Australian Biological Resources Study

Australian Faunal Directory

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Family CERVIDAE

Deer


Compiler and date details

December 2010 - Updated by Stephen M. Jackson, c/- Queensland Museum, Brisbane, following Van Dyck & Strahan (2008)

31 December 1998 - J.A. Mahoney & D.W. Walton (1988); updated by Barry J. Richardson (1999), Centre for Biostructural and Biomolecular Research, University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury

Introduction

The Cervidae, or deer, belong to the order Artiodactyla. None are native to Australia but were introduced by Europeans. Though many different species were introduced only a few species are now found here in the wild, the chital Axis axis, the red Cervus elaphus, the fallow Cervus dama, the hog Cervus porcinus, the rusa Cervus timorensis and the sambar Cervus unicolor.

The dental formula is 0/3, 0-1/0-1, 3/3, 3/3 = 32-34. There are two openings to the lacrimal duct, antorbital pits are present, and a vacuity occurs between the nasal and lacrimal bones. Males, but not females, in most genera have one pair of antlers. Antlers are outgrowths of the frontal bones and are shed each year. There are four digits on each foot.

All deer are herbivorous ruminants, mainly browsers. They form herds and are found from the tropics to the tundra in both the New and Old Worlds.

 

History of changes

Note that this list may be incomplete for dates prior to September 2013.
Published As part of group Action Date Action Type Compiler(s)
16-Dec-2010 03-Jun-2020 MODIFIED
12-Feb-2010 (import)