Mayombe or Dahomey (in DR Congo), Lagoon (in Ghana)
Breed Group Name:
Humpless Shorthorns
Subgroup Information:
Group Origin:
Until recent molecular genetic and archaeological findings established African taurine domestication as the origin for the present-day Humpless Shorthorn cattle (Bos taurus) of west and central Africa (Hanotte et al., 2002; MacDonald, 2000), the Humpless Shorthorns were believed to have descended from domestic cattle populations that evolved some 2000 years later than the initial domestication in the 'Fertile Crescent' that were introduced into Africa subsequent to the introduction of the Humpless Longhorns (Epstein, 1971; Payne and Wilson, 1999). These cattle are generally smaller in body size and have shorter horns than the Humpless Longhorns, which made them much easier to manage. They also appear to have been deliberately developed for milk production (Payne and Wilson, 1999). The present-day distribution of the Humpless Shorthorn cattle breeds in sub-Saharan Africa is restricted to the tsetse-infested areas of west and central Africa. There are 14 breeds/strains of pure Shorthorn cattle and five breeds, which have been derived from zebu-Shorthorn interbreeding. The pure Shorthorns are of two types: the larger Savannah type predominantly found in the Guinean or Sudano-Guinan savannas from Cote d'Ivoire to Cameroon, and the smaller Dwarf (or Forest) Shorthorns mainly restricted to the coastal forest regions. In French-speaking countries, the savannah Shorthorns are called Baoule and the Dwarf type Lagune. In English-speaking countries the name Muturu is used. A small population of the Dwarf type found in Cameroon between Buea and Victoria in the south-west province is known locally as Bakweri, while Kapsiki, Doayo and Bakosi represent the Savannah type.
Breed Origin :
Appear to have descended from the Humpless Shorthorns, particularly the Savannah Shorthorns, and have become dwarf in response to the hot and wet climate of humid West Africa. Lagune are the Dwarf Shorthorn type of cattle found in Francophone West Africa (cf. Muturu in Anglophone West Africa).
Main Location:
Mainly found in Benin (southern provinces of Atlantique, Mono, Oueme and Zou), but also in Cote d'Ivoire (along the coastal region around Jacqueville, Abidjan and Sassandra) and Togo. Also introduced into Zaire (Equateur region), Gabon and Congo from the beginning of 1900s. A small population is also found in the south-eastern corner of Ghana, near Ada and Keta Lagoon.
Habitat:
Special
Characteristic:
Dwarf cattle with thin and flat horns, which are sometimes loose or absent. Coat colour is mostly plain black. The back is elevated towards the rump.
