Human Migration and the Impact on Horse Genes in Silk Road

Gene Flow in Horses Across the Silk Road The ancient Silk Road was an exchange network that facilitated the genetic outcome of animals connected to the human migrations within the Silk Road. One common animal that was traded along the Silk Road, which stretched throughout Eurasia, was the horse. This study will determine the extent to which gene flows and genetic structure of horses in eastern Eurasia were impacted by the Silk Road by analyzing 1000 horses from 4 dozen villages throughout Eurasia.

The intent is to procure a Silk Road signature that is identifiable among the various village horses and to isolate a genetic structure narrative within the horses. The measurement for the molecular variation is conducted using microsatellite analysis. A number of factors were considered in the identification of the genetic narrative, beginning with the isolation of various villages from the human migratory systems overtime.

Second, the historical record of gene flows throughout the Silk Road areas was considered in conjunction with the findings to serve as a guide of the traditional arc. The basic narrative that emerges is one in which it can be seen how the Silk Road travels helped to foster a substantial gene flow of horses over time that resulted in a diffuse pattern of genetic integration.

The lack of differentiation among genes within the horse samples indicates that the gene flow was considerable throughout this region, especially when analyzed within the understanding of the migrations and diverse sets of peoples and travelers crossing back and forth at this time, from 100 BC to 1500 AD. The conclusions indicate that the gene flow of horses within villages along the Silk Road to this day share a similar heritage that unites them and identifies them as descendents of the Silk Road travelers of centuries past.

This study is timely because with the talk of China re-establishing a new Silk Road in the 21st century, it can be helpful in appreciating and preparing for a new era of human migrations and the genetic impact of these interactions in the animal kingdom. References Aketarawong, N., Isasawin, S., Thanaphum, S. (2014). Evidence of weak genetic structure and recent gene flow between Bactrocera dorsalis s.s. and B. papaya, across Southern Thailand and West Malaysia, supporting a single target pest for SIT applications. BMC Genet, 14(15): 70.

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