bubalus

Bubalus is a genus of medium to large bovids in the subfamily Bovinae. It comprises several Asian buffalo species, including the domestic water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), the wild water buffalo (Bubalus arnee), the Philippine tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis), and the two Sulawesi and dwarf forms known as the anoa—the lowland anoa (Bubalus depressicornis) and the mountain anoa (Bubalus quarlesi). Some authorities treat Bubalus bubalis as a subspecies of Bubalus arnee, which complicates species limits within the genus.

Members of Bubalus are generally robust and gray to brown in color. In water buffalo, the horns are broad and curve outward and backward, with males typically larger than females. The tamaraw and anoa are smaller and have shorter horns. These species often differ in size, horn shape, and habitat preferences, reflecting a range of adaptations to wetland, forest-edge, and upland environments.

Wild Bubalus species are distributed across parts of South and Southeast Asia, including the Indian subcontinent and the Indonesian archipelago. The Philippine tamaraw is endemic to Mindoro, while the anoa occurs in the forests and foothills of Sulawesi. The domesticated water buffalo has been widely introduced and kept in many regions for milk, meat, and draught power.

Ecology and behavior vary among species but share general traits: they are grazing or opportunistic feeders, frequently rely on water for thermoregulation, and are typically social, forming herds with hierarchical structures. Reproduction is slow relative to many other ungulates, with calves retained for extended periods.

Conservation status also varies. Several wild Bubalus populations face threats from habitat loss, hunting, and hybridization with domestic stock, leading to declines and listing by conservation organizations. Efforts focus on habitat protection, anti-poaching measures, and, where feasible, population restoration or reintroduction.