Their most distinctive characteristic is the presence of a prominent “hump” behind their neck, but there are many other fundamental differences between the Nelore and the European breeds. Microsatellites are the best available molecular tools for characterization of cattle breeds. Cattle have strong necks and prominent dewlaps. The small East African Shorthorn Zebu (EASZ) is the main indigenous cattle across East Africa. Zebu cattle are usually red or grey, are horned, have loose skin, large ears, and have a hump above their shoulders. They have evolved mainly from thee breeds of Indian cattle (Guzerat, Nelore, and Gir). You can read more about Brangus here. The breed is developed from the Zebu cattle of Asia, and has been selectively bred from Indian strains of Kankrej, Ongole, Gir and Gujarat cattle. Nelore Origin The Nelore is of the species Bos indicus (Zebu), and has great dissimilarities to breeds of the Bos taurus (European) species, like the Angus, Hereford, Charolais and others. Their sleek coats are dense and short. In Cameroon, 99% of the estimated popula-tion of six million cattle are WAZ breeds. Horns may go forward, down, back, a combination, or any other way imaginable. The Zebu spread across southern Asia, immigrating later to the African continent where they migrated slowly southward. The Zebu and European types of cattle both are thought to have been domesticated in western Asia. The present study was carried out to characterize two Indian cattle breeds, Ongole and Deoni, using microsatellite markers. Results. Flávio Dutra de Resende II; Antonio Gesualdi Júnior I; Augusto César de Queiroz I; Marcelo Henrique de Faria II; Alexandre Pio Viana III. Other physical characteristics vary between breed, … The Miniature Zebu's most distinguishing characteristic is a well developed hump, especially on the mature bulls.
RUMINANTS . Bos indicus Zebu cattle in Africa fall into two distinct groups, the West African Zebu (WAZ) and East African Zebu (EAZ).
Miniature Zebu Cattle have long whip-like tails and may have horns which are very unique to each animal. It’s used often in crossbreeding programmes; one of the most famous resulting breeds being the Brangus cattle type!
Beginning about the middle of the 19th century, Zebu cattle principally from India were transported to the Americas, Australia and various tropical islands. They are thought to be the world’s oldest domesticated cattle. They consist of two major sub-types of the Sokoto and Adamawa Gudali [12]. Zebu cattle (Bos indicus) are called humped cattle; each specimen has a hump over its shoulders. The head is small relative to body size; it has a long, straight snout. The Indian zebu cattle have their significant role in evolution of present day cattle breeds and development of some of the exotic breeds.
Carcass characteristics of feedlot-finished Zebu and Caracu cattle 1.
A recent genome wide SNP analysis revealed an ancient stable African taurine x Asian zebu admixture.