Bovinae

Bovinae

Bovinae (/boʊˈvaɪniː/), also known as cattle or bovines, is a subfamily of the family Bovidae (the true antelopes, gazelles, sheep, goats, and cattle), and the order Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates).

Etymology

The term "Bovinae" originates from the Latin word "bos", meaning "cow". The suffix "-inae" is a standard denotation used in biological taxonomy to indicate a subfamily.

Description

Bovinae includes three tribes: the Bovini (cattle, bison, and yaks), the Boselaphini (nilgai and four-horned antelope), and the Strepsicerotini (spiral-horned antelopes). Bovines are characterized by a robust body, a large size, and a slow rate of reproduction. They are herbivores, feeding on grass and other plant material.

Related Terms

• Bovidae: The family to which Bovinae belongs. It includes other subfamilies such as Caprinae (goats, sheep) and Antilopinae (gazelles, springboks).
• Artiodactyla: The order of mammals to which Bovinae belongs. It includes other families such as Cervidae (deer) and Suidae (pigs).
• Bovini: One of the tribes within the Bovinae subfamily. It includes species such as cattle, bison, and yaks.
• Boselaphini: Another tribe within the Bovinae subfamily. It includes species such as the nilgai and the four-horned antelope.
• Strepsicerotini: The third tribe within the Bovinae subfamily. It includes the spiral-horned antelopes.

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