synonymBovidae(collectively referred to as Bovidae) generally refers to Bovidae
BovidaesubfamilyAnd families.The Bovidae, except Bovidae, are collectively referred to ascattle, the sheep families of Sheep subfamily are collectively called Sheep, and others are generally called Sheepantelope。There are 142 wild species.The shoulder height of this family of animals varies greatly, from 25 cm high antelope to 2 m high American bison.Most Bovidae are hermaphroditic.Males always have horns, which are used for ritual fighting during mating season.About 75% of female genera weighing more than 40 kg have horns, while those less than 25 kg usually have no horns.In addition to the dimorphism in morphological characteristics, male odor glands are also more developed than female ones, and odor glands are reduced or non-existent in bovine subfamily.A variety of males and females have horns. The bone core and horn sheath grow for life. The horns are hollow, not bifurcated, and fixed without falling off.Their stomachs have evolved into four chambers:rumen、Beehive stomach、Omasum stomachandGlandular stomach, complete ruminant function.Cattle incisors and canine teeth are degenerated. The anterior molars and molars have high crowns, and the enamel has wrinkles. After the crown is abraded, complex tooth lines are formed on the surface, which is suitable for grazing.
The species of this family are herbivorous or leaf eating animals, which are common in grasslands, shrubbery or desert areas of the Eastern and Western Hemispheres;Most varieties live in large groups;Some of them are of great economic value to mankind.Others, such as bighorn sheep and some antelopes, are hunted for their meat, horns or skins.
Bovidae do not originate from Africa, but are the most prosperous in Africa. Some subfamilies are unique to Africa, and some are not unique to Africa, but they have the most abundant species in Africa.Outside Africa, there are also abundant species of Bovidae in Asia, a few in Europe and North America, and no native Bovidae in South America and Oceania.
Bovidae originated fromMiocene, a hybrid and progressive branch differentiated from the original ancient deerplioceneandthe pleistoceneIn the direction of many complex adaptive radiations, Eurasia was their early development area, and the central and eastern regions of Asia with China as the center were the centers of early cloven hoofed radiation. Many bovine fossils were found in the Pliocene and Pleistocene strata of China, including primitive cattle, buffalo, bison, antelope, and horned antelope.
In the Miocene, the pronghorn appeared in North America, which is a branch differentiated from cattle. They are deer like in shape. They have flat and curved horns that do not fall off, and antler like branching structures. Most of the species have disappeared. The pronghorn still living in the North American continent is the remnant of the pronghorn differentiation, which is considered to be between deer and cattleA type of sheep.[1]
Bovidae began to evolve in Africa about 19 million years ago, and rapidly diversified. In Miocene, 78 genera (now 52 genera) were known.The continental watershed between Africa and Eurasia may be the reason for the early differentiation of "Boodonia" (originating from Eurasia) and "Aegodontia" (continuing to evolve in Africa).The reconnection of the two continental blocks of the Arabian Peninsula (after the two main branches became different) removed this geographical barrier and enabled both groups to expand to each other's homes.[4]
Sheep subfamily was separated from other "Aegodontia" in the early Miocene and appeared in the Eurasian fossil record 18-15 million years ago.Sheep subfamily is excluded from the Eurasian lowland habitat by the dominant deer family (deer), but it can fill the specific niche of alpine habitat.The mountains all over Europe and Asia provided an evolutionary environment for the rapid evolution of goats in the late Miocene.The lack of alpine habitats in Africa (and the rich mountains in Eurasia) explains why this is the only subfamily of Bovidae that is more diverse in Eurasia than in Africa.[6]
Bovidae come from EurasiaMurine deerIt evolved from ancestors."Eotragus" is the earliest known bovine animal, appearing in Asiathe oligocene epochDuring this period, molecular evidence shows that their rapid diversification in the early evolutionary history led to greater genus diversity during the Miocene than today (78 vs 49).Twenty six of the 50 genera are endemic to sub Saharan Africa, representing the most diverse Bovidae assemblage in all continents.At the end of the Pleistocene, the Ice Age forced most Eurasian Bovidae to develop southward.However, some cold adapted speciesBering Land BridgeI came to North America.[2]
There are 8 species in Bovine, including domestic cattle and its ancestorsAboriginal cattleandzebu。There are about 1.1 billion cattle and about 500 breeds in the world. According to their uses, they can be divided into milk breeds, meat breeds, meat and milk breeds, and meat and labor breeds.It is generally believed that the European domestic cattle were artificially raised and bred by the original cattle living in Europe and northern Africa about 7000 years ago. The original cattle were majestic in shape, with a small wattle on the neck and trimmed hair on the top of the head. In the past, there were a lot of domestic cattle. Later, with the massive deforestation, the number gradually decreased, and it was extinct in 1627.The ancestors of Asian family cattle may be zebus living in India. It is not clear whether these two family cattle are the same species, but the family cattle are their descendants and theirhybrid varietyThe common feature is that the cross section of the angle is round, the back is low and flat, and there are 13 pairs of ribs.[1]
