Cervus

Cervus
Cervus elaphus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Mammalia
Order:Artiodactyla
Family:Cervidae
Subfamily:Cervinae
Tribe:Cervini
Genus:Cervus
Linnaeus, 1758
Species
Also see text

Cervus is a genus of deer that primarily are native to Eurasia, although one species occurs in northern Africa and another in North America. In addition to the species presently placed in this genus, it has included a whole range of other species now commonly placed in other genera, but some of these should perhaps be returned to Cervus. Additionally, the species-level taxonomy is in a state of flux.

Taxonomy

Genus

Until the 1970s, Cervus also included the members of the genera Axis, Dama, Elaphurus and Hyelaphus, and until the late 1980s, it included members of Przewalskium, Rucervus and Rusa.[1] With the exception of the chital (Axis axis), barasinga (Rucervus duvaucelii), Schomburgk's deer (R. schomburgki), and members of the genus Dama, genetic evidence suggests all should be returned to Cervus.[2][3]

Species

In the third edition of Mammal Species of the World from 2005, only the red deer (C. elaphus) and sika deer (C. nippon) were recognized as species in the genus Cervus.[1] Genetic and morphological evidence suggest more species should be recognized.[2][3] For example, the subspecies C. e. canadensis (elk/wapiti) is considered by some to be a separate species.[4]

Red deer species group

Within the red deer species group, some sources have recommended the elk or wapiti (C. canadensis) and central Asian red deer should be treated as species.[2][4][5] If the central Asian red deer (from the Caspian Sea to western China) is recognized as a species, it includes the Yarkand deer and Bactrian deer (the two may be synonymous), but it could possibly also include the Kashmir stag, which has not been sampled in recent studies.[2][4] If it is included in the Central Asian Red Deer, the scientific name of that species is C. hanglu. If it is not included, the scientific name of that species is C. yarkandensis, and the Kashmir stag (C. hanglu) may represent a separate monotypic species.[2][4]

Others members of the red deer group, which may represent separate species, are C. corsicanus, C. wallichii and C. xanthopygus.[2][3] If so, C. corsicanus includes the subspecies C. c. barbarus (perhaps a synonym of corsicanus), and is restricted to Maghreb in North Africa, Corsica and Sardinia.[2][4] C. wallichii would probably include the subspecies C. w. kansuensis and C. w. macneilli (both are perhaps synonyms of C. w. wallichii), and would be found from Tibet to central China.[2][4][6] C. xanthopygus would probably include the subspecies C. x. alashanicus (perhaps a synonym of C. x. xanthopygus), and would be found from the Russian Far East to northeastern China.[2][4][6] This would restrict the "true" red deer (C. elaphus) to Europe, Anatolia, Caucasus and northwestern Iran, and the elk/wapiti (C. canadensis) to North America and the Asian regions of Tian Shan, Altai, and Great Khingan.[2] Alternatively, the barbarus group species are subspecies of the "true" red deer, while the C. wallichii and C. xanthopygus groups are subspecies of the elk/wapiti.[4]

Sika deer species group

The sika deer should be split into four species based on genetics, morphology and voice,[3] although this may be premature based on the presently available evidence.[7] If split, the potential species are C. yesoensis from northern and central Japan (Hokkaido, and northern and central Honshu), C. nippon of southern Japan (southern Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa, Tsushima and other small islands), C. hortulorum of mainland Asia (Russian Far East, Korea, central and eastern China, and northern Vietnam), and C. taiouanus of Taiwan.[3]

Mating System

Members of the genus Cervus have polygynous mating systems within harems.[8] These harems consist of several males, numerous females and their young offspring 1–3 years in age[9] Members of this genus have a yearly breeding season where they display sensory exploitation, intrasexual competition, and weaponry. Females will fight for optimal mating opportunities and sexually selection for males with larger antler size and/or greater roar quality.[10] The degree of polygyny and female aggregation is dependent on the level of food distribution. Females aggregating in areas with more food leading to larger harems[11] Female distribution influences the level of polygyny.

