Lowland Anoa

About this species

Lowland Anoa belongs to buffalo endemic to Sulawesi. Its closest relative is the mountain anoa, and it is still a debate as to whether the two are the same species or not. It is also related to the water buffalo, and both are classified in the genus Bubalus. Skulls of anoa cannot be accurately identified as to species, and there is likely hybridizing and interbreeding between the mountain anoa and lowland anoa in the zoo population. (Wikipedia, general species account).

A study of the mtDNA of ten specimens from different localities found a high mitochondrial genetic diversity between individuals identified as one or the other species, indicating support for recognition as two species. Both anoa species are found on the island of Sulawesi and the nearby island of Buton in Indonesia and live in undisturbed rainforest areas. It is questioned as to whether the two species were actually different due to them occurring together in many different areas, as well as some interbreeding. (Wikipedia, general species account).

Description: Wildlife of sulawesi guide, Wildlife of Everywhere (wildlifeofeverywhere.com); general species information paraphrased from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)