What taxonomic possibility exists regarding the River and Swamp buffalo forms?
Answer
They might be listed as two distinct species within *Bubalus*
Scientific taxonomy is dynamic, and the classification of the River and Swamp buffalo is subject to differing viewpoints among taxonomists. While they are commonly recognized as subspecies of *Bubalus bubalis*, some systems elevate them to the status of two distinct species within the genus *Bubalus* (e.g., *B. bubalis* and *B. carababensis*). This possibility reflects the significant divergence observed, particularly concerning their differing chromosome counts ($2n=50$ vs. $2n=48$), which suggests genetic isolation occurred early enough to warrant full species status.
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