Bovidae
morphological character
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sign
The common characteristic of Bovidae is strong physique;Having legs suitable for long-distance running;There are four toes on the feet, but the side toes are more degenerate than deer, and suitable for running.Bovidae show the unique long limbs and unique foot and sole posture of cloven hoofed animals.They are parallel because the symmetry line of the foot is between the third and fourth toes.In addition, the lateral toes of Bovidae are severely reduced or completely missing, and the weight of animals is supported by the remaining central toes.The third and fourth toes of the front and rear feet are completely fused to form a bonemetatarsal bone, metatarsal bone is quite long, and there are four joints between metatarsal bone and proximal phalangeal bonesesamoid bone, acting as the joint stop.ulnaandthe fibulaSignificantly smaller andradiusandtibiaFusion, this structure provides a large angle of flexion and extension, but limits lateral movement.Limb adaptability enables Bovidae to move quickly and effectively in various habitat types, making them effective and good at avoiding predators.Bovine skulls don'tSagittal ridgeA single lacrimal passage usually exists in the skull orbit, the posterior part of the orbit is limited by the posterior orbital bar, and the lacrimal passage has an opening located in the orbit.[5]
Most Bovidae are hermaphroditic. Bovidae have a wide range of sizes, fur colors and patterns.For example, the maximum shoulder height of bison is 3.3 meters and the maximum weight is more than 1000 kilograms, while the maximum shoulder height of blue chamois is 30 centimeters and the maximum weight is 3.5 kilograms.Forest and shrub species often have shorter limbs, more developed hindquarters and concealed fur, which helps them integrate into the surrounding environment.Open habitat species have long forelimbs, which can increase the stride, and occasionally have bright colored patterns or stripes.These adaptations help Bovidae avoid potential predators through various mechanisms of hiding (mysterious colors), escaping (increasing stride) or pseudo visual blurring (striped fur).In addition to the hermaphroditism in morphological characteristics, male odor glands are also more developed than female, and odor glands are reduced or non-existent in bovine subfamily.[2]
stomach
As a member of the suborder Ruminants, Bovidae havecelluloseDecomposing fermentation and digestion of the hallmark multi lumen foregut.In order to store forage and avoid enemies, their stomachs have evolved into four chambers:rumen、Beehive stomach、Omasum stomachandGlandular stomachThe habit of "ruminating" enables food to be better digested and absorbed.[1]
Horn
The remarkable feature of the Bovidae family is that they have unbranched horns.And most will continue to grow.Horn is found in males of all Bovidae and females of some genera (most commonly in large species with adult females weighing more than 40 kg).When both sexes have horns, the male's horns are always thicker and more complex at the base.The horn is permanently attached to the frontal bone of the skull and consists of a bone nucleus covered with a keratin sheath (which never falls off).The air space separates the two layers, so the cattle are usually called "hollow horned ungulates".[1]
Generally, the skulls of male and female animals after 1 year old have a pair of thick horns. The shape of the horns is different from each other, but they are symmetrical bone branches derived from the protrusions of the frontal bone.There is a layer of cutin sheath on the outside, which can be taken off. The inside of the horn is hollow, so it is also called "hole horn". Bovidae are also called because of it“Cave corner”Animals.The horn is not bifurcated, and there is a layer of hard horn sleeve outside. The horn sleeve is hollow, which is set on the horn center of the bone, and expands with the growth of the horn center.Different from the solid horn of deer, the horn of bovine animals has no nerves and blood vessels. After the hole horn is removed, it cannot grow again.In addition to the North American pronghorn, whose horn is bifurcated and horn sets are changed every year, the horn of ordinary cattle stops growing when it grows to a certain extent, and the horn sets are not changed.The four horned antelope is unique in the wild Bovidae, because the male usually has four horns (two pairs);All other genera (except some domestic sheep) have only one pair.More importantly, their angles anddeerClasses are very distinct.[1]
