Rusa marianna (Desmarest, 1822)

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 : 418

22 .

Philippine Brown Deer

Rusa marianna

French: Cerf des Philippines / German: Philippinen-Hirsch / Spanish: Sambar de Filipinas

Other common names: Philippine Deer, Philippine Sambar

Taxonomy. Cervus mariannus Desmarest, 1822 ,

Mariana Islands (introduced).

Previously included in R. unicolor . Three subspecies are recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

R.m.mariannaDesmarest,1822—Luzon|andassociatedsmallerIs.

R.m.barandanaHeude,1888—MindoroI.

R. m. nigella Hollister, 1813 — Mindanao, Basilan, Samar, and Leyte Is.

In addition to its native range, introduced populations of this species are found on the islands of Guam, Saipan and Rota in the Mariana Is and Pohnpei in the Caroline Is. The Philippine Brown Deer was also introduced to the Japanese Bonin Islands, where it later became extinct.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 140 cm, tail 8-12 cm, shoulder height 55-70 cm; weight 40-60 kg. Small to medium-sized dark brown deer with an unspotted coat, darker above, paler on underparts and on legs. Fawns unspotted soon after birth. Very small ears. Adults have relatively short three-tined antlers, 20-40 cm in length. Permanent dentition of 32 teeth (upper canines absent). Broad lower central incisors and narrow lateral incisiform canines.

Habitat. It formerly occurred in primary and secondary forests up to 2900 m above sea level, including wooded lowlands and forested slopes.

Food and Feeding. Philippine Brown Deer generally favor forest edges or clearings, browsing on a variety of vegetation such as grasses, leaves, fallen fruit, and berries. In areas where it has been introduced, the Philippine Brown Deer causes significant damage to indigenous ecosystems, preventing forest regeneration as well as eating large amounts of crops.

Breeding. Breeding most commonly occurs from September to January, with females giving birth to a single fawn marked with pale spots, which disappear after a few weeks.

Activity patterns. The Philippine Brown Deer becomes active in the evenings and continues to feed throughout the night until dawn. They spend most of the day resting, hidden in dense vegetation.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. During the mating season, females may form small groups of up to eight individuals, but the males remain solitary and are aggressive.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red Lust. It is declining throughout most of its range, due to hunting and deforestation. The Mindoro population is severely threatened by habitat loss. Despite portions of this species’ range being located in protected areas in the Philippines, poor enforcement allows widespread illegal logging activity, mining, and conversion of land to agriculture.

Bibliography. Grubb & Groves (1983), Oliver, MacKinnon, Ong & Gonzales (2008), Wemmer (1998).

Figures

On followıng pages 16 Calamıan Deer (Axıs calamıanensıs) 17 Common Fallow Deer (Dama dama) 18 Persnun Fallow Deer (Dama mesopotamıca) 19 Sambar (Rusa unıoolon 20 Javan Deer (Rusa tlmoœnsls). 21 Phılıppıne Spotted Deer (Rusa alfredh 22 Phılıppıne Brown Deer (Husa manannal

Subspecies and Distribution. R.m.mariannaDesmarest,1822—Luzon|andassociatedsmallerIs. R.m.barandanaHeude,1888—MindoroI. R. m. nigella Hollister, 1813 — Mindanao, Basilan, Samar, and Leyte Is. In addition to its native range, introduced populations of this species are found on the islands of Guam , Saipan and Rota in the Mariana Is and Pohnpei in the Caroline Is. The Philippine Brown Deer was also introduced to the Japanese Bonin Islands, where it later became extinct.