RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TARO CATTLE AND BALI CATTLE IN BALI

Bali cattle (Bos sondaicus) is one of the native Indonesian cattle nations which is a native descendant of a bull (Bibos banteng) and has undergone a process of domestication in the islands of Java, Bali and Lombok. The physical characteristics of bali cattle are very easy to recognize, such as medium-sized, deep breasts, humps, and slender legs. The skin is brick red, the nose mirror, nails, and tail feathers (tail) are black. The feet under the carpal and tarsal joints are white (white stocking). White is also found on the skin of the buttocks and on the inner thighs. In this section the skin color is oval (white mirror). On his back always found black feathers forming a line (eel line) extending from the gumba to the base of the tail (Batan, 2006). Until now there are at least three local cattle breeds that have been characterized by their phenotypic characteristics in Indonesia. It is estimated that there are still many more local Indonesian cattle that cannot be characterized yet and some may already be almost extinct or near extinction. The cattle have not yet been explored the potential for genetic diversity to be used as a source of improving the quality of genetic cattle in Indonesia (Lelana et al., 2003). In addition to bali cattle, in Bali there are also groups of cattle with a very small population and limited life in the forest of Taro Village, Tegallalang District, Gianyar, Bali and the people call them white cattle (taro cattle). In general, the phenotype of bali cattle when compared to taro cattle there is no significant difference. The difference is clearly seen in the color of taro cattle. The distribution of taro cattle is only around the village forest, Taro Tegallalang Village, Bali. The taro is used only for traditional ceremonies and is believed to have the power to be able to provide positive energy for the ongoing series of ceremonies. Until now, the origin of the taro cattle unknown yet. The taro cattle is not pigmented but not known yet whether albino as albino events in humans or because it is a special variant so the color is different from bali cattle. There is an allegation that the taro cattle came from a bali cattle which experienced genetic erosion and the presence of reproductive isolation with bali cattle (reproductive barriers). As a result there is a separation of groups of cattle with a limited gene structure because there is no gene flow from bali cattle. The group of cattle develops along the pathway so that a group of taro cattle formed with the same morphological characteristics in the group. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these allegations. Taro cattle, while this is only used for religious ceremonies. The results of preliminary studies indicate that the unique taro cattle until now only numbered 30 cattles. Referring to the limitation of population risk status, white cattle are categorized as critical (Critical breed). According to Food And Agriculture Organization (FAO) (2000) the number of populations ranging from under 100 is categorized as a critical population. If left unchecked, more biological wealth will be neglected so that we will lose genetic wealth. To find out the relationship between taro cattle and bali cattle, molecular genetic research has been carried out using molecular markers of D-Loop mitochondrial DNA, Cytochrom-B and Cytochrom Oxidase subunit I. Alignment of nucleotides from bali cattle and taro cattle showed that there were six varied sites, a small number of haplotypes (4 haplotypes), nitrogen base content that contained relatively more adenine and thymine base (AT) than cytocine and guanine (CG) ), and a small genetic distance (0-0,001). The closely genetic indicate that taro cattle and bali cattle are closely related and have a common ancestor, this is likely due to mating when the taro cattle were released in the forest of Taro Village decades ago. Although there is have genetic proximity, there are also differences in some Nitrogen bases. The differences at these sites can be used as genetic markers (barcode species). Differences in the composition and sequence of nitrogen bases (base N) in genes are due to point mutations such as N-base substitution or replacement of an N-base against other N-bases.