You can see the relationship with Chital/Axis deer here- same 'pointy' head and dorsal stripe down the back, though the reduced spotting, and dark neck and face are quite different.
Appearances can be deceptive - most recent studies place the species in the genus Rusa along with Timor Deer, rather than Axis (Axis, Hog and Bawean Deer).
Appearances can be deceptive - most recent studies place the species in the genus Rusa along with Timor Deer, rather than Axis (Axis, Hog and Bawean Deer).
It is a very good shot. You can definately see the relationship with Rusa deer (ahem!!)
Seriously- I have always been under the impression they are related to Chital, hence the spotting. But in this case they must be more closely related to Sambar? But they still do look remarkably like Axis in some characteristics(head, dorsal stripe etc)
Yup - Sambar also fall under Rusa. I think in body shape there's a lot of similarity between Philippine Spotted/Prince Alfred's Deer and Timor/Rusa Deer but Sambar (being larger and hairier) is very much a different beast externally.
The scientific name of this species is Rusa alfredi ; the specific name alfredi was bestowed in honour of Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, who presented the type specimen to London Zoo on 5th May 1870.
