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{{Short description|Genus of mammals, the goats}}
{{redirect|Ibex|other uses|Ibex (disambiguation)}}
{{Automatic taxobox
{{italic title}}
| fossil_range = {{Fossil range|2.58|0}} Early ] – ]
{{Taxobox
| image = Козе изнад Ст.Леонарда, Јужни Тирол, Италија.jpg
| name = ''Capra''
| image_upright = 1.2
| fossil_range = {{Fossil range|2.6|0}}]-]
| image_caption = ''Capra'', ], ]
| image = Siberian Ibex.jpg
| image_width = 300px | taxon = Capra
| authority = ], ]
| image_caption = Female and male ] at the ]
| regnum = ]ia | type_species = '']''
| type_species_authority = ], ]
| phylum = ]
| classis = ]ia
| ordo = ]
| familia = ]ae
| subfamilia = ]
| genus = '''''Capra'''''
| genus_authority = ], ]
| subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision = See text. | subdivision = See ].
| range_map = Capra range map2.jpg | range_map = Capra range map2.jpg
| range_map_caption = Approximate range of the ''Capra'' species | range_map_caption = Approximate range of the ''Capra'' species
}} }}
'''''Capra''''' is a ] of ], the '''goats''' or '''wild goats''', composed of up to nine ], including the ], the ], and several species known as '''ibex'''. The ] (''Capra aegagrus hircus'') is a ] ] of the wild goat (''Capra aegagrus''). Evidence of goat domestication dates back more than 8,500 years.


'''''Capra''''' is a ] of ], the '''goats''', comprising ten ], including the ] and several species known as ]es. The ] (''Capra hircus'') is a ] ] derived from the ] (''Capra aegagrus aegagrus''). It is one of the oldest domesticated species of animal—according to archaeological evidence its earliest domestication occurred in Iran at 10,000 ] calendar years ago.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=The Initial Domestication of Goats (Capra hircus) in the Zagros Mountains 10,000 Years Ago|url=https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.287.5461.2254|journal=Science|bibcode=2000Sci...287.2254Z|last1=Zeder|first1=Melinda A.|last2=Hesse|first2=Brian|year=2000|volume=287|issue=5461|pages=2254–7|doi=10.1126/science.287.5461.2254|pmid=10731145|access-date=June 30, 2022|archive-date=July 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707013603/https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.287.5461.2254|url-status=live}}</ref>
Wild goats are animals of mountain habitats. They are very agile and hardy, able to climb on bare rock and survive on sparse vegetation. They can be distinguished from the genus '']'', which includes sheep, by the presence of scent glands close to the feet, in the groin, and in front of the eyes, and the absence of other facial glands, and by the presence of a beard in the males, and of hairless ]es on the knees of the forelegs.<ref name=Parrini2009>{{cite journal | author = Parrini, F. | year = 2009 | title = ''Capra ibex'' (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) | journal = Mammalian Species | volume = 830 | pages = 1–12 | doi = 10.1644/830.1|display-authors=etal}}</ref>


Wild goats are animals of ] habitats. They are very agile and hardy, able to climb on bare rock and survive on sparse vegetation. They can be distinguished from the genus '']'', which includes sheep, by the presence of scent glands close to the feet, in the groin, and in front of the eyes, and the absence of other facial glands, and by the presence of a beard in some specimens, and of hairless ]es on the knees of the forelegs.<ref name=Parrini2009>{{cite journal | author = Parrini, F. | year = 2009 | title = ''Capra ibex'' (Artiodactyla: Bovidae) | journal = Mammalian Species | volume = 830 | pages = 1–12 | doi = 10.1644/830.1|display-authors=etal| doi-access = free }}</ref>
The ] is in a separate genus, '']''.


==Taxonomy== ==Taxonomy==
] ]
]
All members of the ''Capra'' genus are ]s (members of the family Bovidae), and more specifically and caprids (subfamily ]). As such they are ]s, meaning they chew the cud, and have four-chambered stomachs which play a vital role in digesting, regurgitating, and redigesting their food.


