evolution and domestication of livestock Flashcards
1
Q
all domestic cattle descended from
A
aurochs (bos primigenius)
2
Q
two species of domestic cattle
A
taurine (bos taurus)
zebu (bos indicus)
3
Q
ancestor of aurochs
A
bos acutifrons
4
Q
oldest auroch remains found in
A
india
5
Q
3 subspecies of aurochs
A
indian, eurasian and north african
6
Q
indian aruochs
A
bos primigenius namadicus
first subspecies
gave rise to zebu
7
Q
eurasian aurochs
A
- bos primigenius primigenius
- declining number due to excessive hunting
- used for spectator arena sports in roman empire
- gave rise to modern taurine breeds
- extinction quickened by diseases from domestic cattle
- hunting aurochs was privilege of noble and royal
- poaching was punishable by death
8
Q
north african aurochs
A
- bos primigenius afircanus
- descended from eurasian auroch pops that migrated from middle east
9
Q
old cows compared to modern cows
A
- legs were longer and thinner
- skull was larger and elongated with larger horns
- large neck and shoulders
- front was bigger than the back
10
Q
two domestication events
A
indian aurochs; zebu
eurasian aurochs; taurine (turkey and iraq)
11
Q
zebu
A
- hump at shoulders
- droopy ears
- heat tolerant
- drought and low feed tolerant
- hardy
- tolerance for parasites and disease
12
Q
taurine
A
- flat back
- ears more upright
13
Q
dairy breeds of taurine
A
holstein, jersey, guernsey
14
Q
beef breeds of taurine
A
angus, hereford, belgian blue, charolais
15
Q
what were the first livestock species to be domesticated
A
sheep and goats
