Cervus

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Cervus
Temporal range: Pliocene–Recent
Cervus elaphus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Cervidae
Subfamily: Cervinae
Tribe:
Cervini
Genus: Cervus
Linnaeus, 1758
Type species
Cervus elaphus
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. 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, and Elaphurus, and until the late 1980s, it included members of Rucervus and Rusa.[1]

Species

In the third edition of

Cervus canadensis (elk/wapiti) is considered a separate species.[4]

Red deer species group

Within the red deer

monotypic species.[2][4] The Central Asian red deer was considered its own species (including the Yarkand deer, Kashmir stag and Bactrian deer as subspecies) by the IUCN in 2017,[6] and by the American Society of Mammalogists in 2021.[7]

Others members of the red deer group, which may represent separate species, are

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

It has been proposed that the

China and northern Vietnam), and C. taiouanus of Taiwan.[3]

Phylogeny

A 2014 mitochondrial DNA study showed the internal phylogeny of Cervus to be as follows:[10]

Cervus
West Eurasian clade

C. elaphus (Red deer
)

)

East Eurasian clade

C. albirostris (Thorold's deer
)

C. nippon (Sika deer
)

C. canadensis (Elk
)

Rusa

Fossil species

The remains of Cervus are known from the early-mid Pliocene of China.[11]

Mating system

Members of the genus Cervus have polygynous mating systems within harems.[12] These harems consist of several males, numerous females and their young offspring 1–3 years in age[13] 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.[14] 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[15] Female distribution influences the level of polygyny.

Red deer

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.[14] 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.[14]

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.[16]

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.[12]

References

  1. ^
    OCLC 62265494
    .
  2. ^ .
  3. ^ .
  4. ^ – via ResearchGate.
  5. .
  6. ^ Brook, S.M., Donnithorne-Tait, D., Lorenzini, R., Lovari, S., Masseti, M., Pereladova, O., Ahmad, K. & Thakur, M. 2017. Cervus hanglu (amended version of 2017 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T4261A120733024. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T4261A120733024.en. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  7. ^ "Cervus hanglu". ASM Mammal Diversity Database. 1.5. American Society of Mammalogists. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  8. ^
  9. . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  10. .
  11. .
  12. ^ .
  13. .
  14. ^ .
  15. .
  16. .

External links

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