Talk:Bovidae

This is the talk page for discussing improvements to the Bovidae article.
This is not a forum for general discussion of the article's subject.

Put new text under old text. Click here to start a new topic.
New to Wikipedia? Welcome! Learn to edit; get help.

Article policies

Find sources: Google (books · news · scholar · free images · WP refs) · FENS · JSTOR · TWL

Bovidae has been listed as one of the Natural sciences good articles under the good article criteria. If you can improve it further, please do so. If it no longer meets these criteria, you can reassess it.
Review: April 28, 2015. (Reviewed version).

This article is written in British English, which has its own spelling conventions (colour, travelled, centre, defence, artefact, analyse) and some terms that are used in it may be different or absent from other varieties of English. According to the relevant style guide, this should not be changed without broad consensus.

Grysbok images, please!

I am looking for appropriate (i.e. copyright-free) images to use in the articles Northern Grysbok and Southern Grysbok. Can anyone help, please? Thanks—GRM 19:51, 6 February 2007 (UTC) Done — some time ago and not by me—GRM 18:41, 23 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

contradiction in page

the first few lines say that bovids are not native to south america, but a link further down refers to a page that says that llamas are native to south america. 74.100.227.23 14:36, 4 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Both these statements are true; llamas are not bovids. Anaxial (talk) 11:55, 18 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]

GA Review

This review is transcluded from Talk:Bovidae/GA1. The edit link for this section can be used to add comments to the review.

Reviewer: Gug01 (talk · contribs) 22:11, 3 April 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Rate	Attribute	Review Comment
1. Well-written:
	1a. the prose is clear, concise, and understandable to an appropriately broad audience; spelling and grammar are correct.
	1b. it complies with the Manual of Style guidelines for lead sections, layout, words to watch, fiction, and list incorporation.
2. Verifiable with no original research:
	2a. it contains a list of all references (sources of information), presented in accordance with the layout style guideline.
	2b. reliable sources are cited inline. All content that could reasonably be challenged, except for plot summaries and that which summarizes cited content elsewhere in the article, must be cited no later than the end of the paragraph (or line if the content is not in prose).
	2c. it contains no original research.
3. Broad in its coverage:
	3a. it addresses the main aspects of the topic.
	3b. it stays focused on the topic without going into unnecessary detail (see summary style).	~~The classification section should be made into a list, maybe List of bovid genera? At any rate, it has no point in the article and on top of that, looks ugly.~~
	4. Neutral: it represents viewpoints fairly and without editorial bias, giving due weight to each.
	5. Stable: it does not change significantly from day to day because of an ongoing edit war or content dispute.
6. Illustrated, if possible, by media such as images, video, or audio:
	6a. media are tagged with their copyright statuses, and valid non-free use rationales are provided for non-free content.
	6b. media are relevant to the topic, and have suitable captions.	~~Why so many images towards the end? There is no point of having fifty photos in the article! Please remove them.~~
	7. Overall assessment.	Nice article. Sorry I delayed, and I think its worth being a GA.

Gug, higher level taxon and species level articles always have lists of their members. Please look at other passed GAs before reviewing. In general, before reviewing an article, look at similar passed GAs and their reviews before. FunkMonk (talk) 16:26, 6 April 2015 (UTC)[reply]

True, but what about the photos? I don't see need for all those photos in the article since some of them are just specific to a species. Gug01 (talk) 21:39, 6 April 2015 (UTC)[reply]

That is a different issue, which I have no strong opinion about. My point was simply, that one needs to familiarise oneself with GA and FA precedents, to see what the norms are. FunkMonk (talk) 22:43, 6 April 2015 (UTC)[reply]

If you like, I can try to "oversee" this review, and give suggestions, Gug. That should prepare for future reviews. For now, it is good to read the article thoroughly and bring up any issues you come across, point by point. FunkMonk (talk) 08:42, 7 April 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Other Third paragraph in Introduction: Most bovids are polygynous, and males become sexually mature much after the females do.All bovids mate at least once a year, and smaller species may even mate twice. Spacing between sentences.

Hi Gug! My apologies for such a delay - had a problem with web connectivity. I have removed much of the photos - have retained only a few showing a few subfamilies. Sentence issue resolved. Let me know about any other issues. Sainsf <^>_{Talk all words} 12:54, 16 April 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Also: Consisting of 143 extant species and 300 known extinct species, the family Bovidae consists of eight major subfamilies apart from the disputed Peleinae and Pantholopinae. The family evolved some 20 million years ago, in the early Miocene. I suggest hyperlinking extant since some readers may not understand the word. Also suggest the removal of "some" to say: The family evolved 20 million years ago.