All members of the genus ''Capra'' are ]s (members of the family Bovidae), and more specifically caprines (subfamily ]). As such they are ]s, meaning they chew the cud, and have four-chambered stomachs which play a vital role in digesting, regurgitating, and redigesting their food.
The genus has sometimes been taken to include '']'' (sheep) and ''Ammotragus'' (]),<ref>Ansell, W. F. H. 1972. Order Artiodactyla. Part 15. Pp. 1–84, in ''The mammals of Africa: An identification manual'' (J. Meester and H. W. Setzer, eds.) . Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C., not continuously paginated. (quoted in {{MSW3 Grubb|id=14200767}})</ref> but these are usually regarded as distinct genera, leaving ''Capra'' for goats and ibexes. In this smaller genus, some authors have recognized only two species, the markhor on one side and all other forms included in one species on the other side.<ref>Haltenorth, T. 1963. Klassifikation der Säugetiere: Artiodactyla I. ''Handbuch der Zoologie'', '''8'''(32):1–167 (quoted in {{MSW3 Grubb|id=14200767}})</ref> Today, nine species are usually accepted:<ref>Nathalie Pidancier, Steve Jordan, Gordon Luikart, Pierre Taberlet: Evolutionary history of the genus Capra (Mammalia, Artiodactyla): Discordance between mitochondrial DNA and Y-chromosome. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 40 (2006) 739–749 </ref>

* ] (''Capra caucasica'')
The genus has sometimes been taken to include '']'' (sheep) and ''Ammotragus'' (]),<ref>Ansell, W. F. H. 1972. Order Artiodactyla. Part 15. Pp. 1–84, in ''The mammals of Africa: An identification manual'' (J. Meester and H. W. Setzer, eds.) . Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C., not continuously paginated. (quoted in {{MSW3 Grubb|id=14200767}})</ref> but these are usually regarded as distinct genera, leaving ''Capra'' for ibexes. In this smaller genus, some authors have recognized only two species, the markhor on one side and all other forms included in one species on the other side.<ref>Haltenorth, T. 1963. Klassifikation der Säugetiere: Artiodactyla I. ''Handbuch der Zoologie'', '''8'''(32):1–167 (quoted in {{MSW3 Grubb|id=14200767}})</ref> Today, nine wild species are usually accepted to which is added the domestic goat:<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1016/j.ympev.2006.04.002 |title=Evolutionary history of the genus Capra (Mammalia, Artiodactyla): Discordance between mitochondrial DNA and Y-chromosome phylogenies |date=2006 |last1=Pidancier |first1=Nathalie |last2=Jordan |first2=Steve |last3=Luikart |first3=Gordon |last4=Taberlet |first4=Pierre |journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution |volume=40 |issue=3 |pages=739–749 |pmid=16757184 |bibcode=2006MolPE..40..739P }}</ref>
** ] (''Capra caucasica cylindricornis'')
* ] (''Capra falconeri'') * ] also known as the wild goat (''Capra aegagrus'')
* ] (''Capra hircus''; includes ]) ** ] (''Capra aegagrus aegagrus'')
** ] (''Capra hircus aegagrus'') **] (''Capra aegagrus blythi'')
*] (''Capra hircus''; includes ]; sometimes considered a subspecies of ''C. aegagrus'')
*] also known as the Siberian ibex (''Capra sibirica'')<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Sarasa |first=M. |date=2023 |title=Common names of the Asiatic ibex superspecies at a turning point in its taxonomy and management |journal=Animal Biodiversity and Conservation |language=en |pages=79–86 |doi=10.32800/abc.2023.46.0079 |s2cid=257346317 |issn=2014-928X|doi-access=free }}</ref>
*] (''Capra falconeri'')
*] (''Capra caucasica'')
* ] (''Capra cylindricornis'')
* ] (''Capra ibex'') * ] (''Capra ibex'')
* ] also known as the Spanish ibex (''Capra pyrenaica'')<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Sarasa |first1=Mathieu |last2=Alasaad |first2=Samer |last3=Pérez |first3=Jesús M. |date=2012 |title=Common names of species, the curious case of Capra pyrenaica and the concomitant steps towards the 'wild-to-domestic' transformation of a flagship species and its vernacular names |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-011-0172-3 |journal=Biodiversity and Conservation |language=en |volume=21 |issue=1 |pages=1–12 |doi=10.1007/s10531-011-0172-3 |bibcode=2012BiCon..21....1S |s2cid=254282784 |issn=1572-9710}}</ref>
* ] (''Capra nubiana'')
* ] (''Capra nubiana'')<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Mendelssohn |first1=Heinrich |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/Special:BookSources/978-965-208-145-2 |title=Mammalia of Israel |last2=Yom-Tov |first2=Yoram |date=1999 |publisher=Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities |isbn=978-965-208-145-2 |series=Fauna Palaestina |location=Jerusalem}}</ref>
* ] (''Capra pyrenaica'')
* ] (''Capra sibirica'')
* ] (''Capra walie'') * ] (''Capra walie'')


