View source for Anoa

{{Short description|Dwarf buffalo from Sulawesi}}
{{about|the animal|the Indonesian-made military vehicle|Anoa (armoured personnel carrier)}}
{{More citations needed|date=March 2016}}
{{Automatic taxobox
| image = Anoa Bubalus depressicornis Surabaya Zoo.jpg
| image_caption = Lowland anoa (''B. depressicornis'') at the [[Surabaya Zoo]], [[Surabaya]], East Java, Indonesia
| image2 = Mountain Anoa at Krefeld Zoo.jpg
| image2_caption = Mountain anoa (''B. quarlesi'') at the [[Krefeld Zoo]], [[Krefeld]], [[Germany]]
| status = E
| status_system = ESA
| status_ref = <ref>{{cite web| url = https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/profile/speciesProfile?sId=8361| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161226034611/http://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/profile/speciesProfile?sId=8361| archive-date = 2016-12-26| title = Species Profile for Mountain anoa (Bubalus quarlesi)}}</ref>
| taxon = Bubalus (Anoa)
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision = 
{{Linked species list
| Bubalus depressicornis | Smith, 1827 (type)
| †Bubalus grovesi | Rozzi, 2017<ref name=Rozzi>{{cite journal |last1=Rozzi |first1=Roberto |title=A new extinct dwarfed buffalo from Sulawesi and the evolution of the subgenus Anoa: An interdisciplinary perspective |journal=Quaternary Science Reviews |date=2017 |volume=157 |pages=188–205 |doi=10.1016/j.quascirev.2016.12.011|doi-access=free |bibcode=2017QSRv..157..188R }}</ref>
| Bubalus quarlesi | Ouwens, 1910
}}
}}

'''Anoa''', also known as '''dwarf buffalo''' and '''''sapiutan''''',{{citation needed|date=July 2022}} are two species of the genus ''[[Bubalus]]'', placed within the subgenus ''Anoa'' and endemic to the island of [[Sulawesi]] in [[Indonesia]]: the [[mountain anoa]] (''Bubalus quarlesi'') and the [[lowland anoa]] (''Bubalus depressicornis''). Both live in undisturbed rainforests and are similar in appearance to miniature [[water buffalo]]es, weighing {{convert|150|-|300|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. 'Anoa' itself is [[Celebic languages|Celebic]] in origin [[cognate]] to words in other related [[Philippine languages]] in the same Austronesian family that name the common water buffalo (''anwáng'' in Tagalog, ''nuáng'' in Ilocano, nuwang in Ifugaw etc.).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://acd.clld.org/cognatesets/27616#4/9.67/121.25|website=The Austronesian Comparative Dictionary|title=*qaNuaŋ large ruminant species: carabao, water buffalo|access-date=Feb 24, 2025|last1=Blust|first1=Robert|last2=Trussel|first2=Stephen|year=2020|publisher=Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology}}</ref>

Both species of anoa have been classified as [[endangered]] since the 1960s and the populations continue to decrease.  Fewer than 5,000 animals of each species likely remain.  Reasons for their decline include [[poaching]] for [[hide (skin)|hide]]s, [[horn (anatomy)|horn]]s, and [[meat]] by the local peoples and [[loss of habitat]] due to the advancement of settlement. Currently, poaching is the most serious factor in most areas.

Anoa are most closely allied to the larger [[water buffalo|Asian buffaloes]], showing the same reversal of the direction of the hair on their backs. The [[Horn (anatomy)|horn]]s are peculiar for their upright direction and comparative straightness, although they have the same triangular section as in other buffaloes. White spots are sometimes present below the eyes and there may be white markings on the legs and back; the absence or presence of these white markings may be indicative of distinct [[Race (biology)|race]]s. The horns of the cows are very small. The nearest allies of the anoa appear to be certain extinct Asian buffaloes, the remains of which have been found in the [[Siwalik Hills]] of northern India.<ref name="EB1911">{{EB1911|inline=y|wstitle=Anoa|volume=2|page=79}}</ref> Imagery of anoas may be present in the oldest rock art known as of 2024.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Oktaviana |first1=Adhi Agus |last2=Joannes-Boyau |first2=Renaud |last3=Hakim |first3=Budianto |last4=Burhan |first4=Basran |last5=Sardi |first5=Ratno |last6=Adhityatama |first6=Shinatria |last7=Hamrullah |last8=Sumantri |first8=Iwan |last9=Tang |first9=M. |last10=Lebe |first10=Rustan |last11=Ilyas |first11=Imran |last12=Abbas |first12=Abdullah |last13=Jusdi |first13=Andi |last14=Mahardian |first14=Dewangga Eka |last15=Noerwidi |first15=Sofwan |date=July 2024 |title=Narrative cave art in Indonesia by 51,200 years ago |journal=Nature |volume=631 |issue=8022 |pages=814–818 |doi=10.1038/s41586-024-07541-7 |pmid=38961284 |issn=1476-4687|pmc=11269172 |bibcode=2024Natur.631..814O }}</ref>

