Elk Distribution in Mexico: A Critical Review.

Wildlife Society Bulletin 31, No. 4 (Winter, 2003), pp. 1272-1276
Published by: Wiley
Article Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3784478

Abstract:

Several authors have reported that elk (Cervus elaphus) were historically distributed in Mexico. The reported distribution was based upon an old report of an observation in 1892, on bones excavated from one archaeological site, and on the interpretation of old Spanish documents. We critically evaluated evidence for elk having been historically distributed in Mexico. Translations of old documents and confusion in the use of common names have played an important role in the interpretation that elk historically occurred in Mexico. The elk remains excavated in an archaeological cave site in Cuatrocienegas was the only specimen ever reported in Mexico. An examination of these purported elk remains indicated that they were misidentified, leaving no physical evidence for the presence of elk in Mexico. Historical biogeography suggested that by the late Holocene the southernmost elk distribution was in Arizona, New Mexico, and northern Texas. Available information indicated that elk have never occurred naturally in Mexico.

Elk Distribution in Mexico: A Critical Review. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261826126_Elk_Distribution_in_Mexico_A_Critical_Review [accessed Apr 17 2018].