![]() ![]() However, most bovids are some shade of brown. The variety of body coloration of bovids is also extensive, ranging from the predominantly white or very pale, creamy white seen in addax ( Addax nasomaculatus) to the purple-black of adult male Indian gaur and the orange-yellow coat of golden takin ( Budorcas taxicolor bedfordi). The forequarters are either larger than the hind, as in many large species like wild cattle, wildebeest, and tragelaphine antelopes, or the reverse, as in smaller species inhabiting dense tropical forests such as duikers (Cephalophinae).īovids encompass an extremely wide size range, starting with the diminutive dwarf antelopes ( Neotragus), which weigh as little as 4.5 lb (2 kg) and stand 10–12 in (25–30 cm) at the shoulder, with a total body length of 22–24 in (55–62 cm), and ending with Asian water buffalo ( Bubalus bubalis), which weigh as much as 2,600 lb (1,200 kg), and the wild cattle such as gaur ( Bos gaurus), which are up to 85 in (220 cm) at the shoulder, and the yak ( Bos grunniens), whose total length can reach 128 in (325 cm). Physical characteristics Shape, size, and colorīody shape of members of this family varies from relatively small, slender-limbed species such as the gazelles to the massive, stocky wild cattle. Some authors recognize Capricornis as the genus to which serow belong in this case, there would be 47 genera within the Bovidae. ![]() That the horns of at least some specimens had been made from domestic cattle horn. The validity of this latter animal is controversial because DNA evidence has suggested it is related to Antilopinae, to Bovinae, and to Caprinae, and one DNA analysis indicated Not included in these totals are the short-horned water buffalo ( Bubalus mephistopheles) from northeast China, which became extinct in the Shang Dynasty (1800–1200 b.c.), and the controversial "linh duong" ( Pseudonovibos spiralis) from Vietnam and Cambodia. The family Bovidae is comprised of six subfamilies (Antilopinae, Bovinae, Caprinae, Cephalophinae, Hippotraginae, and Neotraginae) with a total of 137 species in 46 genera (sometimes the subfamilies Aepycerotinae, Alcelaphinae, Peleinae, and Reduncinae are recognized). Leptobos and Parabos are the first cattle and are found in early Pliocene deposits from about five million years ago, when the ovibovines also are first known. The first Caprinae probably evolved from Tethytragus found in Europe, with the first fossil sheep, Oioceros, occurring in the late Miocene. Also in the late Miocene, Gazella, probably originating from an ancestor similar to the African Homoiodorcas, became widely distributed throughout Eurasia, and around this same epoch, modern antelopes first appeared in Africa. The boselaphines probably gave rise to the Bovini towards the late Miocene. Boselaphines first appear in the middle Miocene of Africa and Europe, perhaps earlier in Pakistan, and in the late Miocene in China. It is recognized as a bovid by its horn cores, and it also possessed high-crowned cheek teeth typical of modern members of this family. The earliest fossil attributed to the Bovidae is Eotragus, found in 18-million-year-old Miocene deposits from Pakistan. Largely as a result of their rapid diversification, the phylogenetic relationships within the Bovidae are perhaps some of the most difficult to elucidate of all ungulates. This rapid diversification during the Miocene, which resulted in all extant lineages being present by 16–17 million years ago, is supported by estimates based on molecular genetic evidence. However, most agree that members of this family first appear in the fossil record during the Miocene, after which they rapidly diversified and became widely distributed. The high frequency of convergent evolution within these animals suggests that this might not be a monophyletic group.īased on tooth characteristics, some scientists suggest that the first Bovidae can be recognized from the late Oligocene. Their common characteristic is their unbranched, non-deciduous horns. The Bovidae are the largest family within the Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates) and are comprised of six subfamilies, which include antelopes, cattle, duikers, gazelles, goats, and sheep. Number of genera, species 46–47 genera, 137–138 species Evolution and systematics Antelopes, cattle, bison, buffaloes, goats, and sheep I: Kudus, Buffaloes, and Bison II: Hartebeests, Wildebeests, Gemsboks, Oryx, and Reedbucks III: Gazelles, Springboks, and Saiga Antelopes IV: Dikdiks, Beiras, Grysboks, and Steenboks V: Duikers VI: Sheep, Goats, and Relatives ![]()
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