The horns of Bovidae are diversified and appear in a series of fascinating and unique forms, ranging from the curved dagger shape of the wild goat to the thick and corrugated arris of the larger kudu.Male horns used in ritualized combat during the mating season.Male horns are often more complex in design, and are also stronger, straighter, thinner and simpler than female horns.About 75% of female genera with signs over 40 kg have horns, while those with signs less than 25 kg usually have no horns.This may be the result of different life history strategies or the physiological cost of growth angle.Larger species are more likely to resist potential predators, while smaller species tend to escape when threatened.[2]
Dentition
Bovidae are specialized herbivores, and their teeth and limbs reflect the evolution and specialization of open grassland habitats.For example, the teeth of cattle are anterior teeth, and the number of upper canine teeth is reduced or missing, which may be the result of their grazing lifestyle.Bovidian animals do not have upper incisors, but have a tough and thickened tissue area called tooth pad, which provides a function for clamping the surface of plant materials.The lower incisors protrude forward and are connected by modified canine teeth that imitate the incisors.Behind the improved front teeth is a long toothless space, called the tooth space.The canine teeth have degenerated, but the lower incisors are still preserved, and the lower canine teeth have become Yemenized. Three pairs of incisors tilt forward in the shape of a shovel. As they feed on hard plants, the premolar teeth andMolarsIt is a high crown, and the enamel has wrinkles. After the tooth crown is abraded, a complex tooth pattern is formed on the surface, which is suitable for eating grass.Bovidae haveRuminantTypical gear train of: I 0/3C 0/1、P 3/3、M 3/3 x 2 = 32，The upper canines are always missing.[4]
Bovidae
Habitat environment
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Bovidae originally evolved into grassland species, and most of the existing species are animals living on the open grassland.The species richness of Bovidae in the East African prairie is the highest. This family has radiated to fill a variety of niches, leading to extensive changes in teeth and limb morphology.For example, reed antelope and donkey antelope live on river banks and marshes;The species of springbok and oryx live in the desert;Purple antelope and bison occupy dense forest;Wild goats and takins live in high altitude areas;Musk ox only lives in arctic tundra.[2]
Many bovine animals have been domesticated by humans.Although wild relatives of goats and sheep can still be found in their native habitats, domesticated bison are raised on farms in parts of Eurasia.[2]
Life habits
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Clustering
Bovidae are usually classified as solitary, social, territorial or non territorial species.The solitary species are usually small Bovidae, such as dog antelope and mountain antelope.Usually, these animals live in a male female system and maintain a relatively small territory, excluding the same species.Many solitary species use pheromones secreted from preorbital glands to mark territory boundaries, while others use their own feces.Before mating, lonely males often have to compete and win territory.Then the female chooses a mate according to the quality of the territory.In solitary species, offspring are scattered at puberty, seeking mates or establishing their own territories.Usually, these cattle have mysterious or camouflaged fur, which helps them avoid potential predators when hiding under the cover of dense shrubs and vegetation.[2]
Many Bovidae, including most antelopes, buffaloes, bison, cattle, many goats and domestic Bovidae, are social animals and form large groups.In general, cattle consist of females and their offspring, led by a dominant male.Subordinate or sub adult males often gather in small single groups composed of 5-7 animals.The female offspring remained in the herd after maturity, but the male was forced to leave the herd during the development of secondary sexual characteristics (such as buffalo mane).Dispersion will increase the risk of predation, which is why males usually form single groups and their survival rate is lower than females.Therefore, the sex ratio of Bovidae is generally biased towards females.The herd behavior of Bovidae may be an anti predator defense.As the number of individuals in the population increases, the number of eyes scanning potential predators increases, and the average time for animals to scan predators decreases.As a result, the foraging time of all species increased.However, with the increase of population size, the intraspecific competition for food and spouses is also increasing.In social Bovidae, the dominant male can mate with any estrous female in his territory.Occasionally,Satellite maleThey will follow the ethnic group and wait for the dominant male to die or become too old to defend their territory or spouse.Some species, such as the African buffalo, follow a seniority system to determine male dominance.[2]
behavior
Cattle grooming helps keep their fur and skin clean and expel parasites.Some species have lower incisors, which are specially used to comb furs and help remove unwanted debris.Many species also bite the mating male with their lips, while some species, such as cattle, antelopes and many small antelopes, come from me to decorate their fur by licking their fur.In some longhorn cattle, the horns are used to scratch the back and buttocks.Most cattle shake their heads, tails and tread on the ground to remove pests.Buffalos and wildebeests also roll in the mud to help ward off insects.[2]
