Identifican nuevo género de venado en Colombia: así es el Andinocervus rufinus
El Instituto Humboldt anunció que una especie de venado andino fue reclasificada dentro de un nuevo género científico. Se trata de Andinocervus rufinu...
TL;DR
- The Andean deer species *Mazama rufina* has been reclassified as *Andinocervus rufinus*, belonging to a unique genus.
- Genetic analysis confirmed *Andinocervus rufinus* represents a distinct evolutionary lineage separate from other South American deer.
- The species is found in the northern Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela, inhabiting mountain forests and páramos between 1,000 and 3,700 meters altitude.
- Physically, it is one of the smallest South American deer (10-15 kg) with reddish fur, black legs, a dark facial mask, and a distinctively deep lacrimal fossa on its skull.
- The reclassification is supported by a study published in the journal *Zootaxa*, led by Héctor E. Ramírez-Chaves.
- *Andinocervus rufinus* is currently classified as vulnerable due to small, fragmented populations and threats including roadkill and hunting.
- Protecting this species is considered an urgent priority to conserve a unique evolutionary lineage in the Andes.