Cervus canadensis
Erxleben, 1777
Wapiti
Taxonomy
Subclass | : Theria |
Infraclass | : Placentalia |
Magnorder | : Boreoeutheria |
Superorder | : Laurasiatheria |
Order | : Artiodactyla |
Suborder | : Ruminantia |
Infraorder | : Pecora |
Family | : Cervidae |
Subfamily | : Cervinae |
Tribe | : Cervini |
Genus | : Cervus |
Species status
Authority citation
Erxleben, J.C.P. 1777. Systema regni animalis per classes, ordines, genera, species, varietates cum synonymia et historia animalium. Classis I. Mammalia. Impensis Weygandianis, Leipzig, 636 pp.
Authority publication link
https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/15873102Original name as described
Cervus Elaphus Canadensis
Other common names
Elk · Alashan Wapiti (Elk) · Izubra · Manchurian Wapiti (Elk) · Merriam's Wapiti (Elk) · Tule Elk · Sichuan Shou · Macneill's Red Deer · Tibetan Shou · Rocky Mountain Wapiti (Elk) · Roosevelt's Wapiti (Elk) · Altai Wapiti (Elk)
Type locality
E Canada.
Biogeographic realm
Palearctic · Nearctic
Country distribution
Kazakhstan · Kyrgyzstan · Russia · Mongolia · China · Bhutan · Canada · United States
Subregion distribution
USA(WA,OR,ID,MT,WY,ND,SD,MN,MI,NE,KS,OK,TX,NM,CO,UT,AZ,NV,CA)
Taxonomy notes
split from C. elaphus, includes alashanicus, macneilli, wallichii, xanthopygus, which were considered distinct by Groves & Grubb 2011; for additional information regarding the MDD's decision to not follow the Groves & Grubb 2011 Ungulate Taxonomy, see 'Subjective decisions' on the 'About' tab
Taxonomy notes citation
Groves, C. P. & Grubb, P. 2011. Ungulate taxonomy. The John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, Maryland. · Lorenzini, R., & Garofalo, L. (2015). Insights into the evolutionary history of Cervus (Cervidae, tribe Cervini) based on Bayesian analysis of mitochondrial marker sequences, with first indications for a new species. Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research, 53(4), 340-349. · Meiri, M., Kosintsev, P., Conroy, K., Meiri, S., Barnes, I., & Lister, A. (2018). Subspecies dynamics in space and time: a study of the red deer complex using ancient and modern DNA and morphology. Journal of Biogeography, 45(2), 367-380.
IUCN Red List status
Least Concern
Species Permalink
https://www.mammaldiversity.org/taxon/1006312Country distribution map
The map below provides a general overview. Most species inhabit only specific regions within countries. Hover over the highlighted regions to see the country name.
Names and synonyms
Present and past (if available) associated names to the species. Click on a name to view its details. If the list is long, scroll down to see more.
Please send any edits, corrections, or unfilled data (including full citations) to mammaldiversity [at] gmail [dot] com.