Cattle are notorious for fighting during the mating season.It is not uncommon for males to use their horns and power in competitive interactions, kicking and swinging their necks.Fighting is rarely fatal, because most strikes are directed at the corners of the opponent's head rather than the body, thus reducing the possibility of fatal injuries.In the male male competition, the opponent may lock or collide with the angle to show strength to force the other male to yield.Most battles take place between individuals of the same size, because opponents who are too small or unable to compete almost immediately retreat.Before physical confrontation, males may evaluate various aspects of each other's appearance.Based on this assessment, the male decides whether to fight or flee.Although the interaction between males during the mating season is violent, injuries are rare.In rare cases, the winner will chase or try to kill the defeated opponent.[2]
Different fighting styles and techniques are used as displays of power, and are as diverse as the animals that use them.Most Bovidae fight by standing on all fours, but some antelopes living in East Africa, including kudu, eland and pronghorn, fight with their knees.Many gazelle species use a series of low-intensity nods to head.In a more intense battle, the gazelle and the oryx will fight each other. In a short distance, they will hit their heads and jump backward.The wild goat and the goat collide with each other by running, standing on their hind legs, and horn collision.[2]
signal
Bovidae members communicate in many different ways.Some species make sounds, while others communicate through different body postures and displays.Although voice communication is limited, mature males may growl or threaten each other with growls and make females know their existence during mating season.Musk ox often growls during male and female mating, and maintains a unique posture to maximize the intensity of the growl.The ventral ventricle is the vocal cord that transforms into a large fat pad during the maturation process. The amplitude of the bellows is increased by adding additional resonance space and guiding sound through a unique pulse structure.The male's posture will affect the way he roars.Other bovine animals use their nasal passages to roar.Male high nosed antelopes shrink and stretch their unique noses, while forcing air through their nostrils to produce growls, which are used to deter other males and attract females.The sound communication between calves and young antelopes and their mothers helps them identify and locate each other when they are apart.[2]
In addition to the communication used to improve the success rate of reproduction and the survival rate of offspring, bovine animals also make sounds to try to resist potential predators.Grunts and growls, much like those used by male competitors, are used to drive away predators and warn members of the group.As we all know, domesticated bovine animals will make noises when they expect food, while Korean native cows will make noises before being fed.[2]
AndprimateUnlike many carnivorous mammals, Bovidae have limited ability to convey information through facial expressions, so they rely heavily on posture display to convey their intentions.When trying to convey dominance or aggression to competitors or lower ranking individuals, most Bovidians make themselves look as big as possible.Slow and stiff movements, occasionally in an upright position with a horizontal tone, are used to show dominance over other animals.Common aggressive behaviors include imitating a fight, staring or shaking their head wildly to express that they feel threatened and ready to fight.Obedient communication involves lowering the head or raising the chin so that the horns rest on the top of the neck.Bovidae usually remain stationary when threatened.In some antelopes, such as impala, kudu and common antelopes, individuals may jump in situ and send potential threat signals to the same animals.[2]
food
Although Bovidae are specialized herbivores, they occasionally supplement their diet with animal products, and their eating strategies are related to their body size.Generally speaking, small Bovidae are solitary and specialized planters who feed in dense and closed habitats, while large Bovidae tend to live in groups and feed in open grassland habitats.As a multifaceted herbivore, the large Bovidae consume high fiber plants, which contain more cellulose and lignin than the diet of forest dwelling species.However, since all Bovidae are specialized herbivores, they support the microbial community (bacteria, protozoa and fungi) in the rumen, which helps to decompose cellulose and lignin and convert high fiber feed into rich energy.[2]
Except for the true stomach or abomasum, all bovine animals have three additional chambers or pseudostomachs in which bacteria ferment.Bovidae digest low-quality (low protein, high fiber) food through four different ways.First, the stomach ferments to extract lipids, proteins and carbohydrates, which are then absorbed by the intestine and distributed throughout the body.Secondly, the undigested large food particles form large lumps or ruminant balls, which are ruminated and chewed again to help break down the cell walls of plant materials.Third, cellulose fermentation and digestion by bacteria will produce high nitrogen microorganisms, which will occasionally be flushed into the intestinal tract and then digested by the host.These high nitrogen microorganisms are important protein sources of Bovidae.Finally, bovine animals can store large amounts of forage in their stomachs for later digestion.All bovine animals ruminate, have four stomachs (one true stomach and three false stomachs) and support cellulose decomposing microorganisms.[2]
