The unique Mesola red deer of Italy: taxonomic recognition (Cervus elaphus italicus nova ssp., Cervidae) would endorse conservation#

摘要: AbstractMost likely, the red deer Cervus elaphus Linnaeus, 1758 from Bosco della Mesola Nature Reserve are last autochthonous in Italian peninsula. In 20th century, they nearly became extinct and have only recently recovered to higher numbers (at least c. 150 head 2010). Apart their historical relevance fauna, also evolutionarily distinct at both genetic morphological level. However, taxonomically, classified as part of Central European subspecies (Cervus hippelaphus), which encompasses most mainland. While we fully aware high degree arbitrariness subspecific designations, it is a fact that taxonomic recognition supports conservation, because legal category whereas other designations (such significant units, ESUs) not. We therefore argue should be assigned own, ...