This study was conducted to characterize the morphological peculiarities and performance characteristics of Mursi cattle in its production environment managed by Bodi and Mursi pastoral communities in Southern Ethiopia. A structured questionnaire survey, group discussion, cattle morphological measurements and morphological descriptions were used to collect data. One hundred and two household heads were selected to administer the questionnaire and 201 adult cattle were selected for morphological description and body measurements. The Mursi cattle population was found to have variable coat colour type (85.9 percent) and coat colour pattern (51.3 percent). Body length, chest girth, withers height, rump width and rump length of Mursi cattle were 122.1 ± 0.9, 144.5 ± 0.9, 113 ± 0.1.1, 36.9 ± 0.3 and 20.4 ± 0.3 cm, respectively. Morphological measurements of most linear traits show no difference in the two locations but all measurements vary (P < 0.001) between males and females. Estimated age at first calving was 4.6 years and was significantly (P < 0.0001) higher in the Mursi area, while the calving interval (14.5 months) and cow reproductive life (14.2 years) were the same in both locations. Average daily milk yield (2.1 litres) and lactation length (7.8 months) of Mursi cattle in the two locations were similar. Cattle production was constrained by high disease prevalence, seasonal feed availability, and water shortage, with frequent drought. Trypanosomosis, black leg, anthrax and skin diseases are major cattle diseases reported in the two study areas. Because of its peculiar morphological characteristics, including large body frame, higher production performance, and survivability in the harsh environment, the Mursi cattle can be used as an alternative genetic resource for production improvement programs. RésuméCette étude a été menée dans le but de caractériser les particularités morphologiques et les performances productives des bovins Mursi dans son milieu de production, géré par les communautés pastorales Bodi et Mursi dans le Sud de l'Éthiopie. Un questionnaire structuré, un groupe de discussion et des mesures et des descriptions morphologiques des bovins ont été utilisés pour la collecte des données. Cent-deux chefs de famille ont été sélectionnés pour le questionnaire alors que 201 animaux adultes ont été choisis pour la description morphologique et les mesures corporelles. Il a été observé que la population bovine Mursi présente des couleurs (85,9 pour cent) et des motifs de la robe (51,3 pour cent) variés. La longueur du corps, le périmètre thoracique, la hauteur au garrot et la largeur et la longueur de la croupe chez les bovins Mursi ont été de 122,1 ± 0,9, 144,5 ± 0,9, 113 ± 0,1, 36,9 ± 0,3 et 20,4 ± 0,3 cm, respectivement. Aucune différence n'a été décelée entre les deux zones pour ce qui est de la plupart des mesures linéaires mais toutes les mesures ont varié (P < 0.001) entre mâles et femelles. L'âge estimé à la première mise bas a été de 4,6 ans et a été significativement (P < 0.0001) plus élevé da...

The study was conducted to characterize the morphological features of Mursi cattle breed and to identify the species of trypanosome infecting the cattle and its prevalence in these traditionally managed cattle in the Bodi and Mursi pastoral communities. Cattle body description and measurements were made on 201 matured animals. Blood samples were collected from 409 animals into heparin-treated capillary tubes and were centrifuged to 12,000 rpm for 5 min to identify trypanosome species from the wet smeared buffy coat and to estimate the degree of anemia (PCV). Tsetse flies were collected using phenol-treated biconical trap and the caught flies identified to species level. The breed possesses variable coat color pattern, coat color type, and have small to medium hump size on the thoracic vertebrae. Body measurement of Mursi cattle in the two locations did not show significant differences except chest girth, rump width, and horn length. Trypanosome prevalence in the Mursi cattle breed was 6.1%. The highest trypanosome infection was caused by Trypanosoma congolense (56%) followed by Trypanosoma vivax (40%) and Trypanosoma brucei (4%). Trypanosome prevalence significantly varies between dry (2.0%) and late rainy (10.1%) seasons (P < 0.001) and between lean (11.9%) and medium (2.4%) body condition score (P < 0.01). The PCV value was 22.1 ± 0.5%, which is significantly varied with season (P < 0.01) and parasitism (P < 0.001). Parasitaemic cattle show the lowest PCV value (20.4 ± 1%) than aparasitaemic (23.7 ± 0.3%) cattle and cattle with lean BCS showed the lowest (P < 0.0001) PCV value (20.4 ± 0.6%). Tsetse fly species identified in the study area were Glossina pallidipes, Glossina morsitans submorsitans, and Glossina fuscipes. The number of flies captured in late rainy season was higher than in dry season (P < 0.01). Despite the existence of trypanosome and high tsetse fly infestation in the areas, large proportion of the Mursi cattle shows medium BCS, low trypanosome prevalence, and higher PCV value.

This study was conducted with the objectives of documenting the husbandry and breeding practices of Mursi and Bodi communities who keep Mursi cattle breed in the pastoral production system of southwest Ethiopia. The pastoral communities raise more number of cattle (54.27 heads) compared to goat (6.47) and sheep (1.24). Sale of cattle is the main income source, while sale of honey and goat ranked second and third. The main purpose of keeping cattle is for milk production and blood as source of food, sources of income and social functions. The number of milking cows was higher (P<0.001) in Mursi (10.22) than Bodi (6.02 heads) community herds. The proportion of milking cows on average was 45.02% of the total breeding females. The ratio of breeding male to female was 1:9.8. This ratio was bigger (P<0.05) in the Mursi (1:11.28) than Bodi (1:7.73) community. The pastoralists select breeding animals based on their trait preferences. The traits preferred were milk yield, adaptive ability, coat color and ability to survive and produce on low quantity and quality feeds. Breeding males were selected based on coat color, body size and fertility by both pastoral communities; whereas, female animals were selected on the bases of milk yield, coat color, fertility and udder size. Male cattle are castrated at the age of 4.17 years, which is different (P<0.01) between Bodi (3.58) and Mursi (4.59) communities. Indigenous husbandry and breeding practices would be used as a basis for designing and implementation of appropriate breed improvement programs.

The mountainous areas of Ethiopia represent one of the most extreme environmental challenges in Africa faced by humans and other inhabitants. Selection for high-altitude adaptation is expected to have imprinted the genomes of livestock living in these areas. Here we assess the genomic signatures of positive selection for high altitude adaptation in three cattle populations from the Ethiopian mountainous areas (Semien, Choke, and Bale mountains) compared to three Ethiopian lowland cattle populations (Afar, Ogaden, and Boran), using whole-genome resequencing and three genome scan approaches for signature of selection (iHS, XP-CLR, and PBS). We identified several candidate selection signature regions and several high-altitude adaptation genes. These include genes such as ITPR2, MB, and ARNT previously reported in the human population inhabiting the Ethiopian highlands. Furthermore, we present evidence of strong selection and high divergence between Ethiopian high- and low-altitude cattle populations at three new candidate genes (CLCA2, SLC26A2, and CBFA2T3), putatively linked to high-altitude adaptation in cattle. Our findings provide possible examples of convergent selection between cattle and humans as well as unique African cattle signature to the challenges of living in the Ethiopian mountainous regions.