Dama is a
genus of
deer in the subfamily
Cervinae, commonly referred to as fallow deer.[2]
Name
The name fallow is derived from the deer's
pale brown colour. The
Latin word dāma or damma, used for
roe deer,
gazelles, and
antelopes, lies at the root of the modern scientific name, as well as the
GermanDamhirsch,
Frenchdaim,
Dutchdamhert, and
Italiandaino. In
Serbo-Croatian, the name for the fallow deer is jelen lopatar ("shovel deer"), due to the form of its antlers. The
Modern Hebrew name of the fallow deer is yachmur (יחמור).
Confirmed native only to
Turkey, but possibly native to the
Italian Peninsula, the
Balkans, and the island of
Rhodes in
Greece; introduced from
Roman times onwards to the rest of
Europe, and around the world in more recent times
Some taxonomists classify the
Persian fallow deer as a
subspecies (D. d. mesopotamica),[1] while others, such as the
IUCN, treat it as a separate species (D. mesopotamica).[3] Based on genetic evidence, Dama is considered to be closest living relative of the extinct genus Megaloceros.[4] The circumscription of the genus is uncertain, with some authors choosing to include taxa that are otherwise placed in the genus Pseudodama, which may be ancestral to Dama.[5]
The earliest species of Dama appeared around the Pliocene-Pleistocene boundary approximately 2.6 million years ago,[6] or around the beginning of the Middle Pleistocene approximately 0.8 million years ago,[7] depending on the species included in the genus. The relationships of most Dama species to each other and to other fossil deer are controversial, with no overall consensus on their relationships. The earliest Dama species lack palmate (broad and flattened) antlers, with this trait only developing in D. pelleponesica, D. clactoniana, and the two living species.[5]
Extinct species, based on van der Made et al. 2023:[5]
Dama nestii known from the Early Pleistocene of Europe, also assigned to the genus Pseudodama.[6]
Dama farnetensis known from the Early Pleistocene of Europe,[5] also assigned to Pseudodama.[9]
Dama pelleponesica known from the early Middle Pleistocene of Greece, with similar remains referred to as Dama aff. pelleponesica known from the late Middle Pleistocene of
Azokh Cave in Azerbaijan. Species not universally recognised as valid.[5]
Dama roberti known from the early Middle Pleistocene of Europe.[9]
Dama celiae known from the Middle Pleistocene of Spain[5]
Dama clactoniana, known from the late Middle Pleistocene of Europe, thought to be the ancestor of the two living species.[5]
^Saltz, David; Rabiei, Alireza; Daujat, Julie; Baker, Karis; Noam Werner (IUCN SSC Deer SG / General Curator EAZA Deer TAG Chair, The Tisch Family Zoological Gardens (July 25, 2015).
"IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Dama mesopotamica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.