Muntiacus vuquangensis (Do Tuoc, Vu Van Dung, Dawson, Arctander & Mackinnon, 1994)
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6514377 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6514411 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03A087C4-FFC6-FFC7-FF0D-FEBDE573F8A5 |
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treatment provided by |
Conny |
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scientific name |
Muntiacus vuquangensis |
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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).
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.