Each subfamily of Bovidae has a unique feeding strategy.For example, members of Antelope subfamily are collectors on arid land, and mainly feed on food resources with uneven distribution.Bovidae species rely on scattered and abundant forage and are fresh grass bulk herbivores.The members of Sheep subfamily are more extensive and flexible planters, who can often forage in poor ridges and desolate habitats.Equisetae species are herbivores adapted to drought and usually rely on unstable food supply.Bovidae of Phragmatidae are valley herbivores, which rely on rich and unstable food supply.Unlike most other Bovidae, the members of the Oryx subfamily are mainly fruit eaters. They will follow the primates who live on the crown of trees to collect fallen fruits.[2]
natural enemy
Bovidae are an important food source for various natural enemies. In eastern and southern Africa, Bovidae are the main food source for many carnivorous species, including lions and cheetahs.On the African continent, almost all bovine animals are vulnerable to lions andLycaon pictus However, sub adult, elderly and sick bovine animals are particularly vulnerable.LeopardSpotted hyena, CheetahNile crocodileFish andCanis adustus It is also the main predator of small cattle.In North America, Bovidae are easilyGray wolf、Brown bearandPumaPredation.Wolves and adult bears are usually the only carnivores capable of killing the largest Bovidae in North America, such as the American bison.In the Asian continent, gray wolves and tigers are the natural enemies of cattle.LeopardIndian jackalandSwamp alligatorCattle can also be used as prey.somewhatkomodo dragon Examples of eating goats and even buffaloes.Many carnivores, such as wild dogs and large cats, are notorious for hunting domestic animals, including domestic goats, sheep and cattle.[2]
Bovidae are powerful opponents, able to fight their predators unbelievably.The strength in quantity, dangerous horns, powerful kicking and speed, in some cases, the huge size is enough to prevent most predatory attempts.Musk cows form a tight protective ring around their calves, forming an impenetrable wall against potential predators.Buffalos will charge with horns and kill lions.Many species of Bovidae are extremely fast and use their speed to defeat predatory hunters.Bovidae living in the forest, such as the purple antelope, have a mysterious coat of fur, which helps camouflage themselves in the densely vegetated habitat.[2]
symbiosis
Many Bovidae and other animals haveSymbiotic relationship。Cattle egretandoxpecker They often live in many Bovidae and feed on insects and parasites that feed on Bovidae, or insects and small animals that are forced to hide due to movement and grazing.In addition to removing pests, symbiotic species can also remind them of the existence of predators.Bovidae also form loose interspecies with zebras, giraffes, ostriches and other large herbivores, which increases the time for predator detection.[2]
Although Bovidae can host a variety of pathogens and protozoa together with anaerobic fungi, these organisms are one of the main reasons for the richness and diversity of Bovidae.Bacteria contribute to the decomposition of cellulose, accounting for 60% to 90% of the microbial community in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of bovine animals.Ciliated protozoa account for 10% to 40% of the microbial community in the rumen, helping bacteria to decompose cellulose, and also feeding on starch, protein and bacteria.Since the early 1970s, people have known that there are anaerobic fungi in the rumen.These fungi account for 5% to 10% of the rumen microbial abundance and are believed to contribute to the decomposition of the cell wall of plant materials.Bacteria and protozoa from the upper region of the gastrointestinal tract to the lower region account for a large part of the host's dietary nitrogen requirements.[2]
Distribution range
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Although the greatest diversity of Bovidae occurs in Africa, Bovidae are also found in parts of Europe, Asia and North America.Many bovine species, especially those domesticated for survival, have been introduced globally, including Australia and South America.[2]
Distribution map of Bovidae
Reproductive mode
