 Rusa alfredi
Philippine spotted deer |
Taxonomy | Description
| Reproduction | Ecology
| Behavior | Distribution
| Conservation | Remarks
| Literature |
| Taxonomy
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Rusa alfredi [Sclater, 1870].
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Citation: Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1870: 381.
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Type locality: Philippines.
The initial taxonomic record (above) is taken from Wilson and Reeder (1993).
Prior to 1983, Rusa alfredi was considered to be a subspecies
of R. unicolor, although some authors report it as a subspecies of
R. mariannus (Grubb and Groves, 1983; Whitehead, 1993).
Melanaxis breviceps and M. masbatensis are invalid synonyms
for R. alfredi (Grubb and Groves, 1983; Wilson and Reeder,1993).
This species is monotypic, although two genetically isolated populations
exist on separate islands (Grubb and Groves, 1983; Oliver et al.,
1991).
General Characteristics
This small, short-legged deer has a crouched build, similar to that seen
in agoutis [Dasyproctidae: Rodentia] and duikers
[Cephalophinae: Artiodactyla]
(Grubb and Groves, 1983; Geist, 1998). It is the largest endemic species
to the west Visayan islands of the Philippines. Body length is about
128 cm, and shoulder height is about 70 cm. No measurements of weight
have been recorded in the sources investigated.
Reported measurements for Philippine spotted deer (Rusa
alfredi) |
| Source |
Adult Weight |
Head & Body Length |
Shoulder Height
|
Tail Length |
| Rabor, 1977 |
- |
129.5 cm 
126.9 cm  |
77.0 cm
71.5 cm |
12.5 cm
11.7 cm |
| Sclater, 1870 |
- |
- |
76.2 cm |
8.9 cm |
Taylor, 1934
(in Nowak, 1991) |
- |
- |
64 cm |
- |
| Whitehead, 1993 |
- |
- |
71 cm |
- |
The pelage is fine, soft, and dense, and very different from that of other
rusine deer (Grubb and Groves, 1983). The overall color is a dark,
almost blackish, brown, which may be tinged with red [from observations of
animals from Negros] (Rabor, 1977; Grubb and Groves, 1983). This
deer cannot be mistaken for any other deer species native to the Philippines
due to the presence of its nominal spots [all others are solid in color]
(Whitehead, 1993). Overall, the spotting pattern of R. alfredi
resembles that seen in some juvenile rusine deer (Grubb and Groves, 1983).
White to buff-colored oval spots are present along the sides, being
large and scattered on the flanks, but growing smaller and fading anteriorly,
disappearing at the level of the shoulders (Grubb and Groves, 1983; Whitehead,
1993). A faint row of spots lines either side of the dark mid-dorsal
line, and there is usually a regular row of spots along the lower flanks
(Grubb and Groves, 1983; Whitehead, 1993). The undersides and insides
of the buttocks are whitish (Whitehead, 1993). This light coloration
is especially noticeable along the groin and axillary region, and the inner
surfaces of legs (Grubb and Groves, 1983). The legs are paler than
body, especially below the hock and carpus (Rabor, 1977; Grubb and Groves,
1983). A gland on the metatarsus (foreleg) is marked by a dark spot
(Sclater, 1870). This species supposedly lacks interdigital glands,
but this has not been substantiated (see Grubb and Groves, 1983). The
tail is relatively short and short-haired, being dark brown above and whitish
underneath (Grubb and Groves, 1983).
The skull is narrow compared to its length, and the face is rather pointed
(Grubb and Groves, 1983). Skull measurements may be found in Rabor
(1977) and Grubb and Groves (1983). The skulls of males are slightly
larger than females, and the upper canines are absent in both sexes (Rabor,
1977; Grubb and Groves, 1983). The head is a paler brown than the body,
with an even lighter region around the eyes (Grubb and Groves, 1983). The
underside of lower jaw, chin, lower lip are a creamy white color, contrasting
sharply with the otherwise deep brown face and neck (Grubb and Groves, 1983;
Whitehead, 1993). The muzzle and forehead are dark, and the preorbital
gland is surrounded by black hairs (Grubb and Groves, 1983). The ears
are relatively small, only 8.9-10.5 cm long, and although black behind, the
inner surfaces are densely covered with white hair (Sclater, 1870; Rabor,
1977; Grubb and Groves, 1983).
Typical of most cervids, only male Philippine spotted deer bear antlers
(Whitehead, 1993). The antlers grow from short bony pedicels about
4.5 cm long (Grubb and Groves, 1983). The short, stout antlers are
rugose (bumpy) and have a small brow tine (Grubb and Groves, 1983; Whitehead,
1993). A male from Negros had antlers 24.4 cm long, with a span of
24.3 cm (Grubb and Groves, 1983).
