Hi ruff, RyaRod and hensbyshenhouse,
OK, have finished reading "The origin evolution history and distrubution of domestic fowl part 3 the Gallus species by W.J. Plant (1986)".
On Malay bone marrow, it strikes me that W.J. Plant does distance himself a little from the theory.
Quote:
Unfortunately I do not have the same supportive evidence on the bone structure of the "runner", the
Malay, so that at this point of time we must take Finsterbusch's word for it. I have no reasons myself to
disbelieve him.
One thing I find interesting is the idea that the feather footed Asian breeds may have their own ancestor species as well.
Quote:
I would suggest that the Asiatics (Cochin, Brahma, Langshan) be considered as a separate species and I would also suggest for want of a better name they be called Gallus pluma cruris referring to "feather of the leg, shank or shin"
My overall impression from W.J. Plant's description of fowls in China is that there are a collection of traits (possibly including bone marrow) in the local chicken populations. Some think that the mix of traits in village chickens are remnants of extinct "pure' varieties or species. I am inclined to think that such varieties only exist when people assemble these traits and select for them consciously or unconsciously.
Cheers