The ] of the genus ''Capra'' have complex systematic relationships, which are still not completely resolved. Recent studies based on ] suggest that the Siberian ibex and the Nubian ibex represent distinct species, which are not very closely related to the physically similar Alpine ibex. The Alpine ibex forms a group with the Spanish ibex. The West Caucasian tur appears to be more closely related to the wild goat than to the East Caucasian tur. The markhor is relatively little separated from other forms—previously it had been considered to be a separate branch of the genus.<ref>''Phylogenetic Reconstructions in the Genus Capra (Bovidae, Artiodactyla) Based on the Mitochondrial DNA Analysis''. Russian Journal of Genetics, 2007, Vol. 43, No. 2, pp. 181–189. </ref> The ] of the genus ''Capra'' have complex systematic relationships, which are still not completely resolved. Recent studies based on ] suggest that the Asian ibex and the Nubian ibex represent distinct species, which are not very closely related to the physically similar Alpine ibex. The Alpine ibex forms a group with the Iberian ibex. The West Caucasian tur appears to be more closely related to the wild goat than to the East Caucasian tur. The markhor is relatively little separated from other forms—previously it had been considered to be a separate branch of the genus.<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://doi.org/10.1134%2FS1022795407020135 | doi=10.1134/S1022795407020135 | title=Phylogenetic reconstructions in the genus Capra (Bovidae, Artiodactyla) based on the mitochondrial DNA analysis | date=2007 | last1=Kazanskaya | first1=E. Y. | last2=Kuznetsova | first2=M. V. | last3=Danilkin | first3=A. A. | journal=Russian Journal of Genetics | volume=43 | issue=2 | pages=181–189 }}</ref>


Almost all wild goat species are ] (geographically separated)—the only geographical overlaps are the wild goat (''Capra hircus'') with the East Caucasian tur (''Capra caucasica cylindricornis''), and the markhor (''Capra falconeri'') with the Siberian ibex (''Capra siberica''). In both cases, the overlapping species do not usually interbreed in the wild, but in captivity, all ''Capra'' species can interbreed, producing fertile offspring.<ref>V. G. Heptner: ''Mammals of the Sowjetunion Vol. I UNGULATES''. Leiden, New York, 1989 ISBN 90-04-08874-1</ref> Almost all wild goat species are ] (geographically separated)—the only geographical overlaps are the wild goat (''Capra aegagrus'') with the East Caucasian tur (''Capra cylindricornis''), and the markhor (''Capra falconeri'') with the Asian ibex (''Capra sibirica''). In both cases, the overlapping species do not usually interbreed in the wild, but in captivity, all ''Capra'' species can interbreed, producing fertile offspring.<ref>V. G. Heptner: ''Mammals of the Sowjetunion Vol. I UNGULATES''. Leiden, New York, 1989 {{ISBN|90-04-08874-1}}</ref>


==Species and subspecies of goats== ==Species and subspecies==
{{Species table |genus= Capra |authority-name=] |authority-year=] |species-count=ten|no-note=y|narrow-percent=75}}
{| class="wikitable"
| ] || ''Capra caucasica'' || ]
|-
| ] || ''Capra cylindricornis'' || ]
|-
| ] || ''Capra falconeri'' || ]
|- "
|-
| ] || ''Capra aegagrus'' || ]
|-
| ] || ''Capra (aegagrus) hircus'' || ]
|-
| ]|| ''Capra sibirica'' || ]
|-
| ] || ''Capra pyrenaica'' || ]
|-
| ] || ''Capra walie'' || ]
|-
| ] || ''Capra ibex'' || ]
|-
| ] || ''Capra nubiana'' || ]
|}