Both are found on the island of [[Sulawesi]] and the nearby island of [[Buton]] in [[Indonesia]].<ref name=Burton2005>{{Cite journal|title=The taxonomic status, distribution and conservation of the lowland anoa ''Bubalus depressicornis'' and mountain anoa ''Bubalus quarlesi''|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229612804 |date=January 2005 |last1=Burton |first1=James |last2=Hedges |first2=Simon |last3=Mustari |first3=Abdul Haris |journal=Mammal Review |volume=35 |issue=1 |pages=25–50 |doi=10.1111/j.1365-2907.2005.00048.x |bibcode=2005MamRv..35...25B |access-date=2021-02-27}}</ref> They live singly or in pairs, rather than in herds like most cattle, except when the cows are about to give birth. Little is known about their life history as well. However, in captive individuals, they have a life expectancy of 20–30 years. The anoa take two to three years before they reach sexual maturity have one calf a year and have very rarely been seen to have more.

Skulls of anoa cannot be accurately identified as to species, and there is likely [[hybrid (biology)|hybridizing]] and interbreeding between the two in the zoo population. It is questioned as to whether the two species were different due to them occurring together in many different areas, as well as some interbreeding. 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.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Priyono|first1=Dwi|last2=Solihin|first2=Dedy|last3=Farajallah|first3=Achmad|last4=Arini|first4=Diah|date=2018-11-01|title=Anoa, dwarf buffalo from Sulawesi, Indonesia: Identification based on DNA barcode|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328138675|journal=Biodiversitas|volume=19|issue=6|pages=1985–1992|doi=10.13057/biodiv/d190602|doi-access=free}}</ref>

==Species==
[[File:Lowland Anoa.JPG|thumb|left|Lowland anoa]]
* The [[lowland anoa]] (''Bubalus depressicornis'') is a small [[bovid]],<ref name=iucn1>{{cite iucn |author=Burton, J. |author2=Wheeler, P. |author3=Mustari, A. |date=2016 |title=''Bubalus depressicornis'' |volume=2016 |article-number=e.T3126A46364222 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T3126A46364222.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref> standing barely over {{convert|90|cm|in|abbr=on}} at the shoulder. It is usually solitary, living in [[lowland]] [[tropical rainforest|forests]], browsing on plants and [[understory]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=David |date=2002 |title=Bubalus depressicornis |url=https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Bubalus_depressicornis/ |access-date=August 9, 2024 |website=Animal Diversity Web}}</ref> According to Groves (1969) the lowland anoa can be told apart from the other species by being larger, having a triangular horn cross-section, sparse as opposed to thick and woolly hair, and always having white markings on the face and legs.<ref name=Burton2005/>

