Tenasserim muntjac

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Tenasserim muntjac
Tenasserim muntjac in Dusit Zoo, Bangkok

Tenasserim muntjac in Dusit Zoo , Bangkok

Systematics
without rank: Forehead weapon bearer (Pecora)
Family : Deer (Cervidae)
Subfamily : Cervinae
Tribe : Muntjak deer (Muntiacini)
Genre : Muntjaks ( Muntiacus )
Type : Tenasserim muntjac
Scientific name
Muntiacus feae
( Thomas & Doria , 1889)

The Tenasserim muntjac ( Muntiacus feae ), also known as Feas muntjac , is a species of deer belonging to the genus of muntjacs . It occurs in Myanmar and Thailand. The type epithet honors the Italian naturalist Leonardo Fea .

features

The Tenasserim muntjac reaches a head-torso length of 88 centimeters, a shoulder height of 50 to 55 centimeters and a tail length of 10 centimeters. The weight is 22 kilograms. The top is dark brown with fine yellow spots. The underside is brown, sometimes with brown areas. The legs are black towards the hooves. White stripes can be seen on the front of the hind legs. The sides of the face are dark brown. The crown of the head, tusks, and base of the ears are yellowish-brown, apart from a black stripe that runs above the eyes on the inside of the tusks. The short tail is black on the top and white on the underside. The tusks and lacrimal gland in front of the eye are well developed. The antlers are relatively short.

distribution

Usually the distribution area with the Isthmus of Kra north and east through southern Myanmar and bordering Thailand is given. However, until recently there was little evidence from either country. The terra typica is located in the east of Moulmein in the Muang district of Myanmar. The Thai animals in human care come from the provinces of Surat Thani and Phang-nga . Photos of several muntjacs from the Kaeng Krachan National Park in Thailand probably also represent this species. A presence of the tenasserim muntjak in China has not been confirmed.

Habitat and way of life

There is little information about the habitat and the way of life. The tenasserim muntjac inhabits evergreen forests on hills and mountains. In Myanmar, the species can be observed in the lowlands all year round due to the humid climate. In eastern Thailand it occurs in dry forest types at lower altitudes. The Tenasserim muntjac roams solitary in the undergrowth and prefers fruits and leaves as food.

status

Due to uncertain information about its distribution area, the tenasserim muntjac is classified by the IUCN in the category of “ data deficient ”. Habitat loss and hunting represent a potential threat. In Thailand, forest habitats are well protected, but in the Tenasserim region of Myanmar, the habitat is threatened by the conversion of forests into palm plantations.

Systematics

The taxonomic position of the tenasserim muntjak has not yet been clearly clarified. The holotype was apparently not examined in any of the current papers and the zoologist Peter Grubb , who placed the species in the genus Muntiacus in 1977 , only had photos of the skull available. However, a review of the holotype is the discovery of several new muntjac species in Southeast Asia has become necessary to clarify the characteristics and status of animals in human care (including the Dusit Zoo ) and some specimens in the Natural History Museum to confirm . Muntjacs from Vietnam, which used to be considered a subspecies of the Tenasserim muntjac, are now considered to be a separate taxon Muntiacus rooseveltum .

literature

  • Charles M. Françis: A field guide to the mammals of South-East Asia. New Holland Publishers, London 2008, ISBN 978-1-84537-735-9 .

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