Capreolinae

Capreolinae is a subfamily within the deer family Cervidae. It comprises many species commonly referred to as the New World deer, though several members occur across Europe and Asia as well. Capreolinae is one of the two primary subfamilies within Cervidae, the other being Cervinae (Old World deer). The group includes a wide range of forms, from large species like the moose to small forest-dwelling deer.

Representative genera include Alces, Rangifer, Capreolus, Odocoileus, Mazama, Pudu, Blastocerus, and Hydropotes. Species such as the moose (Alces alces), reindeer or caribou (Rangifer tarandus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), white-tailed deer and mule deer (Odocoileus spp.), marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus), pudu (Pudu puda), and various mazama deer illustrate the diversity of the subfamily. These deer inhabit a range of environments in North and South America, Europe, and Asia, from Arctic and boreal forests to temperate woodlands and wetlands.

Ecology and biology common to Capreolinae include a herbivorous diet primarily consisting of leaves, twigs, fruits, and grasses. Many species exhibit seasonal movements in response to food availability and snow. Antlers are typically shed and regrown annually, with breeding seasons varying by species and region. Reproduction generally yields one fawn per year, though twins occur in some species.

Taxonomy and evolution notes: Phylogenetic studies support Capreolinae as a distinct clade within Cervidae, but historical classifications have varied and taxonomic boundaries have shifted with new genetic data.