1. Karyotyping, red blood cell and haemoglobin typing of the mithun (Bos frontalis), its wild ancestor and its hybrids.
- Author
-
Winter H, Mayr B, Schleger W, Dworak E, Krutzler J, and Burger B
- Subjects
- Animals, Bhutan, Blood Grouping and Crossmatching veterinary, Cattle blood, Chromosome Banding, Crosses, Genetic, Female, Hemoglobins genetics, Male, Blood Group Antigens genetics, Cattle genetics, Chromosomes analysis, Hemoglobins analysis, Hybridization, Genetic
- Abstract
In Bhutan in remote parts of the Himalayas the mithun (Bos frontalis) has been used probably for centuries in an ingenious system for crossbreeding with domestic cattle which results in highly profitable hybrid females. The hybrid males are infertile and so far no stable crossbreed has been developed. Genetic analyses reported in this paper support the view that the gaur is the wild ancestor of the mithun. Both have only 58 chromosomes in contrast to 60 in cattle and also different, hitherto undescribed haemoglobins and blood groups which would justify the revision of the present classification of the subfamily Bovinae. If, with the aid of modern genetic methods, a stable crossbreed could be developed, dairy and beef production in Bhutan and many climatically similar areas could benefit greatly. Because of its remarkable size the mithun may, in the hands of enterprising breeders, also make a useful genetic contribution to beef production elsewhere.
- Published
- 1984