Mazama chunyi, Hershkovitz, 1959

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 : 443

53.

Common Dwarf Brocket

Mazama chunyi

French: Mazame pygmée / German: Sudlicher Zwergmazama / Spanish: Corzuela enana

Other common names: Peruvian Dwarf Brocket, Andean Brocket

Taxonomy. Mazama chunyi Hershkovitz, 1959 ,

Cocapunco, Cordillera Real ( Bolivia).

It has been confused for decades with the sympatric Pudu mephistophiles . Its scientific name, chunyi , is from “chuni,” the Bolivian name for this species. Monotypic.

Distribution. Andes of S Peru and N Bolivia.

Descriptive notes. Few measurements available. Head-body 70-75 cm, shoulder height 38 cm; weight 11 kg. Small-sized brocket, with a dark coat, round ears, and a visible tail. The general color of the coat is brown, with reddish mid-back and flanks, blackish neck, head, and legs; the throat, chest, and belly are orange. White markings on ear margins and on the tip of the muzzle.

Habitat. It occurs in montane forests and summit grasslands and scrublands, from 1000 m to 3500-4000 m above sea level.

Food and Feeding. Itis frugivorous and folivorous, foraging for leaves and fruits in the lowerlayers of the forest.

Breeding. Fairly little is known about the biology ofthis shy and seldom seen deer. Although almost nothing is known about reproduction in the Common Dwarf Brocket, it is likely to be similar to that of other brocket species. Brockets usually reproduce year-round, giving birth to a single calf after a fairly long gestation of 218-228 days. Young brocket deer mature rapidly, and females can breed before they are one year old in many species.

Activity patterns. It is believed to be a solitary species thatis active during the day and night, but is mostly crepuscular.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. It is very secretive and is basically solitary.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List. Forest cutting and burning and small scale agriculture and cattle ranching are the primary threats.

Bibliography. Rumiz & Pardo (2008, 2010), Rumiz et al. (2007).

Figures

44. Common Brown Brocket (Mazama gouazoubira), 45. Yucatan Brown Brocket (Mazama pandora), 46. Amazonian Brown Brocket (Mazama nemorivaga), 47. Common Red Brocket (Mazama americana), 48. Mexican Red Brocket (Mazama temama), 49. Small Red Brocket (Mazama bororo), 50. Lesser Brocket (Mazama nanus), 51. Little Red Brocket (Mazama rufina), 52. Merida Brocket (Mazama bricenii), 53. Common Dwarf Brocket (Mazama chunyi)

Distribution. Andes of S Peru and N Bolivia .