Female-Female Competition

Female-female competition has been observed within harems in the red deer species (Cervus elaphus) prior to and during the mating season. Aggression is displayed through nose threats, kicking, and displacements. Elevated aggression has only been observed during the breeding season. Competition can be for access to mates or reproductive resources such as food, or nesting areas.[10] Female-female aggression in ungulates is often overlooked because it is not as extravagant as male antler combat. Female conflicts occur so the winner has first access to the harem male at the start of the mating season before he is exhausted or low on sperm storage.[10]

Secondary Sexual Traits

While an emphasis in observations of sexual selection is placed on combat using antlers, males with higher roaring rates are also being selected for. During the breeding season males will make calls to attract mates and compete with other males. Like antler size, mating call quality is an indicator of mate potential. Red deer can distinguish the calls of the males in their harem, others and their offspring.[12]

Indirect Benefits

Females select for males with larger antlers which indirectly benefits them. Large antler size in males is a sign of health and strength. The visual display is a reliable indicator of mate quality, providing indirect benefits. The females are not directly affected by these characteristics, but they will produce more viable and fit offspring. Males with large antlers mate and sire more offspring than smaller, younger males. Large antler size is correlated with overall health, fitness and an increase in sperm production and quality.[8]

References

  1. 1 2 Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M., eds. (2005). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Pitraa, Fickela, Meijaard, Groves (2004). Evolution and phylogeny of old world deer. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution'.' 33:880–895.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Groves (2006). The genus Cervus in eastern Eurasia. European Journal of Wildlife Research 52: 14–22.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Ludt, C.J.L; Schroeder, Rottmann and Kuehn (2004). Mitochondrial DNA phylogeography of red deer (Cervus elaphus). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 31: 1064–1083.
  5. ↑ Randi, Mucci, Claro-Hergueta, Bonnet and Douzery (2001). A mitochondrial DNA control region phylogeny of the Cervinae: speciation in Cervus and implications for conservation. Anim. Conserv. 4: 1–11.
  6. 1 2 Smith and Xie, editors (2008). Mammals of China. ISBN 978-0-691-09984-2
  7. ↑ Harris, R.B. (2008). "Cervus nippon". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.4. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 11 March 2011.
  8. 1 2 Kie, John G.; Johnson, Bruce K.; Noyes, James H.; Williams, Christen L.; Dick, Brian L.; Rhodes, Olin E.; Stussy, Rosemary J.; Bowyer, R. Terry (2013-09-01). "Reproduction in North American elk Cervus elaphus: paternity of calves sired by males of mixed age classes". Wildlife Biology. 19 (3): 302–310. doi:10.2981/12-051. ISSN 0909-6396.
  9. ↑ de Vos, A.; Brokx, P.; Geist, V. (1967). "A Review of Social Behavior of the North American Cervids during the Reproductive Period". The American Midland Naturalist. 77 (2): 390–417. doi:10.2307/2423349. JSTOR 2423349.
  10. 1 2 3 Bebié, Nicole; McElligott, A.G. "Female aggression in red deer: Does it indicate competition for mates?". Mammalian Biology - Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde. 71 (6): 347–355. doi:10.1016/j.mambio.2006.02.008.
  11. ↑ Sánchez-Prieto, Cristina B.; Carranza, Juan; Pulido, Fernando J. (2004-08-16). "Reproductive Behavior in Female Iberian Red Deer: Effects of Aggregation and Dispersion of Food". Journal of Mammalogy. 85 (4): 761–767. doi:10.1644/bjk-122. ISSN 0022-2372.
  12. ↑ Pérez-González, Javier; Carranza, Juan; Polo, Vicente (2010-07-21). "Measuring female aggregation in ungulate mating-system research: a red deer case study". Wildlife Research. 37 (4): 301–310. doi:10.1071/wr09033. ISSN 1448-5494.
  • "Cervus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
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