Done. Sainsf <^>_{Talk all words} 05:11, 17 April 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Problematic introduction

The article’s introduction makes the claim that “All bovids have the similar basic form ...a pair of horns....” There is no acknowledgment that bovids with multiple pairs of horns (2 or occasionally 3 pairs) also occur. The article claims that “Gestational period is longer for bovids as compared to other mammalian families.” But Is the reader supposed to believe that it is longer than for equids? proboscids? eschrichtiids? The article states that “Most newborn calves remain hidden for a week to two months, regularly nursed by their mothers”, but there is no mention that some bovid neonates are followers, rather than hiders. The article generalizes that “males become sexually mature much after the females do”. However, in some bovids, the female’s first estrus can be delayed until the second year, while the males are capable of breeding before the end of the first year. The article claims that “Mating seasons occur during the rainy months”; however, at mid- to high latitudes, most sheep tend to be short-day breeders, regardless of when rainy seasons occur. The article states “The Bovidae include three of the five domesticated mammals whose use has spread outside their original ranges, namely cattle, sheep, and goats.” It is not clear why the water buffalo, whose use has spread outside its original ranges, should be omitted. Also, reference to five is problematic. Elsewhere the article identifies the other two as the horse and pig, ignoring the use of donkeys, dromedaries and dogs that has spread outside of their original ranges. (in addition, some might acknowledge the South American camelids now used outside their original range, e.g. about 76,086 llamas and 140,601 alpacas in the US recently. Some revision would seem desirable, with verification and citations using credible sources. Schafhirt (talk) 17:43, 21 June 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for discussing these issues. This will help in improvement prior to FAC.

So the first point is about number of horns. I found out about the four-horned antelope and Jacob sheep so I am including them as examples.
Families - Yes it's vague... I have made removed it.
Followers, not hiders - added
Sexual maturity- amended
Mating seasons - source needed
Number of domesticated mammals - I guess the number must be omitted and only those animals be mentioned which are unanimously accepted as domesticated ones and now reaching beyond their original ranges. So South American camelids can not be included due to its vague support.
And do you think the existing sources are dubious?
If you have sources to support claims you have made here (e.g. about water buffalo) then please put forth those. Sainsf <^>_{Talk all words} 04:44, 17 January 2016 (UTC)[reply]

The camelid figures (140,601 alpacas and 76,086 llamas) in the US are from the US Census of Agriculture 2012, Table 34. However, omitting a specific number of domesticated animals that have spread outside their original range obviates mentioning these.

Regarding the mating season in sheep at mid- to high latitudes and its control by daylength effects (not by rainy months), there is a considerable literature. A reasonably comprehensive review is that of

Rosa, H.J.D. and Bryant, M.J., 2003. Seasonality of reproduction in sheep. Small Ruminant Research, 48(3), pp.155-171.

who describe goats and sheep as "short-day breeders", noting that most sheep breeds commence breeding in summer or early autumn (p.156); they discuss the role of melatonin in the onset of the estrous season and of the thyroid in termination of the estrous season. Schafhirt (talk) 03:28, 18 January 2016 (UTC)[reply]

@Schafhirt: I have added the data about reproduction in sheep and goats.

Domestication

@Chiswick Chap: Could you please help here, there is some trouble in the "Domesticated animals" section : The Bovidae include three of the five domesticated mammals... and Bali cattle (from the banteng) and Schafhirt has some information and suggestions about it. Sainsf <^>_{Talk all words} 06:33, 7 February 2016 (UTC)[reply]

I've had a go: it seems to me that nothing very much was wrong, so I hope I haven't missed the point. Chiswick Chap (talk) 08:32, 7 February 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Chiswick Chap Looks better. Is it possible to include the figures Schahirt has provided? I am a bit confused about it. Sainsf <^>_{Talk all words} 16:33, 9 February 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Where are these figures? Who's Schafhirt? Chiswick Chap (talk) 17:28, 9 February 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Look at the section just above, I guess you missed it. Sainsf <^>_{Talk all words} 18:15, 9 February 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Hadn't occurred to me to look there, I looked at the article... we can't use any such figures without sources. I don't have the paper he mentions, but that looks like a reliable source. Chiswick Chap (talk) 19:41, 9 February 2016 (UTC)[reply]

OK, it is fine as long as the presently stated data has been properly sourced. Sainsf <^>_{Talk all words} 08:27, 10 February 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Anatomy

This section mentions numbers of lung lobes, but does not call attention to the third (tracheal) bronchus. Also, variation of body temperature is mentioned in relation to goats, but also occurs in sheep, and the connection of this to anatomy is not indicated. The variation in body temperature while maintaining virtually constant brain temperature is permitted by shunting cooled venous blood from the nasal membranes to the cavernous sinus penetrated by a carotid rete, which serves as a heat exchanger, cooling blood flowing to the brain. Schafhirt (talk) 18:43, 21 June 2015 (UTC)[reply]

Only that information has been included which could be sourced, and I assure you that I have made all efforts to include maximum information but remaining within the criterion of verifiability. But if you do have credible sources supporting your claims then please put them forth. Sainsf <^>_{Talk all words} 05:01, 17 January 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Mentions and discussions of the third bronchus (aka tracheal bronchus, cranial bronchus) in bovids (e.g. ox, sheep, goat), and more generally, in cetartiodactyls, are in several sources, e.g.

