An overview of Maltese breed of cattle through mitochondrial DNA

Abstract

The skeletal evidence excavated from various Neolithic sites, suggest that the bull of Bos species that inhabited the Malta island (Figure 1) during that period was characterized by long horns and a large hump on the back over the shoulder, similar to that found in the various modern breeds of zebu (Bos indicus). Since oxen skeletal remains were found in Late Pleistocene deposits in Malta, it has been suggested that the Neolithic Ox was not introduced into the Island by the Neolithic man, but rather it could have been already present in a wild state and was subsequently domesticated. Although the phenotypic traits resemble those of the modern Maltese breed, there is no scientific proof about their relationship.