Bibliometric analysis of research on deer (Artiodactyla: Cervidae) in China: current status and future trends
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT Cervidae are widespread globally and hold substantial economic, cultural, and scientific value. China, encompassing the biogeographic area where deer originated, possesses a high diversity of Cervidae. However, these animals face significant threats from overhunting, habitat fragmentation, and loss. Despite an increasing number of studies on Cervidae in China, comprehensive and systematic reports in this field remain scarce. To explore the status and future trends of deer research in China, we conducted a bibliometric analysis of the literature on Chinese Cervidae. Our results demonstrated that: 1) the field of Cervidae research in China is developing rapidly; 2) the research content mainly focused on the zoology, genetics, and ecology of five out of the 15 Chinese deer species, namely Cervus nippon Temminck, 1838, Cervus elaphus Linnaeus, 1758, Capreolus pygargus (Pallas, 1771), Elaphurus davidianus Milne-Edwards, 1866, and Elaphodus cephalophus Milne-Edwards, 1872; 3) Animals, Animal Production Science, and Global Ecology and Conservation were the journals with the most contributions in Chinese deer research; 4) China, USA, and the United Kingdom devoted the most to Chinese deer research, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences were the institutions that contributed the most in this field; 5) Elaphurus davidianus, a species that is sympatric with giant pandas, camera trap technology, and model-based analyses were the new research hotspots. These results indicate remarkable achievements in Chinese deer studies but reveal evident species imbalance in previous research. Future studies should focus on other Chinese deer species and enhance international cooperation. Big data analysis, bioinformatics, and eco-informatics will aid future research and conservation efforts.
Source: Zoologia (Curitiba)
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $250
OpenAlex ID: W7223690076