Dyce, K.M., Sack, W.O. and Wensing, C.J.G., 2009. Textbook of veterinary anatomy. Elsevier Health Sciences. (p. 157: "In ruminants and pigs a separate tracheal bronchus arises proximal to the tracheal bifurcation and sparately aerates the cranial lobe of the right lung.")

Frandson, R.D. and Spurgeon, T.L., 1992. Anatomy and Physiology of Farm Animals. 5th Ed., Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger. (p. 290: "The ruminants and pigs also have a cranial bronchus, which supplies the cranial lobe of the right lung.")

Krankengut, E., 1967. Über den sog. Trachealbronchus. Ergebnisse der Chirurgie und Orthopädie, 49: 1-25. (S. 6: "Hauptvertreter für den Trachealbronchus sind Artiodactyla (Paarzeher Schaf, Rind, Schwein) und Cetacea (Wale, z.B. der gemein Delphin).")

Core temperature variation in sheep is discussed by

Mohr, E. and Krzywanek, H., 1990. Variations of core-temperature rhythms in unrestrained sheep. Physiology & behavior, 48(3), pp.467-473.

Rise in core body temperature without adverse effect on brain temperature is enabled by selective brain cooling; this can occur during dehydration, as discussed by

Fuller, A., Meyer, L.C., Mitchell, D. and Maloney, S.K., 2007. Dehydration increases the magnitude of selective brain cooling independently of core temperature in sheep. American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 293(1), pp.R438-R446.

and is inferred to be a water-conserving mechanism where water is in short supply, as discussed by

Kuhnen, G., 1997. Selective brain cooling reduces respiratory water loss during heat stress. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Physiology, 118(3), pp.891-895. Schafhirt (talk) 03:39, 18 January 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you for providing these citations and information. I am busy with other articles just now, so I will work on these later. I really appreciate your help for improving this article! Thanks again, Sainsf <^>_{Talk all words} 03:52, 23 January 2016 (UTC) [reply]

Reproduction

Some bovid young can follow their mothers after birth while others hide in vegetation for some time. This should be in the article. LittleJerry (talk) 02:16, 7 February 2016 (UTC)[reply]

LittleJerry Thanks for your suggestion. Most newborn calves remain hidden for a week to two months, regularly nursed by their mothers. In some bovid species the neonates start following about their mothers immediately or within a few days, as in the impala.[58] I guess this has been already mentioned in the article. If you have more to say on this suggestion or have more suggestions, then please add them here as this would be quite helpful before FAC. Sainsf <^>_{Talk all words} 05:22, 7 February 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Oh okay. Missed that. LittleJerry (talk) 14:56, 7 February 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Timeline of evolution

“In the early Miocene, bovids began diverging from the cervids (deer) and giraffids.”

“The Bovinae are believed to have diverged from the rest of the Bovidae in the late Oligocene.[16]”

Contradiction!

Grasyop ^✉ 20:52, 8 July 2017 (UTC)[reply]

I suppose it's possible that this is correct, in the sense that that's what the two differing references say. But the 20 million year figure cited for the first line seems to be the prevailing opinion today, and it's likely the source for the second line that has become outdated. I have amended the article with a new reference that supports the "early Miocene" quote. Anaxial (talk) 20:52, 11 July 2017 (UTC)[reply]

External links modified

Hello fellow Wikipedians,

I have just modified one external link on Bovidae. Please take a moment to review my edit. If you have any questions, or need the bot to ignore the links, or the page altogether, please visit this simple FaQ for additional information. I made the following changes:

When you have finished reviewing my changes, you may follow the instructions on the template below to fix any issues with the URLs.

This message was posted before February 2018. After February 2018, "External links modified" talk page sections are no longer generated or monitored by InternetArchiveBot. No special action is required regarding these talk page notices, other than regular verification using the archive tool instructions below. Editors have permission to delete these "External links modified" talk page sections if they want to de-clutter talk pages, but see the RfC before doing mass systematic removals. This message is updated dynamically through the template {{source check}} (last update: 5 June 2024).

If you have discovered URLs which were erroneously considered dead by the bot, you can report them with this tool.
If you found an error with any archives or the URLs themselves, you can fix them with this tool.

Cheers.—InternetArchiveBot (Report bug) 03:22, 24 July 2017 (UTC)[reply]