Abstract
Classification of cattle breeds contributes to our understanding of the history of cattle and is essential for an effective conservation of genetic diversity. Here we review the various classifications over the last two centuries and compare the most recent classifications with genetic data. The classifications devised during the 19th to the late 20th century were in line with the Linnaean taxonomy and emphasized cranial or horn morphology. Subsequent classifications were based on coat color, geographic origin or molecular markers. Several theories were developed that linked breed characteristics either to a supposed ancestral aurochs subspecies or to a presumed ethnic origin. Most of the older classifications have now been discarded, but have introduced several Latin terms that are still in use. The most consistent classification was proposed in 1995 by Felius and emphasizes the geographic origin of breeds. This is largely in agreement with the breed clusters indicated by a biochemical and molecular genetic analysis, which reflect either groups of breeds with a common geographic origin or single breeds that have expanded by export and/or crossbreeding. We propose that this information is also relevant for managing the genetic diversity of cattle.
Highlights
Represented by a worldwide population of about 1.4 billion animals, cattle are our most important livestock species
In the course of time cattle breeds were classified via different approaches, which reflected the state of the science of the era in which they were developed
A list of all scientists who proposed a classification is provided in the Supplemental Information
Summary
Represented by a worldwide population of about 1.4 billion animals, cattle are our most important livestock species. As the major source of milk, meat, hides and draught power, cattle may be considered as multi-purpose livestock. Since their domestication, they have played a major role in human culture by participating in fighting games, racing and religious ceremonies. This wide variety of characteristics evolved over thousands of years, but was accentuated by the development of well defined, specialized and genetically isolated breeds during the last centuries. The most systematic classification was proposed in 1995 by Felius [2], which emphasized the geographic origin of breeds and is largely in agreement with the breed clusters indicated by biochemical and molecular genetic analyses
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