07-12-2008, 01:55 AM
Hmmm... seems as though my silly self may have spoken too soon. DNA and mitochondrial DNA tests have been done which show a very close relation to the Aurochs... in fact, it seems that Aurochsen may have actually bred with domesticated cattle. DNA, if well enough preserved, can be extracted from bone so that is probably how it was done.
According to the abstracts I've read, all extant cattle in the world can hybridize successfully and produce viable offspring. This makes me question if it is fair to call the different species species at all. To me it seems more like breeds of dog than anything else.
So think of it as trying to take dogs and breed back the physical appearance and traits of a wolf. You can sort of do it, but it wouldn't be a wolf.
According to the abstracts I've read, all extant cattle in the world can hybridize successfully and produce viable offspring. This makes me question if it is fair to call the different species species at all. To me it seems more like breeds of dog than anything else.
So think of it as trying to take dogs and breed back the physical appearance and traits of a wolf. You can sort of do it, but it wouldn't be a wolf.
