Ajay Kumar at 21:01, 30 August 2023

2023-08-30T21:01:52Z

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{{Short description|Species of deer}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Leaf muntjac
| status = DD
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 11 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Timmins, R.J. |author2=Duckworth, J.W. |date=2016 |title=''Muntiacus putaoensis'' |volume=2016 |page=e.T136479A22159478 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T136479A22159478.en |access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref>
| taxon = Muntiacus putaoensis
| authority = Amato, Egan & [[Alan Rabinowitz|Rabinowitz]], 1999<ref name="Rabinowitz">Rabinowitz, AR; T. Myint; ST Khaing & S Rabinowitz (1999) Description of the Leaf Deer (''Muntiacus putaoensis''), a new species of muntjac from northern Myanmar. J. Zool. 249:427-435</ref>
| range_map = Muntiacus_putaoensis.png
}}
The '''leaf muntjac''', '''leaf deer''' or '''Putao muntjac''' ('''''Muntiacus putaoensis''''') is a small [[species]] of [[muntjac]].<ref name="EllisNTB"/> It was documented in 1997 by biologist [[Alan Rabinowitz]] during his field study in the isolated [[Nogmung Township]] in [[Myanmar]]. Rabinowitz discovered the species by examining the small carcass of a deer that he initially believed was the juvenile of another species; however, it proved to be the carcass of an adult female.<ref name="EllisNTB">{{cite book| last = Ellis| first = Richard| author-link = Richard Ellis (biologist) | title = No Turning Back: The Life and Death of Animal Species| url = https://archive.org/details/noturningbacklif00elli| url-access = registration| publisher = Harper Perennial | date = 2004| location = New York| isbn =0-06-055804-0| page = [https://archive.org/details/noturningbacklif00elli/page/260 260] }}</ref> He managed to obtain specimens, from which [[DNA analysis]] revealed a new [[Deer|cervid]] species. Local hunters knew of the species and called it the leaf deer because its body could be completely wrapped by a single large leaf.<ref name="EllisNTB"/> It is found in [[Myanmar]] and [[India]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/en|title=IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Muntiacus putaoensis|first=R. J. & Duckworth|last=Timmins|date=November 16, 2015|website=IUCN Red List of Threatened Species}}</ref>

==Distribution and habitat==
The leaf muntjac is uniquely found in dense forests of [[Myanmar]], in the [[Hukawng Valley]] region to the Northeast of [[Putao District|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. Its existence in India was first reported from Lohit district in eastern Arunachal Pradesh<ref>Choudhury, A.U. (2003) ''The mammals of Arunachal Pradesh''. Regency Publications, New Delhi. 140pp</ref> In 2002, it was reported also to exist in [[Namdapha Tiger Reserve]], also in eastern [[Arunachal Pradesh]], [[India]].<ref name="Datta">Datta, A; J Pansa; MD Madhusudan & C Mishra (2003) [http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/feb102003/454.pdf Discovery of the Leaf Deer (Muntiacus putaoensis) in Arunachal Pradesh: an addition to the large mammals of India]. Current Science 84:454-458</ref> It has also been noted from the Lohit and Changlang region and near Noklak in Nagaland.<ref>Choudhury, A.U. (2007) Discovery of Leaf Deer ''Muntiacus putaoensis'' Rabinowitz ''et al.'' in Nagaland with a new northerly record from Arunachal Pradesh. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 104(2):205-208</ref> It probably inhabits suitable habitat over the entire junction of the [[Patkai|Pātkai Bum]] and the [[Kumon Taungdan]] ranges. In 2008 and 2009, its presence was reported in several new areas of Arunachal Pradesh.<ref>Choudhury, A.U.(2008). Survey of mammals and birds in Dihang–Dibang Biosphere Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh. Final Report to Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India. The Rhino Foundation for Nature in North East India, Guwahati, India. 70 pp.</ref><ref>Choudhury, A.U.(2009) Records and distribution of Gongshan and leaf muntjacs in India. ''Deer Specialist Group News'' 23: 2-7.</ref>

==Description==
An adult leaf deer stands at just 20 inches (50  cm) high at the shoulder and weighs less than 25 pounds (11  kg). They are light brown. Males have unbranched antlers that are about 1 inch (2.5  cm) in height. Other than this, the male and female deer are identical.<ref name="EllisNTB"/> This species is unusual among other deer because their offspring do not bear any spots. It also differs from other muntjacs because both the male and female have pronounced canine tusks.<ref name="EllisNTB"/> The leaf deer species characteristics of being small, preferring to roam alone, and living in habitats of dense forests in the mountains resembles the characteristics of ancient species of deer.

==Patterns of Activity==

Information on leaf muntjac behavior is limited, but similar muntjacs are often [[crepuscular]], with others being both [[nocturnal]] and [[Diurnality|diurnal]]. In addition, leaf muntjacs are usually solitary,<ref name="Rabinowitz" /><ref>James, Jiffy, Uma Ramakrishnan, and [[Aparajita Datta]]. “Molecular Evidence for the Occurrence of the Leaf Deer Muntiacus Putaoensis in Arunachal Pradesh, North-East India.” Conservation Genetics 9, no. 4 (2007): 927–31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-007-9410-3.</ref><ref>Li, Guo-Gang, Ming-Xia Zhang, Kyaw Swa, Kyau-Win Maung, and Rui-Chang Quan. “Complete Mitochondrial Genome of the Leaf Muntjac (Muntiacus Putaoensis) and Phylogenetics of the Genus Muntiacus.” Zoological Research 38, no. 5 (September 18, 2017): 310–16. https://doi.org/10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2017.058.</ref> except for during the female muntjac’s pregnancy, in which case the male mating partner will also be present.<ref name="Datta" /> Fruit and leaf traces upon autopsy indicates their diets contribute to local seed dispersal practices.<ref name="Datta" />

==Conservation and Status==

On the IUCN Red List this species is classified as Data Deficient, as there is lack of certainty about its morphology, distribution, taxonomy and ecology. There has been evidence of persistent hunting by local people and this suggests that numbers are decreasing.

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

{{Artiodactyla|R.1}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q908454}}

[[Category:Muntjac|leaf muntjac]]
[[Category:Mammals of Myanmar]]
[[Category:Mammals described in 1999|leaf muntjac]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Alan Rabinowitz]]

Leaf muntjac - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 21:01, 30 August 2023