Improved RAPD-CR for discriminating breeds of water buffalo

摘要

The classification of the water buffalo is uncertain. Some authorities record the species Bubalus bubalis with three subspecies, the river buffalo (B. bubalis bubalis) of South Asia, the carabao or swamp buffalo (B. bubalis carabanesis) of the Philippines and Southeast Asia, and the ami, or wild water buffalo (B. bubalis arnee). Others regard these as closely related, but separate, species (Roth and Myers 2004). The adult size range for domestic breeds of water buffalo is 400-900 kg (880-2,000 1b). Wild animals are nearly 3 m (9.8 ft) long and 2 m (6.6 ft) tall, weighing up to 1,200 kg (2,600 lb); females are about two-thirds this size (Encyclopaedia Britannica Online 2009). River buffaloes are usually black, have curled horns, and are native to the western half of Asia, whereas swamp buffalo can be black, white, or both colors, with long, gently curved, swept-back horns; they are native to the eastern half of Asia from India to Taiwan (United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization 2000). The swamp buffalo has 48 chromosomes; the river buffalo has 50 chromosomes. These two types do not readily interbreed, but fertile offspring can occur.