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.
General References
Groves, C.P. & Bishop, J.F. 1989. Cervidae. pp. 1054-1060 in Walton, D.W. & Richardson, B.J. (eds). Fauna of Australia. Mammalia. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service Vol. 1B 827 pp.
Grubb, P. 1993. Order Artiodactyla. pp. 377-414 in Wilson, D.E. & Reeder, D-A. M. (eds). Mammal species of the world: A taxonomic and geographic reference. Second Edition. Washington : Smithsonian Institute 1206 pp.
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16-Dec-2010 | 03-Jun-2020 | MODIFIED | ||
| 12-Feb-2010 | (import) |