The river buffalo (Bubalus bubalis, 2n=50) cytogenetic map: assignment of 64 loci by fluorescence in situ hybridisation and R-banding

Sixty-four genomic BAC-clones mapping 5 type I (ADCYAP1, HRH1, IL3, RBP3B and SRY) and 59 type II loci, previously FISH-mapped to goat (63 loci) and cattle (SRY) chromosomes, were fluorescence in situ mapped to river buffalo R-banded chromosomes, noticeably extending the physical map of this species. All mapped loci from 26 bovine syntenic groups were located on homoeologous chromosomes and chromosome regions of river buffalo and goat (cattle) chromosomes, confirming the high degree of chromosome homoeologies among bovids. Furthermore, an improved cytogenetic map of the river buffalo with 293 loci from all 31 bovine syntenic groups is reported.