What is "cervus canadensis"

Wapiti \Wap"i*ti\, n. [Probably the Iroquois name. Bartlett.] (Zo["o]l.) The American elk ( Cervus Canadensis). It is closely related to the European red deer, which it somewhat exceeds in size.

Note: By some writers it is thought to be a variety of the red deer, but it is considered a distinct species by others. It is noted for the large, branching antlers of the male.

elk \elk\ ([e^]lk), n. [Icel. elgr; akin to Sw. elg, AS. eolh, OHG. elaho, MHG. elch, cf. L. alces; perh. akin to E. eland.] (Zo["o]l.) A large deer, of several species. The European elk Alces alces (formerly Alces machlis or Cervus alces) is closely allied to the American moose. The American elk, or wapiti ( Cervus Canadensis) the largest member of the deer family, has large, spreading antlers and is closely related to the European stag. See Moose, and Wapiti.

Irish elk (Paleon.), a large, extinct, Quaternary deer ( Cervus giganteus) with widely spreading antlers. Its remains have been found beneath the peat of swamps in Ireland and England. See Illustration in Appendix; also Illustration of Antler.

Cape elk (Zo["o]l.), the eland.