Muntiacus vuquangensis (Do Tuoc, Vu Van Dung, Dawson, Arctander & Mackinnon, 1994)

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2011, Cervidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 2 Hoofed Mammals, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 350-443 : 410

publication ID

https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6514377

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6514411

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03A087C4-FFC6-FFC7-FF0D-FEBDE573F8A5

treatment provided by

Conny

scientific name

Muntiacus vuquangensis
status

 

4. View Plate 15: Cervidae

Giant Muntjac

Muntiacus vuquangensis View in CoL

French: Muntjac géant / German: Riesenmuntjak / Spanish: Muntiaco gigante

Other common names: Large-antlered Muntjac

Taxonomy. Megamuntiacus vuquangensis Tuoc et al., 1994 ,

Vu Quang Nature Reserve ( Vietnam).

Some individuals belonging to this species were observed several decades ago but they were interpreted as large-sized specimens of M. muntjak . It has only recently been recognized as a new species. The phylogenetic relationships with other muntjacs have been studied, but with contrasting results; a Chinese team considered it in the same clade with M. reevesi , but an American study suggested more affinities with the M. rooseveltorum clade. Monotypic.

Distribution. Annamite Mts (LLaos & Vietnam) and E Cambodia. View Figure

Descriptive notes. Head-body 110-115 cm, tail 17 cm, shoulder height 65-70 cm; weight 34 kg. The largest species of muntjac, with a short, broad, triangular tail; stout and short pedicles; antlers relatively long (about 23 cm in length, up to 28-5 cm) with a well-developed brow tine (on average 8 cm in length). The coat is yellow-brown to tan; white spot on knee in males.

Habitat. It is possibly tied to the evergreen and semi-evergreen forests of the Annamite Range, and normally occurs below 1000 m above sea level, although it has been found at altitudes from 500 m to 1200 m. Although seemingly a denizen of primary forest, it has also been observed in second growth.

Food and Feeding. It is a browser and a fruit-eater.

Breeding. Little is known, but only single young have been observed with females. A female Giant Muntjac was pregnant with a 165 g fetus in January.

Activity patterns. The periods of activity have not been documented, butit is likely diurnal, like most other muntjacs.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Although virtually unstudied, adults seem to be solitary.

Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix I. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List, due to the restricted range, the very low density, and presumably the small and decreasing total population. The Giant Muntjac continues to be threatened by heavy hunting pressure, as well as by habitat degradation due to logging and slash-and-burn agriculture.

Bibliography. Amato et al. (2000), Bauer (1997), Duckworth (1998), Evans etal. (2000), Schaller & Vrba (1996), Timmins et al. (1998), Timmins, Duckworth & Long (2008c).

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Mammalia

Order

Artiodactyla

SubOrder

Ruminantia

InfraOrder

Pecora

Family

Cervidae

Genus

Muntiacus

Loc

Muntiacus vuquangensis

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier 2011
2011
Loc

Megamuntiacus vuquangensis

Tuoc 1994
1994
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