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 :
A strain of the Savannah Shorthorns in Nigeria, but the distinction is not clear from the Forest Dwarf strains. Since the second half of the first Millennium BC the Muturu cattle are thought to have been the most widespread breed in Nigeria until the spread of the Fulani since 1820 (Felius, 1995).
Main Location:
Inhabits the Benue plateau, and smaller populations in the south-west Oyo and Kware. Interbreeding with zebu resulted in declining numbers.
Habitat:
Special
Characteristic:
Dwarf cattle, with pronounced sexual dimorphism on body size, the females being generally larger. They are compact and have a well-fleshed body with dressing percentage as high as 64%.
