The full genome of the water buffalo was published earlier this month in GigaScience by an international consortium, led by researchers from the University of Adelaide, that says it has now created the tools needed to apply modern molecular breeding systems to water buffalo.
"Water buffaloes were domesticated about 5,000 years ago, and since then have been of economic importance for milk, meat and as a work animal around the world," explains consortium leader Professor John Williams, Director of the University of Adelaide's Davies Research Centre at the Roseworthy campus.
"They are particularly important in developing countries and, in specialised markets, they provide milk for products such as mozzarella cheese in Italy. The water buffalo is a key agricultural animal because it is able to adapt to diverse environments, and is particularly tolerant of disease.
There are two subspecies of water buffalo. The researchers sequenced the genome of the River buffalo, which have been selected for milk production through organized breeding programs in Italy, India, the Philippines, and Brazil.
Professor Williams says such advances in genomics have revolutionized dairy cattle breeding and now the same molecular tools will be available for water buffalo breeding.
"The publication of the buffalo genome provides the essential reference point for studies on the molecular genetics of the buffalo," Professor Williams says. "It will help breeders to enhance commercially desirable characteristics in the water buffalo, and researchers and conservationists to preserve the diversity of buffalo populations."
Image: "Olimpia da Farfengo" the female Mediterranean water buffalo that researchers sequenced. Image courtesy of Caterina Cambuli.