Bos

Bos is a genus of artiodactyl mammals of the family Bovidae; It includes six species generically called oxen, among which are both domestic cattle (Bos primigenius taurus) and other domestic and wild species. Certain authors have differentiated several genera for the species grouped in Bos (Bos, Bibos, Novibos, and Poephagus), but morphological and genetic studies have not yet led to an agreement on this matter. The position that recognizes Bos as the only genus is, however, the majority.

Although throughout history it has been proposed that various species of Bos gave rise to today's domestic livestock, today it can be stated that all breeds descend from a common ancestor, the aurochs (< i>Bos primigenius primigenius), which persisted in the plains of Europe until the XVII century, when it was became extinct due to excessive hunting. The current species are distributed throughout most of the globe, covering Africa, America, Asia, Australia and Europe; With around 1.3 billion individuals, they are one of the most populous groups of mammals on the planet.

Natural history

The habitat of the different species varies widely, including from subtropical grasslands and forests to the high Tibetan mountains where the yak (Bos gruniens) lives.

Species of the genus Bos form herds, the size of which ranges between tens and hundreds of heads, which migrate slowly as they deplete the pastures; The herds usually only have one adult male. They are ruminants, which allows them to extract maximum performance from a diet of grasses rich in cellulose and poor in nutrients; Most species graze for most of the day, resting during the hottest periods, and sleeping at night. Gestation lasts between nine and eleven months, after which one or, exceptionally, two offspring are born. In the wild they can reach 25 years.

Taxonomy

The genus Bos includes species and several subspecies:

• Bos frontalis - gay.
  • Bos frontalis
  • Bos frontalis laosiensis
  • Bos frontalis sinhaleyus
• Bos gaurus - gaur
• Bos javanicus - Banteng
  • Bos javanicus javanicus
  • Bos javanicus lowi
• Bos mutus - yak.
• Bos sauveli - kouprey.
• Bos primigenius - cowboy.
  • Bos primigenius taurus - domestic livestock (toro, cow)
  • Bos primigenius indicus - cebu
  • Bos primigenius primigenius † - uro
• Bos palaesondaicus †