Bos (from
Latin bos: cow, ox, bull) is the
genus of wild and
domestic cattle.
Bos can be divided into four
subgenera:
Bos,
Bibos,
Novibos, and
Poephagus, but these divisions are controversial. The genus has five
extant species. However, this may rise to seven if the
domesticated varieties are counted as separate species, and nine if the closely related genus
Bison is also included. Modern species of cattle are believed to have originated from the extinct
aurochs.