Wild Cattle in the Wetlands - Is the Bornean Banteng a Distinct Species? Abdul Hamid Ahmad Universiti Malaysia Sabah Hisashi Matsubayashi Tokyo University of Agriculture Bos javanicus D’Alton 1823 Three subspecies: Java banteng : B. j. javanicus Mainland banteng : B. j. birmanicus Borneo Banteng: B. j. lowi Banteng in Sabah • Historically abundant – amazing anecdotes during timber extraction time (e.g. 1970s) • Still exists in major forest reserves, although in small and scattered populations. • Banteng could benefit a lot from forest connectivity (Ulu Padas FR) • Kulamba Wetlands has the largest herds Borneo Banteng: Paitan FR Hybridisation • Many cattle species from the genus Bos are able to produce hybrids (with various degrees of interfertility) • Hybrids are still produced for various purposes e.g. The Gayal in India (Gaur x cattle) • If Bornean banteng readily breeds with domestic cattle, it could pose a hybridiation threat! IUCN-SSC Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group • Hybridisation with domestic cattle is one of the biggest threat to the Bornean banteng • Field studies began in 2006 (UMS) and TUA joined in 2012. • We wanted confirm genetic introgression by the domestic cattle onto banteng genetics Is it threatened by hybridization? • Domestic cattle? • Fecal samples: Deramakot FR, Malua FR, Maliau FR, Kulamba WR Published 2014 – results of partial mtDNA analyses The Bornean banteng… • Is free from genetic introgression by domestic cattle • Hybridization threat is not demonstrated in wild Bornean banteng • Does not form sister group with the other two subspecies, but closer to the gaur (Bos gaurus) Complete mtDNA seq Was earlier not possible – difficulty in getting blood samples. • 2010, Malua FR – dried skull • Pulp from a tooth of a poached bull • Sequenced for complete mtDNA • Published in 2015 (Mitochondrial DNA) • Similar results Bornean banteng 1000 Gaur 661 Javan 1000 banteng Mainland banteng Distinct species (?) • Improves the profile for the Borneo banteng • Very small and scattered populations • Kryotyping • Boundary of new genetic profile is unknown • In need of conservation • Conservation breeding.