{{Species table/row
==Domestication and uses==
|name=Asian ibex, Siberian ibex |binomial=]
{{main|Domestic goat}}
|image=File:Steinbock-P1150170.jpg|image-size=180px |image-alt=
]
|authority-name=Pallas|authority-year=1776 |authority-not-original=
Along with sheep, goats were among the first ]. The domestication process started at least 10,000 years ago in what is now northern ].<ref>Melinda A. Zeder, Brian Hesse: ''The Initial Domestication of Goats (''Capra hircus'') in the Zagros Mountains 10,000 Years Ago''. Science 24 March 2000: Vol. 287. no. 5461, pp. 2254–2257 </ref> Easy human access to goat hair, ], and ] were the primary motivations. Goat skins were popularly used until the ] for water and ] when traveling and ], and in certain regions as ] for writing.
|range= ] & ], ], ] and ] (mainly ]), ], SE ], ], ], ], ], ], ].
|range-image=File:Capra sibirica.png
|range-image-size=180px
|size=
|habitat=
|hunting=
|iucn-status= NT
|population=
|direction=
|subspecies={{Collapsible list |expand=yes |title=Four subspecies |bullets=on
| ''C. s. sibirica''
| ''C. s. alaiana''
| ''C. s. hagenbecki''
| ''C. s. sakeen''
}}
}}


{{Species table/row
==In ancient history==
|name= Markhor|binomial=]
|image=File:Markhor Schraubenziege Capra falconeri Zoo Augsburg-02.jpg |image-size=180px |image-alt=
|authority-name=Wagner |authority-year=1839 |authority-not-original=yes
|range= ]; the ] and ] ranges.
|range-image=File:Capra falconeri map.gif
|range-image-size=180px
|size=
|habitat=
|hunting=
|iucn-status= NT
|population=
|direction=
|subspecies={{Collapsible list |expand=yes |title=Five subspecies |bullets=on
| ''C. f. falconeri''
| ''C. f. heptneri''
| ''C. f. megaceros''
| ''C. f. cashmiriensis''
| ''C. f. jerdoni''
}}
}}


{{Species table/row
]]]
|name= Domestic goat|binomial=]
|image=File:Gorges du Verdon Goat-Rove-black 0253.jpg|image-size=180px |image-alt=
|authority-name=Linnaeus |authority-year=1758 |authority-not-original=
|range= ] distribution; ].
|range-image=
|range-image-size=180px
|size=
|habitat=
|hunting=
|iucn-status= LC
|population=
|direction=
|subspecies=
}}


{{Species table/row
Evidence of the ibex is widely present in the ] record, particularly in the ] and Mediterranean regions. Ibex motifs are very common on ]s and pottery, both painted and embossed. Excavations from ] ] at ], for example, have yielded specimens from about 1800 ], including one ] depicting an ibex defending itself from a ].<ref>C. Michael Hogan, </ref> From the similar age a gold ] ibex image was found at the ] archaeological site<ref>M. Uda, G. Demortier, I. Nakai, ''X-rays for archaeology'', 2005, Springer,
|name=Wild goat |binomial=]
ISBN 1-4020-3580-2</ref> on ] in present-day Greece.
|image=File:Bezoarziege.jpg|image-size=180px |image-alt=
|authority-name=Erxleben|authority-year=1777 |authority-not-original=
|range= ], the ] to ], Afghanistan and Pakistan
|range-image=
|range-image-size=180px
|size=
|habitat=
|hunting=
|iucn-status= NT
|population=
|direction=
|subspecies={{Collapsible list |expand=yes |title=Four subspecies |bullets=on
|] ''C. a. aegagrus''
|] ''C. a. blythi''
|] ''C. a. chialtanensis''
|] ''C. a. turcmenica''
}}
}}


{{Species table/row
An ] ''Capra ibex'' specimen was recovered at the ] archaeological site in present-day ], illustrating either domestication or hunting of the ibex by these early peoples.{{Clarify|date=August 2009}}<!--Not so very early in this context: goats were domesticated long before the Iron Age.--> However, archaeological records of ibex can be difficult to separate from those of domestic ].<ref>Pam J. Crabtree, Douglas V. Campana, Kathleen Ryan, ''Early Animal Domestication and Its Cultural Context'', 1989, University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology ISBN 0-924171-96-0</ref>
|name=East Caucasian tur |binomial=]
|image=File:Daghestanischer Tur Ostkaukasischer Steinbock Capra cylindricornis Zoo Augsburg-10 (cropped).jpg|image-size=180px |image-alt=
|authority-name=Blyth |authority-year=1841 |authority-not-original=yes
|range= ].
|range-image=
|range-image-size=180px
|size=
|habitat=
|hunting=
|iucn-status= NT
|population=
|direction=
|subspecies=
}}


