Department of Animal Science
Oklahoma State University

FAQ's

Department of Animal Science

Cooperative Extension

Publications

Research

Courses

Comments, Questions or Suggestions

 

 

What is the scientific name for ________?

With a few exceptions, which are noted below, all breeds will be the same species. For example all domestic chickens will be Gallus domesticus regardless of breed.

Animal

Scientific Name

Poultry

Guinea

Numida meleagris

Peafowl

Phasianidae

Indian Blue

Pavo cristatus

Java Green

Pavo muticus

Congo

Afropavo congensis

Jungle Hen

Gallus gallus

Domestic Chicken

Gallus domesticus

Wild turkeys

Melleagris gallopavo

Japanese Quail

Coturnix coturnix japonica

Equine

Horse

Equus caballus

Ass or Donkey

Equus asinus

Cattle

European Breeds

Bos taurus

Tropical Breeds

Bos indicus

 

There are a number of cattle breeds which exist that are hybrids of Bos taurus and Bos indicus. Examples of them would include the Sanga type cattle from Africa which developed naturally hundreds of years ago and the synthetic breeds developed in the 1900's by crossing.

 

 

 

Other Domestic Livestock

 

Domestic Sheep

Ovis aries

 

Domestic Goat

Capra hircus

 

Domestic Swine

Sus scrofa

 

Domestic Rabbit

Oryctolagus cuniculus

 

 

 

Other Species

 

Domestic buffalo

Babalus babalus

 

American Bison

Bison bison

 

Musk ox

Ovibos moschatus

 

Reindeer

Rangifer tarandus

 

 

 

 

Copyright © 2009, Oklahoma State University Board of Regents. All rights reserved.