Hyelaphus is a genus of relatively small South and Southeast Asia deer that are overall brown. The three species are all threatened, and two of the species are restricted to a few small islands. Originally considered a subgenus of Axis, genetic evidence indicates that Hyelaphus is closer to the genus Rusa than Axis. Consequently, Hyelaphus was elevated to genus status, leaving the chital as the only member of Axis.
Hyelaphus is a genus of relatively small South and Southeast Asia deer that are overall brown. The three species are all threatened, and two of the species are restricted to a few small islands. Originally considered a subgenus of Axis, genetic evidence indicates that Hyelaphus is closer to the genus Rusa than Axis. Consequently, Hyelaphus was elevated to genus status, leaving the chital as the only member of Axis.