Ontogeny and Reproduction
Whitehead (1993) reports the gestation period to be about 8 months.
According to Montulet (1984, in Whitehead, 1993), the rut occurs in
November/December, with the resulting offspring being born in May and June.
Rabor (1977) reports that a single fawn about a month old was captured
during the third week of April, setting the birth date at the end of March.
Young are spotted at birth (Whitehead, 1993). Males begin to
grow antlers after the end of their first year, and remain in "velvet" for
an extended period of time (Rabor, 1977).
Ecology and Behavior
Very little is known about the ecology or behaviour of the Philippine spotted
deer. As a result of human encroachment, it is now believed to only
inhabit steep, steep, rugged slopes forested by dipterocarps which are relatively
inaccessible to humans (Cox, 1987). Animals were once found in the
extensive cogonal areas of Negros from the lowlands and up to1,200 meters
above sea level (Rabor, 1977). R. alfredi relies on dense
forest in which to retreat for safety (Rabor, 1977).
The Philippine spotted deer feeds at night, and as a result is often hunted
with headlights, as they will freeze in the beams of light (Rabor, 1977).
The primary constituents of the diet are young shoots of cogon grass
found in clearings and young low-growing leaves and buds within the forest
(Rabor, 1977). Individuals are often found in recently burnt forest
clearings, where they lick the ashes (likely for their mineral content) and
feed on the newly shoots (Rabor, 1977).
During the rut, males produce a roar-like vocalization (Whitehead, 1993).
This vocalizing often occurs from a raised point, and resembles the
barking of a dog if heard at a distance (Rabor, 1977).
Distribution
R. alfredi is endemic to Philippines (Grubb and Groves, 1983).
Rabor (1977) reported that R. alfredi was found on Cebu, Guimaras,
Leyte, Masbate, Negros, Panay, and Samar. However, in a three month
survey, Cox (1987) found this species to be extirpated from Cebu, Bohol,
Siquijor, and likely Masbate. Oliver et al. (1991) expressed
doubt that the reports from Samar and Leyte referred to R. alfredi,
as Rusa mariannus is known to inhabit the island. Currently,
R. alfredi is only believed to exist on the Philippine islands of
Negros and the western Mount Baloy-Mount Madjaas region of Panay, having
been extirpated from an estimated 95% of its former range (Oliver et
al., 1991).
Countries: Philippines (IUCN, 2006).
Range Map (Localities redrawn from Oliver et al., 1991)
Conservation Status
R. alfredi is classified as endangered (Criteria B1+2c) by the IUCN
(2002), but is not listed by CITES. The major threats to the continued
survival of this species include loss of habitat due to logging and agriculture,
hybridization with R. mariannus, and hunting, which is most severe
in the dry season which extends from January to June (Cox, 1987; Oliver et
al., 1991). A captive breeding group was set up in 1982 near Miagao
in southern Panay, although the survival of the Philippine spotted deer is
still uncertain (Cox, 1987). Thankfully, the fear expressed by Cox
(1987) that a viable population of this species would not survive longer
than 10-15 years does not appear to have been founded.
Remarks
The Philippine spotted deer is sometimes called Prince Alfred's sambar or
the Visayan deer (Nowak, 1991; Whitehead, 1993). The species is named
after His Royal Highness Prince Alfred, who sent the first known specimen
to P. L. Sclater (Sclater, 1870).
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Local names (from Rabor, 1977)
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Lasao, usa [East Visayan]
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Around Lake Balinsasayao: dulom (a very large male), manginum
(medium-sized or yearling male), libay (female), and pero (fawn).
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French
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Sambar de Prince Alfred (Whitehead, 1993)
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German
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Prinz-Alfred's Hirsch (Whitehead, 1993)
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Literature
Cited
Cox, R. 1987. The Philippine spotted deer and the Visayan warty pig. Oryx
21(1): 37-42.
Geist, V. 1998. Three-pronged Old World deer. In
Deer of the World: Their Evolution, Behaviour, and Ecology. By
Valerius Geist. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 1998. pp.
55-80.
Grubb, C., and C. P. Groves. 1983. Notes on the taxonomy of the
deer (Mammalia: Cervidae) of the Philippines. Zoologischer Anzeiger;
210 (1-2): 119-144.
IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources).
2002. 2002 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Available online at
http://www.redlist.org/
Nowak, R. M. [editor]. 1991. Walker's Mammals of the World (Fifth Edition).
Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press.
Oliver, W. L. R., C. R. Cox, and L. L. Dolar. 1991. The
Philippine spotted deer conservation project. Oryx; 25(4): 199-205.
