Bovinae

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Bovinae
Fossil range: Miocene to Recent
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 bovines includes a diverse group of 10 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.

In most countries, bovines are used for food. Cows are eaten almost everywhere, except in most parts of India where bovines are considered sacred by most Hindus.

Contents

[edit] Systematics and Classification

[edit] Etymology

Bovine is derived form Latin bos, "ox", through Late Latin bovinus.

[edit] Bibliography

  • 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.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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