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Genetically solving a zoological mystery: was the kouprey (Bos sauveli) a feral hybrid?
Article first published online: 20 JUL 2006
DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.2006.00188.x
Additional Information
How to Cite
Galbreath, G. J., Mordacq, J. C. and Weiler, F. H. (2006), Genetically solving a zoological mystery: was the kouprey (Bos sauveli) a feral hybrid?. Journal of Zoology, 270: 561–564. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.2006.00188.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 20 JUL 2006
- Article first published online: 20 JUL 2006
- Received 3 May 2005; accepted 6 April 2006
- Abstract
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- References
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Keywords:
- kouprey;
- Bos sauveli;
- Bovidae;
- Bos;
- banteng
Abstract
A famous zoological discovery of the 20th century was that of the kouprey Bos sauveli, a medium-sized ox inhabiting Cambodian forests. The kouprey was suspiciously intermediate between banteng oxen and domestic zebu cattle in its structure. Mitochondrial DNA sequences of mainland banteng are compared here with a published kouprey sequence, and the comparison demonstrates a close relationship. Either the kouprey derives partly from banteng or (less likely) these particular banteng acquired kouprey DNA via recent genetic introgression. The kouprey may have been a feral hybrid form, a descendant of domestic oxen, rather than a natural species.