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Most Bovidae are polygynous, and in some species, males show delayed maturation.For example, the male eland does not reach sexual maturity until 4 years old, while the female begins to reproduce actively between 1.5 and 2.5 years old.Sex dimorphism is more common in large and medium-sized Bovidae, especially in members of Phragmatidae.Generally speaking, males of sexual dimorphic cloven hoofed animals are more sexually active than females in their later years, which may be due to the competition for the right of spouse between males.In some species, males may compete and defend territory, which gives them the right to reproduce with females living in each territory.It is not uncommon for the territory male to try to prevent the resident female from leaving (e.g. impala).Or, the males of other species fight and defend the small female group called their own "harem".Adult males who successfully defend the harem usually breed with each member of the group to improve reproductive health there.Some cattle will also form a mating field, that is, a small group of male animals, who will fight for territory or mating rights in the same field.Successful males gain the right to occupy high-quality habitats, so they can mate with more high-quality females.Once an individual gains the right to a territory, he or she will protect his or her territory and the females in it.For example, the area protected by male waterbuck is less than 0.5 square kilometers, and the area protected by donkey antelope and Uganda red waterbuck is about 15-30 square meters.Some species live in large groups of males and females, where males compete for mating opportunities (e.g. buffalo).This behavior is common among members of the Equisetae.[2]
In addition to the one male polygynous mating system, some Bovidae are monogamous. In these species, mate competition between males is not common.Therefore, the selection of large males is reduced, resulting in little or no sex dimorphism in one male and one female bovine animals.For example, the female dog antelope is lonely and maintains a large territory.Therefore, male dog antelope cannot protect more than one mate at the same time physically, resulting in one male and one female system.Male competition is unlikely to lead to monomorphism between sexes unless there is a surplus of unmated males.In fact, in some one male and one female bovine animals, such as oryx and chamois, the female is slightly larger, which may be the result of high-quality territorial competition to raise offspring.[2]
All Bovidae can detect female oestrus, except for Takin and Takin horn.The male will sample the urine of the potential spouse, and the high level of sexual hormone in urine indicates that the female is approaching the estrus period.The male then continues courtship in an attempt to obtain a mate.Usually, courtship begins with foreleg kicking, chest compression, and finally mating.Females usually only mount at the peak of estrus.[2]
Bovidae usually breed in autumn or rainy season.The estrus period is usually short, usually lasting less than a few days, but longer in non territorial species.Compared with other mammal families, Bovidae give birth to a calf after a relatively long gestation period.For example, the gestation period of gazelle is 120-150 days, while that of African buffalo is 300-330 days.Calves are usually born at the same time every spring, when there are abundant forage resources.Adult females return to estrus within one to two months after childbirth.Known as the nurturing bond, males of non territorial species usually form temporary and exclusive ties with individual females.The gestation period of bovine animals ranges from 6 months for smaller species to 8-9 months for larger species. Some smaller bovine animals can reproduce every two years.Usually a well bred and precocious baby will be born, but twins are not uncommon.The average birth weight varies from species to species.For example, the weight of the young dog antelope is between 0.5-0.8 kg, and the weight of the newborn oryx is between 23-31 kg.In many social species, young can stand and run within an hour of birth.[2]
Like all mammalian mammals, Bovidae are placental mammals that feed their offspring with milk.Therefore, females are obliged to provide parental care.In a polygamous bovine, the female provides all parental care without the help of the male.In one male and one female bovine animals such as chamois, males often protect their young.Royal island antelope may be weaned within 2 months after birth, which is the shortest lactation period, while musk ox may be weaned at the age of one year, which is the longest lactation period.[2]
As young animals, Bovidae can be divided into hiding people or followers.In hidden species, females hide their newborn babies. During this period, mothers usually hunt nearby and watch out for potential predators.The female will return to her cub several times a day for feeding.After breast-feeding, the cub found a new hiding place nearby.If the species is also social, when the population moves, the young will run in front of their mother and hide until their mother passes, and then the calf will run forward and hide again.Depending on the species, the mother of a cub with a similar age may form a population of 2-10 females, which may last until the cub is 1 week to 2 months old.In the following species, the young will join the group immediately or within two days after birth.The newborn wildebeest cubs snuggle up with their mother, and this pair has joined a breeding group of a larger ethnic group.The female impala leaves the group to give birth, and the young will rejoin their group within 1-2 days.After returning, the young will form a small brood group, which will be guarded by the female group.Some species show group defense against young or young population.Both males and females surround the young, protecting them from predators.In many social species, females remain in the group, while males often disperse after independence.[2]
