Colombia’s biodiversity has once again taken center stage on the global scientific map. Researchers have identified a new genus of deer in the country, named Andinocervus rufinus, a discovery that redefines current knowledge of South American cervids and underscores the importance of the Northern Andes as a hotspot of biological diversity.
The discovery was led by the Humboldt Institute in collaboration with international scientists and was based on genetic analyses that revealed this species belongs to a completely independent lineage.
For decades, this animal was known as Mazama rufina. However, recent studies showed that it does not share a close evolutionary origin with other deer in the genus Mazama, prompting researchers to propose the creation of a new taxonomic genus — an uncommon development in the study of large mammals in South America.
A deer exclusive to the Northern Andes: Andinocervus rufinus
Andinocervus rufinus, also known as the paramo red deer, inhabits high-mountain ecosystems between 1,000 and 3,700 meters above sea level, primarily in montane forests and Andean paramos. Its distribution spans Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela, although Colombia plays a key role by hosting representative populations and serving as a central area for its study.
In Colombia, this deer has been recorded in areas such as Murillo, Tolima, and other sectors of the Andean range, where it often goes unnoticed due to its elusive behavior and low population density. The species is currently classified as vulnerable, facing threats such as deforestation, agricultural and livestock expansion, poaching, and the effects of climate change, which reduce and fragment paramo ecosystems.
According to scientists, recognizing it as a distinct genus is not merely a change in name; it means understanding that it is a more restricted and evolutionarily unique population, requiring more specific and urgent conservation strategies.
Deer species in Colombia
With the creation of the genus Andinocervus, Colombia now recognizes five species of deer grouped into three genera, positioning the country as one of the most diverse in cervids in South America.
The genus Odocoileus is represented by the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), widely distributed across the Eastern Plains, Caribbean dry forests, and lower Andean regions.
@mvzkatiamoreno Venado cola blanca #odocoileusvirginianus #ranchos #ranchocinegetico #fyp #veterinariadevenados ♬ Un Consejo – Raúl Beltran
Meanwhile, the genus Mazama includes species such as the red brocket deer (Mazama americana), native to the humid rainforests of the Amazon and Choco; the gray brocket or brown corzuela (Mazama gouazoubira), which inhabits open areas and dry forests in eastern Colombia; and the paramo deer (Mazama bricenii), found in Andean regions of Colombia and Venezuela.
The most significant development is the inclusion of Andinocervus rufinus as the sole representative of its genus, officially recognized in 2026.