October 19, 2006

Biologists 'demote' Asian forest ox

By Megan Fellman

It was one of the most famous discoveries of the 20th century. Shrouded in mystery since its recognition as a new species in 1937, the kouprey — an ox with dramatic, curving horns — has been an icon of Southeast Asian conservation. Feared extinct, it’s been the object of perilous expeditions to the region’s jungles by adventurers, scientists and journalists.

Now, in a paper published by the Journal of Zoology (London), Northwestern biologists and a Cambodian conservationist present compelling genetic evidence that the kouprey may never have existed as a wild, natural species.

The researchers compared a published DNA sequence from the kouprey with sequences obtained from a true Cambodian wild ox, the banteng. The researchers had predicted, based on a study of kouprey anatomy, that the kouprey was a hybrid form and would show mitochondrial DNA similar to that of the banteng. The prediction was confirmed by their analysis.

The kouprey, now the national animal of Cambodia, may have originated as a domestic hybrid, between banteng and zebu cattle, that later became wild. (“Kouprey” means “forest ox” in the Khmer language.)

“The kouprey has acquired a rather romantic, exotic reputation,” said Gary J. Galbreath, senior author of the paper and associate director of Northwestern’s Program in Biological Sciences. “Some people would understandably be sad to see it dethroned as a species.”

But, added Galbreath, “It is surely desirable not to waste time and money trying to locate or conserve a domestic breed gone wild. The limited funds available for conservation should be used to protect wild species.” Galbreath has been traveling to Southeast Asia studying its animals since 1999.

Ironically, Galbreath began his work in Southeast Asia in hopes of identifying a new species of bear. It turned out to be an undescribed golden color phase of the moon bear. He also was involved in the debunking of another alleged new species of hoofed animal, the “khting vor,” that was only known to science from specimens of its horns. Galbreath and others showed that these horns were the work of human artisans — the “khting vor” was a fake.

Instead of finding new species, Galbreath said, “I’ve been involved in showing that two named species of large mammal may never have existed as such.” But, he notes, “In the end, good science is about what is true, not what is desired to be true.”