Dear Jacqui,
For one thing, the correct spelling for bos longifrons and frontosis
are Bos longifrons and frontosus (genus name still capitalized,
although the names are fictional, from the days of polyphyletic
theories).
Naturally, they are not species or not neven breeds, simply cranial
types of Bos taurus L. 1758, rather passe from a taxonomic point of
view.
I think longifrons was sometimes used in Britain as a preferred
synonim for brachyceros. This type should be common in a Swiss
neolithic assemblage. The brachyceros cranial type is often equated
with Swiss Brown-like beasts, while frontosus largely corresponds to
Simenthal & Co.
The terms, although formalistic, still have some conventional
descriptive value in archaeozoology, as long as people understand
what they mean. I have no literature here at home, and I will leave
for a week tomorrow, but eventually I should be able to track down
authorities if it will still be of interest in February. Some hints:
Brachyceros (a.k.a. Torfrind) and frontosus must be Ruetimeyer
1861. You should try to track longifrons down on the home turf, to
put it in style. If I remember correctly, originally the name Bos
longifrons was given to some West African water buffalo (??) by
Owen in 1846. Please anybody out there correct me if I am wrong.
Best wishes, Laszlo
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