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New Research Documents Domestic Cattle Genetics in Modern Bison Herds

Bison, also known as American buffalo, are an iconic symbol of the American West. They once roamed the Great Plains in massive herds, but their numbers dwindled due to overhunting and habitat loss. Today, bison are making a comeback thanks to conservation efforts, but many of the animals in modern bison herds have domestic cattle genetics. A new study sheds light on this phenomenon and its implications for bison conservation.

Introduction

Bison were nearly driven to extinction in the 19th century, but conservation efforts have helped them rebound. Today, there are around 500,000 bison in North America, but many of them have domestic cattle genetics due to interbreeding with cows. This can have negative consequences for bison conservation, as it can reduce genetic diversity and make the animals more susceptible to disease.

The Study

A new study published in the journal PLOS ONE analyzed the genetic makeup of bison from 12 different herds across North America. The researchers found that many of the bison had domestic cattle genetics, with some herds having as much as 50% cattle ancestry.

The study also found that bison herds with higher levels of cattle ancestry had lower genetic diversity and higher levels of inbreeding. This suggests that interbreeding with cows can have negative consequences for bison populations.

Implications for Conservation

The findings of this study have important implications for bison conservation. In order to maintain genetic diversity and ensure the long-term survival of bison populations, it is important to minimize interbreeding with domestic cattle.

One way to do this is through selective breeding programs that aim to increase the number of purebred bison in herds. Another approach is to establish separate breeding populations for purebred bison and those with cattle genetics.

Conclusion

Bison are an important part of North America's natural heritage, but their conservation is complicated by the presence of domestic cattle genetics in many modern herds. The new study highlights the need for conservation efforts that prioritize genetic diversity and minimize interbreeding with cows.

FAQs

1. Why do bison have domestic cattle genetics?

- Bison and cows can interbreed, and this has occurred in many modern bison herds.

2. What are the consequences of interbreeding with cows for bison conservation?

- Interbreeding can reduce genetic diversity and make bison more susceptible to disease.

3. How can we minimize interbreeding with domestic cattle?

- Selective breeding programs and separate breeding populations for purebred bison are two possible approaches.

This abstract is presented as an informational news item only and has not been reviewed by a subject matter professional. This abstract should not be considered medical advice. This abstract might have been generated by an artificial intelligence program. See TOS for details.

Most frequent words in this abstract:
bison (6), conservation (3), herds (3)