Lorenzo Camerano (1856-1917) and his contribution to large mammal phylogeny and taxonomy, with particular reference to the genera Capra, Rupicapra and Rangifer

In this paper, we commemorate the professional activity of Prof. Lorenzo Camerano 100 years after his death on 22 November 1917, with a special emphasis on his mammalogical studies. Our two aims are to widespread some of his little-known results on the systematic and phylogenetics of ungulates (particularly of the genus Capra) and to increase knowledge about that particular period of taxonomic research in Europe before the advent of the New Synthesis. Of particular interest are some of the results concerning the recent evolutionary history of chamois in Western Europe. Camerano, through specimen-based research based on abundant material, was able to design a phylogeographic picture that was confirmed by genetic studies only a few years ago.