Article

Independent maternal origin of Chinese swamp buffalo (<i>Bubalus bubalis</i>)

Chuzhao LeiShaanxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, ChinaWeiguo ZhangThese two authors contributed equally to this articleHuai ChenInstitute of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Xuzhou Normal University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, ChinaFan LüDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, ChinaRenxiang LiuCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550025, ChinaXianhui YangShaanxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, ChinaHairong ZhangNanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, ChinaZ. G. LiuSchool of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Forestry University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311300, ChinaLinhua YaoDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, ChinaZengkui LuDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, ChinaZhongliang ZhaoDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China

2007en

ABI

Abstract

To obtain more knowledge on the origin and genetic diversity of the swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in China, the complete mitochondrial D-loop sequences of 119 samples representing seven native types were compared. Two mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) lineages (lineages A and B) were determined for the Chinese swamp buffalo. Examination of the diversity patterns suggest that lineage A has undergone a population expansion event. Divergence of lineages A and B was estimated at 18,000 years ago. Combined analyses of mtDNA sequences from Chinese, Indian, Brazilian/Italian and Southeast Asian/Australian buffalo samples showed independent domestication events in the swamp buffalo from China and the river buffalo from the India subcontinent. The spread of swamp and river buffalo from China and India respectively to mainland Southeast Asia suggests that Southeast Asia is a hybrid zone for buffalo. Our data support the hypothesis of the evolution of domesticated swamp and river buffalo from ancestral swamp-like animals. These ancestral animals were extensively distributed across mainland Asia and most likely are represented today by the wild Asian buffalo (Bubalus arnee).

Identifiers

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2052.2007.01567.x

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