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The phylogeny and behaviour of Cervidae (Ruminantia Pecora)

2002; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 14; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/08927014.2002.9522740

1828-7131

Henri Cap, Stéphane Aulagnier, Pierre Deleporte,

Genetic diversity and population structure

Abstract The phylogenetic relationships of Cervidae within the family and within the infra-order Pecora are still uncertain. Traditionally based on morphological data, phylogenetic trees have increasingly relied on molecular data for the last 15 years, without reaching a satisfying consensus solution. This study intends to explore behaviour, between the rutting and nursing periods, as a new data set for the establishment of phylogenetic relationships between the several species of Cervidae, and also between Cervidae and other living Pecora families (Antilocapridae, Bovidae, Giraffidae and Moschidae). Separate analysis of behavioural data was performed, followed by combined analysis of behavioural characters together with morphological and cytological ones. Simultaneous analysis of all characters showed that Cervidae form a monophyletic group made up of two lineages: plesiometacarpalians or Cervinae (Muntiacus (Dama, Cervus)), and telemetacarpalian cervids including Hydropotinae and Capreolinae (Hydropotes (Capreolus (Alces (Odocoileus, Rangifer)))). Moschidae appear as the sister group of Cervidae, and Bovidae seem more closely related to Cervoidea than are Giraffidae. An Eurasiatic origin for Cervidae is suggested. Our results also indicate that Hydropotes is secondarily antlerless. Ancestral ethotypes were reconstructed for several clades. On the basis of this case study, the relevance of behavioural characters for phylogenetic systematics is discussed. Keywords: phylogenyancestral ethotypebehavioural repertoiresystematicsCervidae