Modern indigenous artiodactyls are represented by four Middle Ajnerican families, and three species are entirely restricted to the Nearctic areas of Mexico—the pronghorn antelope, bison, and mountain sheep. While both peccaries are found throughout, only one cervid (white-tailed deer) is ubiquitous. The mule deer occurs no farther south than northern Mexico, while the brocket deer are southern in distribution, extending to southern Mexico (red brocket) and Panama (brown brocket). Artiodactyls are and were favorite sources of meat, bone, and hides, and both peccaries and deer had rich symbolic associations for pre-Columbian peoples. One of the most widespread species and most valuable resources in the area, the white tailed deer is the primary fertility symbol in Mexico and Central America. It plays a central role in creation myths and is commonly associated with the sky and sun. Although neither the peccary nor the white-tailed deer was truly domesticated, they may have been husbanded in various places. Archaeological and soil analyses suggest that animals were penned for accessibility, while dietary studies document corn-feeding in some regions.