Tell me what you eat and I’ll tell you…where you live: an updated review of the worldwide distribution and foraging ecology of the fallow deer (Dama dama)

Despite being widely spread and a source of potential harm to host ecosystems and human activities, a review of the worldwide distribution of the fallow deer (FD, Dama dama) has been missing since 1980. In this study, we provide a review of the existing literature on the species distribution, integrating it with the available information on its feeding preferences across its spatial distribution. Also, utilizing the software VOSviewer, we conduct a bibliometric analysis, investigating the most common and discussed topics connected to the topic, as well as their temporal trends. Our results show that, despite its widespread presence, the distribution of the species is only partially well documented (mainly in Europe), while elsewhere there is no general consensus and the sources are outdated and inaccurate. About the diet, it is generally accepted and known that the species has an extremely wide spectrum of food preferences, with food habits depending on resources availability. The local sources debating the food preferences of the species are once again either scarce or outdated, with the exception of Europe, North and South America. Last, the results of the bibliometric analysis showed that studies discussing the FD jointly with other cervid species are a common topic, followed by the role of the FD as farmed or game species, and the issue of parasites and diseases related to the species. The opening to these topics seems to be recent. We advise studies ad hoc that may better describe the current demographical situation and diet.