TheAmerican Society of Mammalogists considers it as belonging to the speciesBos taurus in analogy toSanga cattle (Bos taurus africanusKerr, 1792).[2]The extinct wildaurochs (Bos primigenius) is thought to havediverged into two distinct genetic strains: the humpedBos indicus and the humplessBos taurus.[11]
Zebu cattle were found to derive from theIndian form ofaurochs and one of the key centers of the Indian Subcontinent beendomesticated between 7,000 and 6,000YBP atMehrgarh, present-dayPakistan, by people linked to or coming fromMesopotamia, including with South India and Gujarat from Western-India being the additional centers for domestication.[12][13][14][15]
Its wild ancestor, the Indian aurochs,became extinct during theIndus Valley Civilisation likely due to habitat loss, caused by expanding pastoralism and interbreeding with domestic zebu.[4][16] Its latest remains ever found were dated to 3,800 YBP, making it the first of the threeaurochs subspecies to die out.[17][18]
Bull in Seal of Indus valley civilizationAPillar of Ashoka, dating to the 3rd century BCE, depicting a zebuZebu pictured on a coin of theIndo-Scythian kingAzes II, late first century BCE
Archaeological evidence including depictions on pottery and rocks suggests that humped cattle likely imported from theNear East was present inEgypt around 4,000YBP. Its first appearance in theSubsahara is dated to after 700 AD and it was introduced to theHorn of Africa around 1000.[19]
Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all the zebuY chromosomehaplotype groups are found in three different lineages: Y3A, the most predominant and cosmopolitan lineage; Y3B, only observed in West Africa; and Y3C, predominant in south and northeast India.[20]
A Zebu bullFemale zebu ofKankrej breed from Gujarat, India
Zebu, as well as many Sanga cattle, have humps on the shoulders, large dewlaps and droopy ears.[21]
Compared to taurine cattle, the zebu is well adapted to the hottropical savanna climate andsteppe environments. These adaptations result in higher tolerance for drought, heat and sunlight exposure.[22]
Studies on the natural weaning of zebu cattle have shown that cows wean their calves over a 2-week period, but after that, continue to show strong affiliatory behavior with their offspring and preferentially choose them for grooming and as grazing partners for at least 4–5 years.[23]
Zebu are generally mature enough to give birth when they are 29 months old. This is based on the development of their bodies to withstand the strain of carrying the calf and lactation. Early reproduction can place too much stress on the body and possibly shorten lifespans. The gestation period averages 285 days, but varies depending on the age and nutrition of the mother. The sex of the calf may also affect the carrying time, as male calves are carried for a longer period than females. Location, breed, body weight, and season affect the overall health of the animal and in return may also affect the gestation period.[22]
Zebu are very common in much of Asia, including Pakistan, India,Nepal,Bangladesh and China. In Asia, taurine cattle are mainly found in the northern regions such asJapan,Korea, northern China andMongolia. In China, taurine cattle are most common in northern breeds, zebu more common in southern breeds, with hybrids in between.[27][28]
Geneticists at theInternational Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Nairobi, Kenya and in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia discovered that cattle had been domesticated in Africa independently of domestication in the Near East. They concluded that the southern African cattle populations derive originally from East Africa rather than from a southbound migration of taurine cattle.[29] The results are inconclusive as to whether domestication occurred first in Africa or the Near East.[30]
Zebu were imported intoBrazil in the early 20th century. Their importation marked a change in cattle ranching in Brazil as they were considered "ecological" since they could graze on natural grasses, and their meat was lean and without chemical residues.[47]From the 1960s onwards,Nelore which is an off breed of Ongole Cattle became the primary cattle breed in Brazil because of its hardiness, heat-resistance, and because it thrives on poor-quality forage and breeds easily, with the calves rarely requiring human intervention to survive. More than 80% ofbeef cattle in Brazil (approximately 167,000,000 animals) are either purebred or hybrid Ongole Cattle.[48]
Draft zebu pulling a cart inMumbai, India (2004)A villager with a decorated bull during Pongal festival
Zebu are used asdraught andriding animals,beef cattle,dairy cattle, as well as for byproducts such as hides,dung forfuel andmanure, and horn for knife handles and the like. Zebu, mostlyminiature zebu, are kept aspets.[49] In India, the number of draft cattle in 1998 was estimated at 65.7 million head.[50]Zebu cows commonly have low production of milk. They do not produce milk until maturation later in their lives and do not produce much. When zebus are crossed withtaurine cattle, milk production generally increases.[22]
InMadagascar, zebu outnumber people, and there are an "astonishing" 6,813Malagasy proverbs, common sayings, and expressions referring to zebu in parlance on the island.[51] Zebu are wrestled by young men in a competitive ritual of courtship calledtolon'omby.[51][52]
Zebu are venerated inHinduism of India. In thehistorical Vedic religion they were a symbol of plenty.[54]: 130 In later times they gradually acquired their present status. According to theMahabharata, they are to be treated with the same respect 'as one's mother'.[55] In the middle of the first millennium, the consumption of beef began to be disfavoured by lawgivers.[54]: 144
Milk and milk products were used in Vedic rituals.[54]: 130 In the postvedic period products like milk, curd, ghee, but also cow dung and urinegomutra, or the combination of these fivepanchagavya began to assume an increasingly important role inritual purification and expiation.[54]: 130–131
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