[[File:Buablus quarlesi2.jpg|left|thumb|Mountain anoa]]
* The [[mountain anoa]] (''Bubalus quarlesi'') is also known as Quarle's anoa and ''anoa pegunungan''.<ref name=iucn2>{{cite iucn |author=Burton, J. |author2=Wheeler, P. |author3=Mustari, A. |date=2016 |title=''Bubalus quarlesi'' |volume=2016 |article-number=e.T3128A46364433 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T3128A46364433.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref> Standing at {{convert|70|cm|in|abbr=on}} at the shoulder, it is even smaller than the lowland anoa and the smallest of all living [[Bovini|wild cattle]]. They also have longer, [[wool]]ier hair that moults every year, showing faint spots on the head, neck, and limbs.<ref name="ARKive">{{cite web|url=http://www.arkive.org/mountain-anoa/bubalus-quarlesi|title=Mountain anoa videos, photos and facts – Bubalus quarlesi – ARKive|work=ARKive|access-date=2011-10-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110913140513/http://www.arkive.org/mountain-anoa/bubalus-quarlesi/|archive-date=2011-09-13}}</ref> According to Groves (1969), the mountain anoa can be told apart from the other species by being smaller, having a round horn cross-section, thick and woolly hair, and sometimes having white markings on the face and legs.<ref name=Burton2005/>

==Distribution==
Both the lowland anoa (''Bubalus depressicornis'') and the mountain anoa (''Bubalus quarlesi'') are endemic to the islands of Sulawesi in Indonesia. Both species appear to occur in the same areas.<ref name=Burton2005/> Sulawesi is a unique area because roughly 61% of the species found there are endemic species, including both anoa species.

==Habitat==
Traditionally, a key difference between the two species is the altitude at which they occur. The mountain anoa can be found at higher elevations than its lowland counterpart and is found in the forests. The lowland anoa was said to spend its time in the lower elevation areas and is also found in forests. Since 2005, however, these differences do not seem to be accurate, both species occur in the same areas in the same habitats.<ref name=Burton2005/>

==Morphology==
The anoa have many physical characteristics of bovine relatives and are considered to be most closely related to the water buffalo, which was confirmed through DNA analysis.<ref name=Burton2005/>

The physical characteristics of the two species are similar. The anoa is the smallest of the wild cattle species. When anoa are born, they have a set of thick, woolly fur that comes in many color variations ranging from yellow to brown. In adults, the fur is typically brown or black, and males tend to have darker variations. Hair thickness varies slightly between the two species based on elevation and distribution. In both species of anoa, horns are present in both males and females and are typically straight protuberances. Another defining characteristic of the anoa is an extremely thick hide underneath the thick fur.

==Conservation==
Both anoa species are endemic to the island of Sulawesi and are currently experiencing large declines in their populations. Knowledge of their decline has only recently been documented, however, and the villages and villagers lack the knowledge of how to help maintain or increase populations.

The leading cause of their population decline is hunting by local villagers for meat, with [[habitat loss]] also being significant. One benefit of the lack of knowledge about the legal status of what they are doing is that villagers are open to communication with researchers on their harvests and hunting practices; where awareness of conservation issues has penetrated, villagers will lie about their activities.<ref name=Burton2005/>

Logging is a large issue because both species prefer core forested habitats that are far away from humans and the influences that come with them. By logging, humans create much more fragmented habitats and, therefore, a decrease in the area where the anoa can breed and live. This [[habitat fragmentation]] also alters the natural mixing of populations of the anoa. This may lead to a loss in genetic diversity between the two species and, over time, could also lead to their decline.{{Clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline|Anoa}}
DIET COMPOSITION OF ANOA (''Bubalus'' sp.) STUDIED USING DIRECT OBSERVATION AND DUNG ANALYSIS METHOD IN THEIR HABITAT from https://ejournal.undip.ac.id/index.php/jitaa/article/view/7608/6259

Pujaningsih, R.i., et al. "DIET COMPOSITION OF ANOA (''Bubalus'' sp.) STUDIED USING DIRECT OBSERVATION AND DUNG ANALYSIS METHOD IN THEIR HABITAT." ''Journal of the Indonesian Tropical Animal Agriculture'', vol. 34, no. 3, 2009, doi:10.14710/jitaa.34.3.223-228.

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160124223039/http://www.wildcattleconservation.org/SpeciesFactSheets/bubalus-depressicornis.html Lowland Anoa ''Bubalus depressicornis'' Smith] from [https://web.archive.org/web/20190206225339/http://www.wildcattleconservation.org/ wildcattleconservation.org]

{{Artiodactyla|R.4}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q122848955}}

[[Category:Bubalus]]
[[Category:Mammals of Sulawesi]]
[[Category:Endemic fauna of Indonesia]]