The bull at 0:57 is very interesting. Not only do its horns face more forward than usual for Heck cattle (especially for the founding individuals of this population), but also its legs are longer and the trunk shorter and less massive. Also the skull is not as short as in usual Heck cattle. All in all it is more aurochs-like than usual Heck bulls. It is well possible that this is an actual result of natural selection, as the proportions and horn orientation are probably not the result of phenotypic plasticity.
The bulls in this video are less long-legged, but their horn orientation is interesting as well. It approaches the aurochs-like 70-60° relative to the snout. When you look at older photos of Heck bulls from the OVP, you see bulls with much more upright and straightly curved horns. To me, this is another hint that evolution is at work at the OVP, and resulting in a regression towards wildtype-like phenotypes.
The Heck cattle population in Slikken van Flakkee is interesting as well. As the cattle at OVP, they are free to breed for themselves without any artificial selection. This means there are some selective pressures working on the cattle. And just like the Heck cattle at OVP, they are more slender and more long-legged than usual Heck cattle.
The video shows some bulls fighting. They have more aurochs-like proportions than usual Heck cattle, and also have a hump, which is rare in Heck cattle. I particularly like the bull at 3:53, the curly hair gives it a kind of wild appearance.
Both the populations at OVP and Slikken van Flakkee are very interesting and valuable populations. A study could be done that documents the phenotypic changes in the herd over the decades in order to have an empirical support for the regression towards the wildtype. A pity that nobody that has the possibilities seems to be interested in such a study (dedomestication is definitely under-studied).
Ojalá conviviesen con lobos para que la selección natural fuese completa.
ReplyDeleteI wonder whether limb length is not significantly increasing in these herds because of the absence of predators. The cursorial aspect of a wild habitat isn't sufficiently reproduced for these feral/rewilded herds. They simply have no need for long limbs as they only occasionally run to chase each other.
ReplyDeleteLimb length is a naturally selected trait, that changes according to the need for running which is usually due to the presence and type of predators. The presence of cursorial predators means that it becomes more necessary to have long legs: the fastest runners will survive. Long limbs mean bigger strides which lead to more energy efficient running and better stamina to get away from predators. Wolves are endurance runners and wolf packs usually overcome larger prey after exhausting them first. This makes long legs essential to any breeding back cattle that is destined to be released into habitats where predators are present. It would be a waste of time and effort if the animals sort of look the part but can't run to save their lives. They would be an easy prey and decimated in a short time.
On another note: I grew up near Flakkee (it was a bicycle ride away).
Besides the Slikken van Flakkee (1500 hectares) the island of Goeree-Overflakkee also has several other nice nature sites like:
- the "Kwade Hoek", (1200 hectares)known for birding, crustaceans and coastal flora
- the "Hellegatsplaten" (300 Hectares), which has another Heck cattle herd of about 80 heads that has been there around three decades. They share the area with horses.
Also, if you drive about an hour and a half north from the island, towards Haarlem, there is the Kraansvlak (Part of the Kennemer Duinen/Dunes) where they have a herd of Wisents. From the Kraansvlak you can reach the OVP in like 45 minutes.
If you want to watch/study cattle but don't have a long time then it's easy to see the herds in the Slikken, Hellegatsplaten, Kraansvlak and OVP in one weekend.
Wisent are also present at the Slikken van Heen.
ReplyDeleteI know the herd manager of the herds of Heck Cattle and Fjord horses at Slikken van Flakkee, and she actively selects animals based on aurochs like traits. A genetic profile is known from all of the animals. they can breed freely but when there is too much inbreeding, those animals are selected out. Since the foundation of the heck herd, no animals were added, so they are all quite related, but still there is quite a big variation is phenotypes. The herd is composed of about 40% bulls and 60% cows and every year when the animals are caught so that the calves can get eartags, the animals with less aurochs like characteristics and a high inbreeding percentage are selected out. So lighter coloured animals, upright horns etc. I have to say, knowing the herd myself, that the quality is much higher than other pure heck herds. Most bulls these days have forward curving horns of an okay to good size and the colouration of most of the animals is also very good. If you get the chance, I would recommend visiting them, as indeed there is another herd closeby at Hellegatsplaten on the same island and many Koniks and also wisents at another reserve.
ReplyDeletefun fact: the herd of Slikken van Flakkee is one of herds that the herd at Oostvaardersplassen originates from.
Very interesting information, thanks! Do you maybe have an email adress for me where I can contact the herd manager?
Deleteyes, can I send it to you. how can I best reach you? I don't want to share it publicly on here.
DeleteThe cattle in OVP are being culled because there are too many herbivores. Unfortunately, similarity to the aurochs isn't being considered as a criterion. So much for that unique population...
ReplyDeleteculling has always happened there. but in years gone by it used to be on which animals would make it through the winter, based on their body score. there was no fixed number on how many animals would be culled. but now the government has decided that they want to reduce the total amount of animals. and so they will react quicker. but if evolution is at work and more aurochs- like individuals should be in a bigger advantage, then more culling wouldn't necessarily have to be damaging. and trust me... also at OVP the people who do the shooting take into account the traits of the animals. same with the koniks there.
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