The longevity of Bovidae varies greatly.The average life span of some domesticated species is 10 years, up to 28 years for males and 22 years for females.For example, domesticated goats can live to 17 years, but the average life span is 12 years.Most wild Bovidae live for 10-15 years, and larger species tend to live longer.For example, American bison can live for 25 years, and bison can live for 30 years.In a polygynous species, the life span of males is usually shorter than that of females.This may be due to male competition and loneliness of sexual dimorphic males, which make them more vulnerable to predation.[2]
Subordinate classification
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Family and Genus
Aepycerotinae:There is only one genus and one species, namely Takin.One of the antelopes, which belongs to the small and medium-sized Bovidae, has no obvious difference from other antelopes and is characterized by long horns.In addition, the running speed is extremely fast, so it is also called Flying Antelope.[2]
Alcelaphinae:It is a large antelope that is good at running. It is specially produced in Africa. Its horns are bent like horns of an ox, and its physique is strong.The most famous of the Serinae is the impala（Connochaetes taurinus）, also known as wildebeest, is widely distributed in East Africa and South Africa. It is one of the most common large animals in Africa. It often appears on television and has the habit of migrating with the seasons.And the white tailed wildebeest in South Africa（Connochaetes gnou）The wild ones have been extinct, and only some in the semi wild state have survived.Serinae is sometimes included as a tribe in Equisetae.[2]
Antilopinae)：It is a small and medium-sized antelope and can be divided intoAntelope tribe(Antilopini）Hexin Xiaoling（Neotragini）They are also often regarded as independent subfamilies.Antelopes are mainly distributed in Africa, including springbok（Antidorcas marsupialis）And Tang's gazelle（Gezella thomsoni）It is one of the most common antelopes in Africa. Like the impala, it can form the largest herd in the world.Some members of Antelope Tribe are distributed in Asia, among which there is Procapra in China（Procapra）3 species and gooseneck antelope（Gezella subgutturosa)。The new small antelope are some very small antelopes, among which the royal island antelope（Neotragus pygmaeus）It is the smallest antelope and one of the smallest cloven hoofed species.In addition to the extreme size, the new small antelope has large eyes and small horns, and is native to Africa.[2][5]
Bovinae)：Gender dimorphismIt is very common in this subfamily. In some species, males weigh almost twice as much as females.Cattle have played an important role in human cultural evolution, because many species in this subfamily have been domesticated to make a living.It is a relatively widespread subfamily and one of the only two subfamilies that can be seen outside Africa and Asia, but its distribution center is still in Africa and southern Asia, among which there are new species found in Southeast Asia.Bovine subfamily is stout, including the largest member of horned species, and is not good at running.Bovidae can be divided into Bovidae（Bovini）, Blue Bull Antelope（Boselaphini）Hesouling（Tragelaphini)。[2][4]
Cattle tribeIncluding 6 existing genera, many of which have been domesticated intolivestock: Bovine（Bos）It is the largest genus of the cattle tribe. The distribution of wild species is currently limited to the southern and southeastern parts of Asia, from the Qinghai Tibet Plateau in the north to Java in the south, including yaks（Bos mutus）It lives in the Qinghai Tibet Plateau, and other existing members of the genus Bovine live in tropical forests and woodlands except livestock.Buffalo（Bubalus）Buffalo only（Bubalus bubalis）Some people have divided into different species and have been domesticated into domestic animals, while others live in a few areas in South Asia and Southeast Asia.The genus Buffalo once reached northern China in prehistory.Bubalus（Anoa）It is the smallest member of the cattle tribe. There are three species, which are distributed in Sulawesi Island in Indonesia and Mindoro Island in the Philippines.African bison（Syncerus）African bison only（Syncerus caffer）, distributed in the savannah and forest areas south of the Sahara Desert in Africa, is the only animal of the genus Bos in Africa, and some people separate the Congo wild buffalo from the tropical rainforest（Syncerus nanus）They are different in appearance and habits.Bison（Bison）It is a member of the subfamily Bovidae distributed outside Africa and Asia, including the American bison and the European bison. The European bison is rare and now in a semi wild state. The American bison was once the largest large animal in the Americas, but it was almost killed and recovered after protection.[16]
Blue Bull AntelopeIt is a specialty of South Asia, including Blue Bull Antelope（Boselaphus tragocamelus）And four horned antelope（Tetracerus quadricornis）There are two kinds of antelope. The blue antelope is the largest antelope in Asia, and the four horned antelope is the only one with four horns.The Seru tribe is a special product of Africa, among which the Takashi antelope（Taurotragus derbianus）The largest antelope in the world. It is about the size of a cow. The purple antelope（Boocercus euryceros）It is the largest and most beautiful forest antelope.[2][4]