{{Species table/row
==Associations in history==
|name=West Caucasian tur |binomial=]
] horns hanging in Buddhist Monastery, ]]]
|image=File:Capra caucasica1.JPG|image-size=180px |image-alt=
It has been suggested that rock carvings and the horns of ibex may have been used as charms to encourage childbearing or to give thanks for a child by Himalayan peoples between 1000 BC to 300 AD {{Citation needed|date=December 2015}}. As commented on by historian and archaeologist, A. H. Francke:
|authority-name=Güldenstädt and Pallas |authority-year=1783 |authority-not-original=
|range= Caucasus Mountains.
|range-image=
|range-image-size=180px
|size=
|habitat=
|hunting=
|iucn-status=EN
|population=
|direction=
|subspecies=
}}


{{Species table/row
<blockquote>Our Christian evangelist at ] had become a father a few weeks before, and the people of the village had made presents of "flour-ibex" to him and his wife. He gave me one of those figures, which are made of flour and butter, and told me that it was a custom in Tibet and Ladakh, to make presents of "flour-ibex" on the occasion of the birth of a child. This is quite interesting information. I had often wondered why there were so many rock carvings of ibex at places connected with the pre-Buddhist religion of Ladakh. Now it appears probable that they are thank offerings after the birth of children. As I have tried to show in my previous article, people used to go to the pre-Buddhist places of worship, in particular, to pray to be blessed with children.<ref>Francke, A. H. (1914). ''Antiquities of Indian Tibet''. Two Volumes. Calcutta. 1972 reprint: S. Chand, New Delhi. pp. 95–96.</ref></blockquote>
|name=Alpine ibex |binomial=]
{{Clear}}
|image=File:SteinbockGabinten.jpg|image-size=180px |image-alt=
|authority-name=Linnaeus |authority-year=1758 |authority-not-original=
|range= ], ], ], ], ], ] & ].
|range-image=File:AlpineIbex distribution.png
|range-image-size=180px
|size=
|habitat=
|hunting=
|iucn-status= LC
|population=
|direction=
|subspecies=
}}

{{Species table/row
|name= Iberian ibex|binomial=]
|image=File:Cabra montés 2.jpg|image-size=180px |image-alt=
|authority-name=Schinz |authority-year=1838 |authority-not-original=yes
|range= ]: ], ], ] to ].
|range-image=
|range-image-size=180px
|size=
|habitat=
|hunting=
|iucn-status= LC
|population=
|direction=
|subspecies={{Collapsible list |expand=yes |title=Four subspecies |bullets=on
|'']''
|'']''
|†'']''
|†'']''
}}
}}

{{Species table/row
|name=Nubian ibex |binomial=]
|image=File:Nubian Ibex in Negev.JPG|image-size=180px |image-alt=
|authority-name=F. Cuvier|authority-year= 1825 |authority-not-original=
|range= ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite iucn |last1=Ross |first1=S. |last2=Elalqamy |first2=H. |last3=Al Said |first3=T. |last4=Saltz |first4=D. |title=''Capra nubiana'' |volume=2020 |page=e.T3796A22143385 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T3796A22143385.en}}</ref>
|range-image=
|range-image-size=180px
|size=Males: 52–74.7 kg (115–165 lb)
Females: 25.3–32.7 kg (56–72 lb)
|habitat=Mountainous desert terrain near water sources
|hunting=] and other trees, shrubs, and grasses
|iucn-status= VU
|population=4,500 <ref>{{cite iucn |last1=Ross |first1=S. |last2=Elalqamy |first2=H. |last3=Al Said |first3=T. |last4=Saltz |first4=D. |title=''Capra nubiana'' |volume=2020 |page=e.T3796A22143385 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T3796A22143385.en}}</ref>
|direction=
|subspecies=
}}

{{Species table/row
|name= Walia ibex|binomial=]
|image=File:Walia ibex 2.jpg|image-size=180px |image-alt=
|authority-name=Rüppell|authority-year=1835 |authority-not-original=
|range= ] & ].
|range-image=File:Capra walie distribution.png
|range-image-size=180px
|size=
|habitat=
|hunting=
|iucn-status= VU
|population=
|direction=
|subspecies=
}}
{{Species table/end}}

