequencing technology, the team assembled a 16,617 base pair mitochondrial genome, identifying 35 heteroplasmic variants and confirming the breed’s strong genetic stability. Their comparative phylogenetic analysis of 681 global horse mitochondrial genomes revealed that the Peruvian Paso horse shares maternal lineages with European breeds, particularly from southern and central Europe, providing new insights into its origin, evolution, and adaptation in Peru.
This groundbreaking research, published in the journal Scientific Reports, marks a significant scientific advancement for Peru’s livestock and cultural heritage. It offers a vital tool for the conservation, genetic improvement, and protection of the Peruvian Paso horse against genetic variability loss. Beyond academic impact, the findings will support breeding programs, lineage certification, and sustainable management of this national zoogenetic resource. The study also highlights UNTRM’s technological capabilities, being the first in Peru to apply PacBio HiFi long-read sequencing to a native animal breed, leveraging high-performance computing resources for genomic and bioinformatics analyses.
