Animal Pictures Archive mobile
Query: muntiacusResult: 22nd of 58
Leaf Muntjac (Muntiacus putaoensis) - Wiki
Subject: Leaf Muntjac (Muntiacus putaoensis) - Wiki
Leaf Muntjac (Muntiacus putaoensis).jpg
Resolution: 296x227 File Size: 40658 Bytes Date: 2007:09:15 23:32:20 Upload Date: 2007:09:15 23:35:49

Leaf Muntjac (Muntiacus putaoensis) - Wiki


Leaf muntjac
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The leaf muntjac or leaf deer (Muntiacus putaoensis) is a small species of muntjac. It was discovered very recently, in 1997, by biologist Alan Rabinowitz during his field study in the isolated Hukawng Valley in Myanmar. He managed to obtain specimens, from which DNA analysis revealed a new cervid species.

Distribution and habitat
The leaf muntjac is uniquely found in dense forests of Myanmar, in the Hukawng Valley region to the Northeast of Putao, hence its scientific epithet, and to the south of the Nam Tamai branch of the Mai Hka River. It is found at an altitude of 450 to 600 m ??? the transition zone between tropical forests and temperate ones. In 2002, it was discovered also to exist in Namdapha Tiger Reserve in eastern Arunachal Pradesh, India (see Current Science, vol. 84, p. 454). It probably inhabits suitable habitat over the entire junction of the P??tkai Bum and the Kumon Taungdan ranges.

Description
The species stands only 60-80 cm in height, making it one of the smallest deer in the world. Its weight is usually about 11 kg. Local names include lugi-che (easternmost Arunachal Pradesh) and phet-gyi (Myanmar), both meaning 'muntjac small enough to be wrapped in a Phrynium leaf for transport'. The English name is derived from this.

Leaf muntjacs live alone and seem to be both nocturnally and diurnally active.

Diet
The leaf muntjac feeds mostly on fruits.

Threat
Despite the small size of the animal and its antlers, hunting has considerably reduced the leaf muntjac population. Loss of habitat represents also another considerable threat. From circumstantial evidence, it appears that hunting pressure is lower in India, where the leaf deer is not often hunted intentionally.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leaf_muntjac
The text in this page is based on the copyrighted Wikipedia article shown in above URL. It is used under the GNU Free Documentation License. You may redistribute it, verbatim or modified, providing that you comply with the terms of the GFDL.

muntiacus
22/58
| Mobile Home | New Photos | Random | Funny | Films | Korean |
^o^ Animal Pictures Archive for smart phones ^o^