Cytogenetic analysis reveals the swamp status of the indigenous “Bhangor” Buffalo population from Tripura state

The domestic water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) are classified into the swamp and riverine. However, their hybrids are also found in some parts of Assam (Brahmaputra Valley) in North-east India. Swamp buffaloes have a typical phenotypic appearance, like the shape of horns, small size and body-color, etc. This study characterizes the indigenous ‘Bhangor’ buffalo population from the Tripura state using cytogenetic analyses. The blood of buffaloes samples were collected across the state, phenotypically identified as swamp buffaloes were cultured, terminated and harvested using conventional karyotype protocol to determine the number of chromosomes. We have characterized ‘Bhangor’ an indigenous buffalo population from Tripura state using karyotypic analysis for the first time to confirm that all animals phenotypically identified as swamp buffaloes with 2N=48 chromosomes.