The biological subfamily bovines includes a diverse group of 10 species of medium to large sized ungulates, including domestic cattle, Bison, 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 most parts of India, where bovines are considered sacred by Hindus.
Bovine is derived from Latin bos, "ox", through Late Latin bovinus.
Bibliography
International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature. 2003. Opinion 2027 (Case 3010). Usage of 17??? 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.
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