Caprini

Caprini is a tribe within the subfamily Caprinae of the Bovidae family. It serves as a taxonomic grouping that unites a number of genera commonly known for goats, sheep, and their relatives. The exact composition of Caprini varies among authorities, but many classifications include Capra (true goats), Ovis (sheep), Rupicapra (chamois), and Pseudois (blue sheep or bharal). The mountain goat Oreamnos americanus is included as a potential member in some classifications, though its placement can differ depending on the system used.

Species within Caprini are distributed across mountainous and rugged regions of Eurasia, Africa, and parts of North America, with many adapted to alpine or cliff habitats. They are herbivorous ruminants that graze on variably rugged terrain and exhibit adaptations for navigating steep slopes and seasonal changes in forage availability. The tribe displays considerable diversity in body size, horn morphology, and social structure across its genera and species.

Taxonomic status: Caprini is part of the larger Caprinae grouping and is subject to revision as molecular and phylogenetic studies refine relationships among caprine taxa. It is often contrasted with Ovibini, the other major tribe within Caprinae, which includes muskoxen and their relatives. The use of Caprini as a formal tribe is widespread in zoological literature, though some classifications differ on the precise genus-level composition.

Overall, Caprini represents the principal taxonomic lineage that brings together the familiar goats, sheep, and their mountain-dwelling relatives under a common evolutionary framework.