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Over 1000 breeds of cattle are recognized worldwide, some of which adapted to the local climate, others which were bred by humans for specialized uses.[1]
Cattle breeds fall into two main types, which are regarded as either two closely related species, or two subspecies of one species. Bos indicus (or Bos taurus indicus) cattle, commonly called zebu, are adapted to hot climates and originated in the tropical parts of the world such as India, Sub-saharan Africa, China, and Southeast Asia. Bos taurus (or Bos taurus taurus), typically referred to as "taurine" cattle, are generally adapted to cooler climates and include almost all cattle breeds originating from Europe and northern Asia.
In some parts of the world further species of cattle are found (both as wild and domesticated animals), and some of these are related so closely to taurine and indicus cattle that interspecies hybrids have been bred. Examples include the Dwarf Lulu cattle of the mountains of Nepal with yak blood,[2] the Beefalo of North America with bison genes, the Selembu breed of India and Bhutan with gayal genes. The Madura breed of Indonesia may have banteng in its parentage.[3] In addition to these fertile hybrids, there are sterile hybrids such as the male Dzo of Nepal, a cattle-yak hybrid which is bred for agricultural work - like the mule and the hinny, they have to be continually bred from both of the parent species.
- ^ Marleen Felius (September 2007). Cattle Breeds: An Encyclopedia. Trafalgar Square Publishing. ISBN 978-1-57076-381-6.
- ^ Takeda, K.; Satoh M.; Neopane S.P.; Kuwar B.S.; Joshi H.D.; Shrestha N.P.; Fujise H.; Tasai M.; Tagami T.; Hanada H. (April 2004). "Mitochondrial DNA analysis of Nepalese domestic dwarf cattle Lulu". Animal Science Journal. 75 (2): 103–110(8). doi:10.1111/j.1740-0929.2004.00163.x.
- ^ Lenstra, J.A.; D.G. Bradley (June 1999). Systematics and Phylogeny of Cattle. ISBN 978-0-85199-258-7.