Bovinae

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Bovinae
Water Buffalo
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Bovidae Subfamily: Bovinae Gray, 1821
Tribes
Bovini Boselaphini Strepsicerotini

The biological subfamily Bovinae (or bovines) includes a diverse group of about 24 species of medium-sized to large ungulates, including domestic cattle, Bison, the Water Buffalo, the Yak, and the four-horned and spiral-horned antelopes. The evolutionary relationship between the members of the group is obscure, and their classification into loose tribes rather than formal sub-groups reflects this uncertainty. General characteristics include a cloven hoof and usually at least one of the sexes of a species having a true horn.

The Boselaphini or four-horned antelope tribe are the last survivors of a form very similar to that of the ancestors of the entire subfamily. Both species have relatively primitive anatomical and behavioural characteristics and the females have no horns. They are native to the rapidly diminishing forests of India, and tend to avoid open plains. The Nilgai has been introduced into southern Texas where a population of a little under 10,000 animals provides some long-term insurance for its survival.

The Bovini tribe is made up of large to very large grazers, including large animals of great economic significance to humans in Domestic Cattle, Water Buffalo, and the Yak, as well as smaller Asian relatives, and large free-roaming bovids in the African Buffalo and the American Bison.

Where the Boselaphini and Bovini are mostly Asian, members of the Strepsicerotini tribe, the spiral-horned antelopes, are found only on the continent of Africa. This group tends to large size, a lighter build, longer necks and considerable sexual dimorphism. Seven of the 9 species are of conservation concern, being classified as lower-risk, conservation dependent, the remaining two, the Common Eland and the Giant Eland are secure.

In most countries, bovines are used for food. Cows are eaten almost everywhere, except in India where bovines are considered sacred by most Hindus. Some of the largest cattle breeding areas in the United States are Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas.

• FAMILY BOVIDAE
  • Subfamily Bovinae
    • Tribe Boselaphini
      • Genus Tetracerus
        • Four-horned Antelope, Tetracerus quadricornis
      • Genus Boselaphus
        • Nilgai or Blue Bull (not to be confused with the extinct Bluebuck), Boselaphus tragocamelus
    • Tribe Bovini
      • Genus Bubalus
        • Water Buffalo, Bubalus bubalus
        • Lowland Anoa, Bubalus depressicornis
        • Mountain Anoa, Bubalus quarlesi
        • Tamaraw, Bubalus mindorensis
      • Genus Bos
        • Aurochs, Bos primigenius (extinct)
        • Banteng, Bos javanicus
        • Gaur, Bos gaurus
        • Gayal, Bos frontalis (domestic gaur)
        • Yak, Bos mutus
        • Domestic Cattle, Bos taurus
        • Kouprey, Bos sauveli
      • Genus Pseudonovibos
        • Kting Voar, Pseudonovibos spiralis
      • Genus Pseudoryx
        • Saola, Pseudoryx nghetinhensis
      • Genus Syncerus
        • African Buffalo, Syncerus caffer
      • Genus Bison
        • American Bison, Bison bison
        • Wisent, Bison bonasus
        • Steppe Wisent, Bison priscus (extinct)
    • Tribe Strepsicerotini
      • Genus Tragelaphus (antelope-like)
        • Sitatunga, Tragelaphus spekeii
        • Nyala, Tragelaphus angasii
        • Bushbuck, Tragelaphus scriptus
        • Mountain Nyala Tragelaphus buxtoni
        • Lesser Kudu, Tragelaphus imberbis
        • Greater Kudu, Tragelaphus strepsiceros
        • Bongo, Tragelaphus eurycerus
      • Genus Taurotragus
        • Common Eland, Taurotragus oryx
        • Giant Eland, Taurotragus derbianus
  • Subfamily Cephalophinae: duikers, 19 species in 2 genera
  • Subfamily Hippotraginae: grazing antelopes. 23 species in 11 genera
  • Subfamily Antilopinae: gazelles, dwarf antelopes and the Saiga, 38 species in 14 genera
  • Subfamily Caprinae: sheep, goats, Musk Ox and allies
  • Subfamily Panthalopinae: Chiru

The term "bovine," in some cultures, is considered extremely vulgar when used as an insult (i.e., "You bovine!").

[edit] See also

• Bovid hybrid
• Geier Hitch

[edit] References

• International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature. 2003. Opinion 2027 (Case 3010). Usage of 17ΔбГ specific names based on wild species which are pre-dated by or contemporary with those based on domestic animals (Lepidoptera, Osteichthyes, Mammalia): conserved. Bull.Zool.Nomencl., 60:81-84.