Rabor, D. S. 1977. Philippine Birds and Mammals: A project of
the U. P. Science Education Center. Quezon City: University of Philippines
Press.
Sclater, P. L. 1870. (Description of Cervus alfredi).
Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London; 1870: 380-381.
Whitehead, K. G. 1993. The Whitehead Encyclopedia of Deer.
Stillwater, MN: Voyageur Press, Inc.
Wilson, D. E., and D. M. Reeder [editors]. 1993. Mammal Species of the World
(Second Edition). Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press.
Available online at
http://nmnhwww.si.edu/msw/
Additional Resources
Alcala, E. L. 1993. Blood values of the endangered Philippine
spotted deer (Cervus alfredi Sclater). Asia Life Sciences; 2(2):
235-240.
Alcala, E. L. 1995. Aspects of veterinary care and management
of the Philippine spotted deer (Cervus alfredi, Sclater) in captivity.
Silliman Journal; 37(2): 1-17.
Banks, C. 1997. Melbourne Zoo's partnership role in the conservation
of threatened endemic Philippine fauna. Sylvatrop; 5(1-2): 105-112.
Cox, C. R. 1985. A field survey of the distribution and conservation
of the wild pig (Sus barbatus cebifrons) and Prince Alfred's spotted
rusa (Cervus alfredi) in the Visayan Islands, Republic of the Philippines.
Unpublished report to the IUCN/SSC Pigs and Peccaries Specialist Group.
27 pp.
Cranbrook, Earl of. 1992. Mammals of South-East Asia. New
York: Oxford University Press, 1992.
Deer Specialist Group. 1990. Deer Specialist Group Newsletter.
IUCN Species Survival Commission: no 8.
Evans, T. D., G. C. L. Dutson, and T. M. Brooks [editors]. 1993. Cambridge
Philippines Rainforest Project 1991, Final Report, Study Report no
54. BirdLife International, Cambridge, 96 pp.
Frädrich, H. 1987. Philippinen-Hirsche im Zoo Berlin - Ein
Rückblick? Bongo 12: 13-16.
Frädrich, H. 1987. The husbandry of tropical and temperate
cervids in the West Berlin Zoo. In Biology and Management of
the Cervidae. Edited by C. M. Wemmer. Washington, D. C.:
Smithsonian Institution Press. pp. 422-428.
Heaney & Regalado. 1998. Vanishing Treasures of the Philippine Rain Forest.
The Field Museum
Lepiten, M. V. 1995. Demographic assessment and captive management
of the Philippine Spotted Deer (Cervus alfredi). Unpublished dissertation
to the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust and University of Kent, 32pp.
Lernould, J-M. 1993. Philippine spotted deer (Cervus
alfredi) Conservation Program: report on progress to 31st December 1992.
Parc Zoologique et Botanique, Mulhouse, France. Unpublished. 2 pp.
Montulet, J-P. 1984. Les Cervides du Monde Entier. Paris:
Editions, Lechevalier.
Oliver, W. L. R. 1993. Threatened endemic artiodactyls of the
Philippines: status and future priorities. International Zoo Yearbook;
32: 131-144.
Oliver, W. L. R. 1996. Philippine spotted deer (Cervus alfredi)
conservation program. IUCN/SSC Deer Specialist Group Newsletter 13: 13-14.
Oliver, W. L. R., and C. R. Cox. 1990. The present status of
captive Philippine deer, Cervus alfredi and C. marianus.
Unpublished report to Zoological Society of San Diego and the Mulhouse
Zoo. 9 pp.
Oliver, W. L. R., and C. R. Cox. 1990. Philippine spotted deer
(Cervus alfredi) captive breeding programme: notes on 'World Herd' founders
(as of May, 1990). Unpublished report to Zoological Society of San
Diego and the Mulhouse Zoo. 4 pp.
Oliver, W. L. R., and R. Wirth. 1996. Conservation programmes
for threatened endemic species in the Philippines. International Zoo
News; 43(5): 337-348; No 270
Oliver, W. L. R., L. L. Dolar, and E. Alcala. 1992. The Philippine
spotted deer, Cervus alfredi Sclater, conservation program.
Silliman Journal; 36(1): 47-54.
Paguntalan, L. M. J. 1999. Habitat utilization of the Philippine
Spotted Deer (Cervus alfredi Sclater) in Calinawan, Enrique Villanueva,
Sibula, Negros Oriental, Philippines. Unpublished report to Centre for Tropical
Conservation Studies, Silliam University, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.
18pp.
Taylor, E. H. 1934. Philippine Land Mammals. Philippine
Bureau of Science Monograph, no 30, 548 pp.
Villamor, C. I. 1992. Deer captive breeding practices at a glance.
Canopy International; 17(3): 10-12.
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