The Barbary stag (Cervus elaphus barbarus), also known as the Atlas deer or African elk, is a subspecies of the red deer that is native to North Africa. It is the only deer known to be native to Africa, aside from Megaceroides algericus, which went extinct approximately 6,000 years ago.[2]
The Barbary stag is smaller than the typical red deer. Its body is dark brown with some white spots on its flanks and back. The antlers lack the bez (second) tine.
The Barbary stag is the only member of the deer family that is native to Africa. It thrives in dense, humid forested areas of Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco.[3] It had initially been hunted to extinction in the latter, but specimens from the Tunisian population were reintroduced in the 1990s.[3] One population can be found in Tazekka National Park in the Middle Atlas Mountains.[4]
Nomenclatureedit
Recent genetic studies indicate that the North African red deer population is practically indistinguishable from the Sardinian and Corsican populations, generally referred to as the Corsican red deer. This strongly argues for an ancient introduction of red deer from North Africa to these Mediterranean islands by humans. Further analysis suggests that the Barbary stag, including the Corsican red deer, belongs to a separate species, and should be grouped under the name Cervus corsicanus.[3]
^Grubb, P. (2005). "Cervus elaphus barbarus". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 663. ISBN978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
^Fernandez, Philippe; Bouzouggar, Abdeljalil; Collina-Girard, Jacques; Coulon, Mathieu (July 2015). "The last occurrence of Megaceroides algericus Lyddekker, 1890 (Mammalia, Cervidae) during the middle Holocene in the cave of Bizmoune (Morocco, Essaouira region)". Quaternary International. 374: 154–167. Bibcode:2015QuInt.374..154F. doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2015.03.034. ISSN 1040-6182.
^ abcLe programme d'espèces d'UICN et la Commission UICN de la sauvegarde des espèces et TRAFFIC. "Résumés des Analyses UICN/TRAFFIC des propositions d'amendement aux Annexes de la CITES pour la Quatorzième session de la Conférence des Parties", Retrieved on 2008-12-28.
^Flora and Fauna - Park National de Tazekka, (official web page of the National Park).
Inclusion of Cervus elaphus barbarus (Atlas deer) in Appendix I of CITES 2010-06-15 at the Wayback Machine (with a description of this species)
April 28, 2024
barbary, stag, cervus, elaphus, barbarus, also, known, atlas, deer, african, subspecies, deer, that, native, north, africa, only, deer, known, native, africa, aside, from, megaceroides, algericus, which, went, extinct, approximately, years, herd, feidja, natio. The Barbary stag Cervus elaphus barbarus also known as the Atlas deer or African elk is a subspecies of the red deer that is native to North Africa It is the only deer known to be native to Africa aside from Megaceroides algericus which went extinct approximately 6 000 years ago 2 Barbary stag A herd at El Feidja National Park Scientific classification Domain Eukaryota Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Artiodactyla Family Cervidae Subfamily Cervinae Genus Cervus Species C elaphus Subspecies C e barbarus Trinomial name Cervus elaphus barbarusBennett 1833 1 Synonyms Cervus barbarus Contents 1 Description 2 Range habitat 3 Nomenclature 4 Predators 5 References 6 External linksDescription edit nbsp A female hind at Tierpark Berlin The Barbary stag is smaller than the typical red deer Its body is dark brown with some white spots on its flanks and back The antlers lack the bez second tine Range habitat edit nbsp A male at Tierpark Berlin The Barbary stag is the only member of the deer family that is native to Africa It thrives in dense humid forested areas of Algeria Tunisia and Morocco 3 It had initially been hunted to extinction in the latter but specimens from the Tunisian population were reintroduced in the 1990s 3 One population can be found in Tazekka National Park in the Middle Atlas Mountains 4 Nomenclature editRecent genetic studies indicate that the North African red deer population is practically indistinguishable from the Sardinian and Corsican populations generally referred to as the Corsican red deer This strongly argues for an ancient introduction of red deer from North Africa to these Mediterranean islands by humans Further analysis suggests that the Barbary stag including the Corsican red deer belongs to a separate species and should be grouped under the name Cervus corsicanus 3 Predators editPredators of the Barbary stag include or included the Barbary lion the Atlas bear the Barbary leopard and the African wolf but these have become either endangered or extinct in the region where the Barbary stag occurs References edit Grubb P 2005 Cervus elaphus barbarus In Wilson D E Reeder D M eds Mammal Species of the World A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference 3rd ed Johns Hopkins University Press p 663 ISBN 978 0 8018 8221 0 OCLC 62265494 Fernandez Philippe Bouzouggar Abdeljalil Collina Girard Jacques Coulon Mathieu July 2015 The last occurrence of Megaceroides algericus Lyddekker 1890 Mammalia Cervidae during the middle Holocene in the cave of Bizmoune Morocco Essaouira region Quaternary International 374 154 167 Bibcode 2015QuInt 374 154F doi 10 1016 j quaint 2015 03 034 ISSN 1040 6182 a b c Le programme d especes d UICN et la Commission UICN de la sauvegarde des especes et TRAFFIC Resumes des Analyses UICN TRAFFIC des propositions d amendement aux Annexes de la CITES pour la Quatorzieme session de la Conference des Parties Retrieved on 2008 12 28 Flora and Fauna Park National de Tazekka official web page of the National Park External links editUS Fish amp Wildlife Service entry for the Barbary stag permanent dead link Description Spanish Inclusion of Cervus elaphus barbarus Atlas deer in Appendix I of CITES Archived 2010 06 15 at the Wayback Machine with a description of this species Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Barbary stag amp oldid 1214765428, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
