Abstract: We sequenced mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region (D-loop) sequence in 22 individuals from 5 Chinese buffalo local breeds/populations. Combined with other published data, we studied the matrilineal components of China buffalo based on the sequence variations. Fifty seven D-loop partial sequence haplotypes with 71 polymorphic sites were detected among 152 individuals. After phylogenetic analyses, all Chinese buffaloes could be divided into haplogroup A and haplogroup B; In haplogroup B, 2 sub-haplogroups were further discerned. Compared with haplogroup B, haplogroup A could represent a predominant matrilineal origin. We could not detect obvious breeds/populations specific haplotypes. The 10 swamp buffaloes (Carabao) from Brazil had been closely clustered into haplogroup A, which suggested there is some direct connection between haplogroup A of Chinese buffalo and outside gene pool. The genetic diversity of Chinese buffalo was relatively low compared with cattle and yak.