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Monday, August 17, 2015

Bornean Yellow Muntjacs

Habitat
Bornean yellow muntjacs are terrestrial ungulates that live in variety of habitats, including moist forests, low hills, coastal regions, and areas of dense vegetation. They are not normally found far from water (Nowak, 1999). They are found from 0 to 1200m (ARCBC, 2006). (ARCBC, 2006; Nowak, 1999)

Physical Description
Bornean yellow muntjacs are characterized by a yellowish-orange hue to their fur. They have a darker stripe on the nuchal region which becomes yellowish-orange on the sides and then whitish on the belly. The tail has a dark nuchal stripe and the pale ventral color and is 14 to 20 cm in length. The under part of the throat retains the ventral paleness. The ears are sparsely haired with coloration ranging from deep brown to yellowish or grayish brown with creamy or whitish markings (Nowak, 1999). Males have slender, simple horns of 16 to 42 mm in length. Males lack both frontal tufts of hair and antler burrs (Payne and Francis, 1985). Females have small, bony knobs and tufts of hair in place of horns. Males also have modified upper canines that curve strongly outward from the lips, forming small tusks (Norwak, 1999). At birth, fawns possess lines of white spots on the upper parts of their bodies. These spots remain until they are half their adult size (Payne and Francis, 1985). (Nowak, 1999; Payne and Francis, 1985; Whitehead, 1993)

Classification

Kingdom:       Animalia
Phylum:          Chordata
Class:             Mammalia
Ordo:              Artiodactyla
Family:           Cervidae
Subfamily:      Cervinae
Genus:            Muntiacus
Species:          Muntiacus atherodes

Reproduction
Little is known about mating in Bornean yellow muntjacs. Mating systems and behavior may be similar to other, better studied, species of muntjacs, where males compete for access to females in estrous.
Bornean yellow muntjacs are polyestrous and breed throughout the year. Their estrus cycle lasts between 14 and 21 days and gestation between 210 and 215 days. Typically a single fawn is born, very rarely twins. The fawn will stay hidden in thick vegetation until it is able to move about with its mother (Norwak, 1999). Weaning lasts between 2 months (Walker, 2006) to halfway into the next pregnancy, which will be conceived just a few days after a fawn is born (Whitehead, 1993). Sexual maturity will be reached within 6 to 12 months (Huffman, 2006). (Huffman, 2006; Nowak, 1999; Walker, 2006; Whitehead, 1993)
Females lactate and protect their young. Otherwise, little is known about parental investment in the young. Like other muntjacs, Bornean yellow muntjacs are somewhat precocial when born and develop rapidly. (Nowak, 1999)



Lifespan/Longevity
There is little available information on the lifespan of Bornean yellow muntjacs.

Behavior
Little is known about the behavior of Bornean yellow muntjacs. They are mainly diurnal and lift their feet high when walking (Nowak, 1999). They are often seen in pairs consisting of an adult male and an adult female, they are occasionally observed alone (Payne and Francis, 1985). (Nowak, 1999; Payne and Francis, 1985)

Communication and Perception
Muntjacs, in general, are known as ‘barking deer’ due to the short, sharp, loud, and deep bark-like call they produce. When alarmed, the barking of Bornean yellow muntjacs can last for more than an hour. The frequency of barking increases in circumstances of reduced visibility (Nowak, 1999). A short, high-pitched mewing sound is emitted by females with young (Payne and Francis, 1985). Muntjacs also use the secretions from their pre-orbital glands to communicate reproductive state, territorial boundaries, and to cement social bonds. (Nowak, 1999; Payne and Francis, 1985)

Food Habits
Bornean yellow muntjacs feed on an assortment of vegetation: leaves, fruits, shoots, grasses, herbs, and seeds. They are mainly diurnal, feeding throughout the day. (Payne and Francis, 1985; Walker, 2006; Payne and Francis, 1985; Walker, 2006; Payne and Francis, 1985; Walker, 2006)

Predation
Known predators of Bornean yellow muntjacs include clouded leopards (Neofelis nebulosa) and humans. (Payne and Francis, 1985)

Ecosystem Roles
There is little available information on the ecosystem role of Bornean yellow muntjacs. They may help to disperse the seeds of fruit trees by eating them and they act as prey to large, forest predators.

Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Bornean yellow muntjacs are hunted for their skins and meat. (Nowak, 1999)

Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
Bornean yellow muntjacs are considered a nuisance because they destroy trees by stripping off bark. (Nowak, 1999)



Conservation Status

Bornean yellow muntjacs are listed as primarily lower risk on the IUCN's 2006 Red List of Threatened Animals. Additionally, they fall into the sub-category of least concern (IUCN, 2006). However, hunting pressure on this species is high. They are attracted to grazing areas near roads and in forest cuts, making them more susceptible to hunting (Meijaard et al., 2006). (IUCN, 2006; Meijaard, et al., 2006)

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