Zebu

Zebu are domestic cattle distinguished by a prominent shoulder hump, loose skin, and adaptation to hot climates. They descend chiefly from the South Asian subspecies Bos taurus indicus.

Bos taurus indicus: The South Asian subspecies of domestic cattle commonly called zebu. This subspecies is the principal ancestral stock of zebu cattle.
Heat stress in cattle: A condition in which environmental heat overwhelms cattle's ability to regulate body temperature. Zebu are valued where high temperatures make heat stress a persistent risk.
South Asia: The region encompassing the Indian subcontinent and neighboring areas of Asia. Zebu were domesticated in South Asia, where their history and diversity are deeply rooted.
Brahman cattle: A North American composite cattle breed developed largely from Indian zebu stock. Brahman cattle are a named zebu-derived breed selected for hot-climate performance.
Bos taurus taurus: The taurine subspecies of domestic cattle, originating primarily from Near Eastern domestication. Taurine cattle generally lack the prominent hump characteristic of zebu.
Bos taurus: The scientific species name encompassing domestic cattle and their wild ancestor, the aurochs. Zebu belong to domestic cattle within this broader species.
Sweating: The release of fluid from skin glands, enabling evaporative cooling in many mammals. Skin and sweat-related traits contribute to zebu's capacity to shed heat.
Aurochs: An extinct wild bovine species ancestral to domestic cattle. Domestic zebu ultimately descend from the wild cattle lineage that was domesticated in South Asia.
Sanga cattle: African cattle populations combining zebu and taurine ancestry, often with a small shoulder hump. Sanga cattle show how zebu ancestry contributed to African livestock.
European cattle: Cattle breeds developed chiefly from taurine ancestry in Europe. Many European breeds are productive in temperate settings but less heat tolerant than zebu.

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