Caprinae)：Bovidae is a subfamily with the most extensive distribution and the most complex members. The members differ greatly in size and habits, and can be divided into several different families. The division method is controversial.Sheep subfamily mostly lives in highlands and mountains. Its distribution center is in the hinterland of Asia, and it can also be seen in Europe and North America, while in Africa, where Bovidae is the most abundant, it can only be seen in the northern region.It is one of the most successful subfamilies of Bovidae. Their success is attributed to a specialized form of mountain habitat, which gives the flexibility of alpine biological communities.Sheep subfamily species tend to be medium-sized ungulates with compact form, thick legs, robust nature and tolerance to extreme temperatures in mountainous environments.[2][6]
High nosed antelope(Saigini）Members have bulging noses, suitable for fast running.The high nosed antelope tribe includes the high nosed antelope distributed in Central Asia and the Tibetan antelope distributed in the Qinghai Tibet Plateau. Both of them can form a large antelope group comparable to Africa. However, the former has been caught because of the medicinal value of the antelope horn and has become extinct in China. The latter has been killed for producing high-quality cashmere, becoming increasingly endangered.[6]
Sheep and cattle tribe(Ovibovini）The members are stocky like cattle, with long hair and adapt to cold life. There are two kinds of musk ox. The musk ox is the northernmost ungulates distributed in the Arctic. The takin, also known as takin, is distributed in the mountains of southwest China and neighboring countries.[6]
Zebra tribe（Naemorhedini）The body is slightly like an antelope, and most of them live in the eastern and southeastern mountains of Asia. For example, the iguana, also called Sumen antelope, is a common large animal in the mountains of southern China and Southeast Asia. The zebra is widely distributed in China, and can also be seen in the suburbs of Beijing.There are two species of antelopes distributed outside Asia, of which the wild antelope is distributed in Europe and the Near East, and the snow sheep is distributed in the northwest of North America. Some people also put these two species of antelopes outside Asia into the sheep tribe.[6]
Sheep(Caprini）There are 4 genera, all of which are animals very adapted to mountain life: Sheep（Ovis）It is the most widely distributed sheep, which can be seen in the mountains of Eurasia and North America. It is characterized by large horns and spirals, among which livestock sheep（Ovis aries）It is widely raised for its wool production. It is a red argali sheep in central and western Asia（Ovis orientalis）It may be the wild ancestor of domestic sheep, argali sheep produced in China（Ovis ammon）It is the largest type of sheep.Goat（Capra）Characterized by whiskers under the mouth, it is mainly distributed in the mountains of Eurasia, and also in the Ximin sheep（Capra walie）Ximin, distributed in Ethiopia, Africa, is one of the only two kinds of wild sheep in Africa, and its number is very rare.Ximin sheep is often regarded as a sheep（Capra ibex）It is also called North Goat. It is widely distributed in northwest China.Livestock goat（Capra hircus）It is more tolerant of harsh environment than sheep, and has been spread to all parts of the world. Its ancestors may be the wild goats in the middle east（Capra aegagrus)。Another kind of Asian sheep in Africa is wild sheep（Ammotragus lervia）It is a single species of the wild sheep genus, distributed in North Africa. The male sheep has long whiskers under the neck.There are two genera of wild sheep, which are special products of Asia（Pseudois）There are two species of blue sheep, which are distributed in the southwest and southwest of China and some mountains in Central Asia. The Japanese blue sheep is a newly recognized species, and is endemic to southwest China.Thar sheep（Hemitragus）There are three species, the male is covered with long hair, distributed in the mountains of South Asia and Southwest Asia, and the Himalayan Thar sheep is also found in the southernmost part of Tibet, China.[6]
Cephalophinae)：It is a special product of Africa. It is mainly a small antelope adapted to forest life. It is cautious and timid, and will burrow into the trees in case of danger.Some neon antelopes have beautiful patterns.[2]
Hippotraginae)：It is a large antelope, mainly produced in Africa, and a few can be seen in the Middle East. It was widely distributed in prehistory.Equisetae is divided into Equisetae（Hippotragini）Heweiling（Reduncini）, the Malu nationality is large and slightly like a horse, with long horns. Some species adapt to life in arid areas, among which the Arabian horned antelope（Oryx oryx）Distributed in the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula and Iraq, it is a member of the Equisetae distributed in Asia.Reed antelope are mostly distributed in water rich areas, and some species have good water quality, such as waterbuck（Kobus ellipsiprymnus）And donkey antelope（Kobus leche)。The Weiling tribe sometimes forms a single subfamily.[2]