==Domestication and uses==
{{main|Domestic goat}}

Along with sheep, goats were among the first ]. The domestication process started at least 10,000 years ago in what is now northern ].<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.287.5461.2254 | doi=10.1126/science.287.5461.2254 | title=The Initial Domestication of Goats ( ''Capra hircus'' ) in the Zagros Mountains 10,000 Years Ago | date=2000 | last1=Zeder | first1=Melinda A. | last2=Hesse | first2=Brian | journal=Science | volume=287 | issue=5461 | pages=2254–2257 | pmid=10731145 | bibcode=2000Sci...287.2254Z }}</ref> Easy human access to goat hair, ], and ] were the primary motivations. Goat skins were popularly used until the ] for water and ] when traveling and ], and in certain regions as ] for writing.

<gallery widths="200px" heights="200px">
Image:Goats as weed control.jpg|Goats used for natural weed control
File:Ibex in the French Vanoise National Park.JPG|Ibex securely climbing rocky slope
</gallery>


==References== ==References==
{{reflist|2}} {{Reflist|2}}


== External links == ==External links==
{{Commons|Capra}} {{Commons}}
* {{Cite NIE|wstitle=Ibex |year=1905 |short=x}} * {{Cite NIE|wstitle=Ibex |year=1905 |short=x}}


{{Artiodactyla|R.3}} {{Artiodactyla|R.3}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q172923}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Capra (Genus)}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Capra (Genus)}}
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Latest revision as of 21:32, 7 October 2024

Genus of mammals, the goats

Capra
Temporal range: 2.58–0 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓ Early Pleistocene – Present
Capra, St. Leonhard in Passeier, Italy
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Subfamily: Caprinae
Tribe: Caprini
Genus: Capra
Linnaeus, 1758
Type species
Capra hircus
Linnaeus, 1758
Species

See text.

Approximate range of the Capra species

Capra is a genus of mammals, the goats, comprising ten species, including the markhor and several species known as ibexes. The domestic goat (Capra hircus) is a domesticated species derived from the bezoar ibex (Capra aegagrus aegagrus). It is one of the oldest domesticated species of animal—according to archaeological evidence its earliest domestication occurred in Iran at 10,000 calibrated calendar years ago.

Wild goats are animals of mountain habitats. They are very agile and hardy, able to climb on bare rock and survive on sparse vegetation. They can be distinguished from the genus Ovis, which includes sheep, by the presence of scent glands close to the feet, in the groin, and in front of the eyes, and the absence of other facial glands, and by the presence of a beard in some specimens, and of hairless calluses on the knees of the forelegs.

Taxonomy

Male Nubian ibex
Caprine heart.

All members of the genus Capra are bovids (members of the family Bovidae), and more specifically caprines (subfamily Caprinae). As such they are ruminants, meaning they chew the cud, and have four-chambered stomachs which play a vital role in digesting, regurgitating, and redigesting their food.

The genus has sometimes been taken to include Ovis (sheep) and Ammotragus (Barbary sheep), but these are usually regarded as distinct genera, leaving Capra for ibexes. In this smaller genus, some authors have recognized only two species, the markhor on one side and all other forms included in one species on the other side. Today, nine wild species are usually accepted to which is added the domestic goat:

The goats of the genus Capra have complex systematic relationships, which are still not completely resolved. Recent studies based on mitochondrial DNA suggest that the Asian ibex and the Nubian ibex represent distinct species, which are not very closely related to the physically similar Alpine ibex. The Alpine ibex forms a group with the Iberian ibex. The West Caucasian tur appears to be more closely related to the wild goat than to the East Caucasian tur. The markhor is relatively little separated from other forms—previously it had been considered to be a separate branch of the genus.

Almost all wild goat species are allopatric (geographically separated)—the only geographical overlaps are the wild goat (Capra aegagrus) with the East Caucasian tur (Capra cylindricornis), and the markhor (Capra falconeri) with the Asian ibex (Capra sibirica). In both cases, the overlapping species do not usually interbreed in the wild, but in captivity, all Capra species can interbreed, producing fertile offspring.

