Abstract: The gayal (Bos frontalis) is a rare semi-wild and semi-domestic bovine species. There still have remarkable divergences on the gayal�s origin and taxonomic status. In the present study, the cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene partial sequences (447 bp) of 13 gayals were sequenced and analyzed. Combined with the homologous fragments of other bovine Cyt b sequences cited in GenBank, the phylogenetic trees of genus Bos were reconstructed by Neighbor-Joining (NJ) and Maximum Parsimony (MP) methods with Bubalus bubalis as outgroup. Sequence analysis showed that, among he 447 sites compared for 13 gayals, 33 variable sites (7.38% of all sites) and 4 different haplotypes were observed, showing abundant mitochondrial genetic diversity in gayals. Both NJ and MP trees demonstrated that gayals in this study were markedly divided into 3 embranchments: One embranchment clustering with Bos gaurus, another clustering with Bos taurus and the third clustering with Bos indicus. The results of phylogenetic analysis suggested that the gayal might be the domesticated form of the gaur and a great proportion of the gayal bloodline was invaded by other bovine species.
S. Li , H. Chang , G. Ma , H. Chen , D. Ji and R. Geng , 2007. The Origin and Taxonomic Status of the Gayal Based on Cytochrome B Gene Partial Sequences . Research Journal of Animal Sciences, 1: 114-119.