mtDNA Diversity and genetic lineages of eighteen cattle breeds from Bos taurus and Bos indicus in China

In order to clarify the origin and genetic diversity of indigenous cattle breeds in China, we carried out phylogenetic analysis of representatives of those breeds by employing mitochondrial gene polymorphism. Complete cyt b gene sequences, 1140 bp in length, were determined for a total of 136 individuals from 18 different breeds and these sequences were clustered into two distinct genetic lineages: taurine (Bos taurus) and zebu (Bos indicus). In analysis of the cyt b gene diversity, Chinese cattle showed higher nucleotide (0.00923) and haplotype diversity (0.848) than the reports from other studies, and the animals from the taurine lineage indicated higher nucleotide diversity (0.00330) and haplotype diversity (0.746) than the ones from the zebu lineage (0.00136; 0.661). The zebu mtDNA dominated in the southern breeds (63.3-100%), while the taurine dominated in the northern breeds (81.8-100%). Six cattle breeds from the central area of China exhibited intermediate frequencies of zebu mtDNA (25-71.4%). This polymorphism revealed a declining south-to-north gradient of female zebu introgression and a geographical hybrid zone of Bos taurus and Bos indicus in China.