Species and subspecies

Genus Capra – Linnaeus, 1758 – ten species
Common name Scientific name and subspecies Range Size and ecology IUCN status and estimated population
Asian ibex, Siberian ibex

Capra sibirica
Pallas, 1776

Four subspecies
  • C. s. sibirica
  • C. s. alaiana
  • C. s. hagenbecki
  • C. s. sakeen
Central & North Asia, Afghanistan, West and North China (mainly Xinjiang), NW India, SE Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, North Pakistan, South Russia, Tajikistan, East Uzbekistan.
Map of range 		Size:

Habitat:

Diet: 		 NT 


Markhor

Capra falconeri
(Wagner, 1839)

Five subspecies
  • C. f. falconeri
  • C. f. heptneri
  • C. f. megaceros
  • C. f. cashmiriensis
  • C. f. jerdoni
South Asia; the Karakoram and Himalaya ranges.
Map of range 		Size:

Habitat:

Diet: 		 NT 


Domestic goat

Capra hircus
Linnaeus, 1758 		Cosmopolitan distribution; domesticated. Size:

Habitat:

Diet: 		 LC 


Wild goat

Capra aegagrus
Erxleben, 1777

Four subspecies 		Turkey, the Caucasus to Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan Size:

Habitat:

Diet: 		 NT 


East Caucasian tur

Capra cylindricornis
(Blyth, 1841) 		Greater Caucasus Mountains. Size:

Habitat:

Diet: 		 NT 


West Caucasian tur

Capra caucasica
Güldenstädt and Pallas, 1783 		Caucasus Mountains. Size:

Habitat:

Diet: 		 EN 


Alpine ibex

Capra ibex
Linnaeus, 1758 		Austria, Bavaria, France, Italy, Liechtenstein, Slovenia & Switzerland.
Map of range 		Size:

Habitat:

Diet: 		 LC 


Iberian ibex

Capra pyrenaica
(Schinz, 1838)

Four subspecies 		Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Pyrenees Mountains, Spain to Portugal. Size:

Habitat:

Diet: 		 LC 


Nubian ibex

Capra nubiana
F. Cuvier, 1825 		Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Size: Males: 52–74.7 kg (115–165 lb)

Females: 25.3–32.7 kg (56–72 lb)

Habitat: Mountainous desert terrain near water sources

Diet: Acacia and other trees, shrubs, and grasses

 VU 


4,500

Walia ibex

Capra walie
Rüppell, 1835 		Ethiopian Highlands & Simien Mountains.
Map of range 		Size:

Habitat:

Diet: 		 VU 


Domestication and uses

Main article: Domestic goat

Along with sheep, goats were among the first domesticated animals. The domestication process started at least 10,000 years ago in what is now northern Iran. Easy human access to goat hair, meat, and milk were the primary motivations. Goat skins were popularly used until the Middle Ages for water and wine bottles when traveling and camping, and in certain regions as parchment for writing.

  • Goats used for natural weed control Goats used for natural weed control
  • Ibex securely climbing rocky slope Ibex securely climbing rocky slope

