Multiple domestication of swamp buffalo in China and South East Asia

Abstract

The domestication of swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis carabanesis) has been discussed for years and still remained unclear. To obtain a better understanding of where, when and how the swamp buffaloes were domesticated, the complete mitochondrial DNA D-loop sequences of 1,788 individuals from China, Vietnam, Laos,

Mitogenome Diversity and Maternal Origins of Guangxi Buffalo Breeds

“…Here, we found that the SB3 haplogroup was also detected in the Fuzhong buffalo, though with only two individuals. Our results showed that the haplogroup SA1 dominated in Fuzhong (45%) and Xilin buffalo (55%), and thus were consistent with previous studies based on the mtDNA control region and cytochrome b gene [4,6]. Furthermore, the haplogroup SA1 showed a star-like phylogeny, which was in accordance with the results of previous studies [4,6,8,17].…”

“…In this study, we detected five haplogroups (SA1, SA2, SB1, SB2, SB3) in the Guangxi buffalo. Previous studies have detected four haplogroups (SA1, SA2, SB1, SB2) in the Fuzhong buffalo, while five haplogroups (SA1, SA2, SB1, SB2, SB3) were observed in the Xilin buffalo [4,6]. Here, we found that the SB3 haplogroup was also detected in the Fuzhong buffalo, though with only two individuals.…”

“…Fuzhong and Xilin buffalo are the native Guangxi buffalo breeds that are distributed in the hotspots for potential swamp buffalo domestication [4,10]. To date, most published studies about their mtDNA have mainly focused on the mitochondrial D-loop region and the cytochrome b gene [4,[6][7][8][9]. However, there are limited studies based on the complete mtDNA genome.…”

“…The river buffalo was domesticated in the western region of the Indian subcontinent, and then spread to the west. The swamp buffalo was domesticated in the China/Indochina border region and later spread to the other regions [4,6]. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a very useful tool to investigate genetic diversity, phylogeny, and maternal origins of domesticated animals.…”

“…Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a very useful tool to investigate genetic diversity, phylogeny, and maternal origins of domesticated animals. However, to date, most studies have been limited to the mitochondrial D-loop region and cytochrome b gene [4,[6][7][8][9]. Previous studies of mtDNA showed that swamp buffalo can be assigned into the five previously defined haplogroups: Two major haplogroups (SA and SB with various subclades) and three rare ones (SC, SD, and SE) [4,10].…”