Humpless Shorthorn cattle (Bos taurus) of northern Africa appear to be similar in evolutionary descent with the Humpless Shorthorn cattle of western and central Africa; however, in view of the presence of the Sahara desert, in most of which cattle are excluded except the distribution of some Zebu breed types, in between the present-day distributions of these two groups, as well as the observed secondary genetic influence of B. taurus introduction from Europe and the Near East (Hanotte et al., 2002), the present-day Humpless Shorthorn cattle of northern Africa more appropriately belong to a separate breed group. 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, central and northern 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). In general African Humpless Shorthorns are generally smaller in body size and have shorter horns than the Humpless Longhorns, which made them much easier to manage. Recent archaeological and molecular genetic evidence suggests that African Humpless Shorthorns could have come from separate domestication of the Bos taurus in Africa, referred to as the African taurines. The present-day distribution of the Humpless Shorthorn cattle breeds in northern Africa extends from Egypt through Libya, Tunisia and Algeria to Morocco. There are two subgroups of these breeds: the Egyptian and Brown Atlas. The Egyptian includes the Baladi, Damietta, Maryuti and Saidi of Egypt. The Brown Atlas inhabit a wide coastal area of Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco (Maule, 1990).
Breed Origin :
These cattle are generally considered to be of Brachyceros (Shorthorn) type, although some writers believe that they have little Zebu blood. Their conformation is similar to those of the Cyprus, Damascus and Lebanese cattle, but they have some signs of hump development. In general this breed is believed to have derived mainly from the Humpless Shorthorn cattle of African (Hanotte et al., 2002) or Asian origin (Epstein, 1971; Payne an Wilson, 1999).
Main Location:
Mainly inhabit the south-eastern Delta in the Manufia and Qulyoubia governorates in Lower Egypt (Maule, 1990).
Habitat:
Special
Characteristic:
Small in body size; have the slightest sign of hump.