References

  1. Zeder, Melinda A.; Hesse, Brian (2000). "The Initial Domestication of Goats (Capra hircus) in the Zagros Mountains 10,000 Years Ago". Science. 287 (5461): 2254–7. Bibcode:2000Sci...287.2254Z. doi:10.1126/science.287.5461.2254. PMID 10731145. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  2. Parrini, F.; et al. (2009). "Capra ibex (Artiodactyla: Bovidae)". Mammalian Species. 830: 1–12. doi:10.1644/830.1.
  3. Ansell, W. F. H. 1972. Order Artiodactyla. Part 15. Pp. 1–84, in The mammals of Africa: An identification manual (J. Meester and H. W. Setzer, eds.) . Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C., not continuously paginated. (quoted in Grubb, P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0-8018-8221-4. OCLC 62265494.)
  4. Haltenorth, T. 1963. Klassifikation der Säugetiere: Artiodactyla I. Handbuch der Zoologie, 8(32):1–167 (quoted in Grubb, P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0-8018-8221-4. OCLC 62265494.)
  5. Pidancier, Nathalie; Jordan, Steve; Luikart, Gordon; Taberlet, Pierre (2006). "Evolutionary history of the genus Capra (Mammalia, Artiodactyla): Discordance between mitochondrial DNA and Y-chromosome phylogenies". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 40 (3): 739–749. Bibcode:2006MolPE..40..739P. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2006.04.002. PMID 16757184.
  6. Sarasa, M. (2023). "Common names of the Asiatic ibex superspecies at a turning point in its taxonomy and management". Animal Biodiversity and Conservation: 79–86. doi:10.32800/abc.2023.46.0079. ISSN 2014-928X. S2CID 257346317.
  7. Sarasa, Mathieu; Alasaad, Samer; Pérez, Jesús M. (2012). "Common names of species, the curious case of Capra pyrenaica and the concomitant steps towards the 'wild-to-domestic' transformation of a flagship species and its vernacular names". Biodiversity and Conservation. 21 (1): 1–12. Bibcode:2012BiCon..21....1S. doi:10.1007/s10531-011-0172-3. ISSN 1572-9710. S2CID 254282784.
  8. Mendelssohn, Heinrich; Yom-Tov, Yoram (1999). Mammalia of Israel. Fauna Palaestina. Jerusalem: Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities. ISBN 978-965-208-145-2.
  9. Kazanskaya, E. Y.; Kuznetsova, M. V.; Danilkin, A. A. (2007). "Phylogenetic reconstructions in the genus Capra (Bovidae, Artiodactyla) based on the mitochondrial DNA analysis". Russian Journal of Genetics. 43 (2): 181–189. doi:10.1134/S1022795407020135.
  10. V. G. Heptner: Mammals of the Sowjetunion Vol. I UNGULATES. Leiden, New York, 1989 ISBN 90-04-08874-1
  11. Ross, S.; Elalqamy, H.; Al Said, T.; Saltz, D. "Capra nubiana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T3796A22143385. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T3796A22143385.en.
  12. Ross, S.; Elalqamy, H.; Al Said, T.; Saltz, D. "Capra nubiana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T3796A22143385. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T3796A22143385.en.
  13. Zeder, Melinda A.; Hesse, Brian (2000). "The Initial Domestication of Goats ( Capra hircus ) in the Zagros Mountains 10,000 Years Ago". Science. 287 (5461): 2254–2257. Bibcode:2000Sci...287.2254Z. doi:10.1126/science.287.5461.2254. PMID 10731145.

External links

Extant Artiodactyla species
Suborder Ruminantia
Antilocapridae
Antilocapra
Giraffidae
Okapia
Giraffa
Moschidae
Moschus
Tragulidae
Hyemoschus
Moschiola
Tragulus
CervidaeLarge family listed below
BovidaeLarge family listed below
Family Cervidae
Cervinae
Muntiacus
Elaphodus
Dama
Axis
Rucervus
Elaphurus
Rusa
Cervus
Capreolinae
Alces
Hydropotes
Capreolus
Rangifer
Hippocamelus
Mazama
Ozotoceros
Blastocerus
Pudu
Pudella?
Odocoileus
Family Bovidae
Hippotraginae
Hippotragus
Oryx
Addax
Reduncinae
Kobus
Redunca
Aepycerotinae
Aepyceros
Peleinae
Pelea
Alcelaphinae
Beatragus
Damaliscus
Alcelaphus
Connochaetes
Pantholopinae
Pantholops
CaprinaeLarge subfamily listed below
BovinaeLarge subfamily listed below
AntilopinaeLarge subfamily listed below
Family Bovidae (subfamily Caprinae)
Ammotragus
Arabitragus
Budorcas
Capra
Capricornis
Hemitragus
Naemorhedus
Oreamnos
Ovibos
Nilgiritragus
Ovis
Pseudois
Rupicapra
Family Bovidae (subfamily Bovinae)
Boselaphini
Tetracerus
Boselaphus
Bovini
Bubalus
Bos
Pseudoryx
Syncerus
Tragelaphini
Tragelaphus
(including kudus)
Taurotragus
Family Bovidae (subfamily Antilopinae)
Antilopini
Ammodorcas
Antidorcas
Antilope
Eudorcas
Gazella
Litocranius
Nanger
Procapra
Saigini
Saiga
Neotragini
Dorcatragus
Madoqua
Neotragus
Nesotragus
Oreotragus
Ourebia
Raphicerus
Cephalophini
Cephalophus
Philantomba
Sylvicapra
Suborder Suina
Suidae
Babyrousa
Hylochoerus
Phacochoerus
Porcula
Potamochoerus
Sus
Tayassuidae
Tayassu
Catagonus
Dicotyles
Suborder Tylopoda
Camelidae
Lama
Camelus
Suborder Whippomorpha
Hippopotamidae
Hippopotamus
Choeropsis
Cetacea
Taxon identifiers
Capra
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