Java mouse-deer: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 18:06, 21 April 2017

Revision as of 18:48, 21 April 2017

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==Taxonomy==

The Java mouse-deer’s common scientific name is ''Tragulus javanicus'', although other classification names for it exist, including ''Tragulus javanica'', ''Cervus javanicus'', and the [[heterotypic synonym]] ''Tragulus fuscatus''.<ref name=iucn /><ref name=meijaard>{{cite journal | last1 = Meijaard | first1 = I. | last2 = Groves | first2 = C. P. | year = 2004 | title = A taxonomic revision of the Tragulus mouse-deer. | url = | journal = Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society | volume = 140 | issue = | pages = 63–102 | doi=10.1111/j.1096-3642.2004.00091.x}}</ref><ref name=ARKive4>Javan mouse-deer (Tragulus javanicus). (2013). ARKive - Discover the world's most endangered species. Retrieved from http://www.arkive.org/javan-mouse-deer/tragulus-javanicus</ref><ref>Facts about Lesser Mouse Deer (Tragulus javanicus) - Encyclopedia of Life. (n.d.). Encyclopedia of Life - Animals - Plants - Pictures & Information. Retrieved from http://eol.org/pages/328339/names/synonyms</ref> The Java mouse-deer is also known by many common names, including Javan chevrotain, Javan mousdeer, or Java Mousedeer.<ref name=eof5>Facts about Lesser Mouse Deer (Tragulus javanicus) - Encyclopedia of Life. (n.d.). Encyclopedia of Life - Animals - Plants - Pictures & Information. Retrieved from http://eol.org/pages/328339/</ref> The taxonomic status of the Java mouse-deer is questionable, but recent craniometric analyses have begun to shed light on the taxonomic discrepancies. Previously, the Java mouse-deer, ''Tragulus javanicus'', was commonly thought to represent the wider class of large [[chevrotain]]s, but it was found that these, unlike the Java mouse-deer, do not likely reside on [[Java]]. Three species groups of ''Tragulus'' have been identified based on craniometric skull analyses and coat coloration patterns. These three species groups are ''Tragulus javanicus'', ''[[Tragulus napu]]'', and ''[[Tragulus versicolor]]''. Based upon these craniometric analyses, ''Tragulus javanicus'' was then further separated based on the organisms’ known geographic locations: ''[[Tragulus williamsoni]]'' (found in northern Thailand and possibly southern [[China]]), ''[[Tragulus kanchil]]'' (found in [[Borneo]], [[Sumatra]], the [[Thai–Malay Peninsula]], islands within the Greater Sunda region, and continental [[Southeast Asia]]), and ''Tragulus javanicus'' (found in Java).<ref name=meijaard6>{{cite journal | last1 = Meijaard | first1 = E. | last2 = Groves | first2 = C. P. | year = 2004 | title = A Taxonomic Revision Of The Tragulus Mouse-deer (Artiodactyla) | url = http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1096-3642.2004.00091.x/abstract | journal = Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society | volume = 140 | issue = 1| pages = 63–102 | doi=10.1111/j.1096-3642.2004.00091.x}}</ref> Thus, because of its uniqueness to the island of Java, the Java mouse-deer is now considered a distinct species, although this fact has not significantly affected its current classification.<ref name=redorbit7>Java Mouse Deer, ''Tragulus javanicus'' - Mammals Reference Library - redOrbit. (n.d.). redOrbit - Science, Space, Technology, Health News and Information. Retrieved from http://www.redorbit.com/education/reference_library/science_1/mammalia/1112721404/java-mouse-deer-tragulus-javanicus/</ref>

==Appearance and biology==

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===Habitat===

The Java mouse-deer prefers habitats of higher elevations and the tropical forest regions of Java, although it does appear at lower elevations between {{Convert|400|-|700|m}} above sea level.<ref name=eof5/><ref name=adw12>Strawder, N. (2000). ADW: Tragulus javanicus. ADW: Home. Retrieved from http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Tragulus_javanicus/</ref> During the day, Java mouse-deer can be seen roaming in crown-gap areas with dense undergrowth of creeping [[bamboo]], through which they make tunnels through the thick vegetation which lead to resting places and feeding areas.<ref name=superhero8/> At night, the Java mouse-deer moves to higher and drier ridge areas.<ref name=eof5/> It has been argued that Java mouse-deer are an “edge” species, favoring areas of dense vegetation along riverbanks.<ref name=eof5/> Additionally, Java mouse-deer have been found to be more prevalent in logged areas than in the more mature forests, and their densities tended to decrease proportionately as the logged forests matured.

==Behavior==

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==Predators==

One of the main predators which the Java mouse-deer face is humans. Through the destruction of their habitat, as well as from hunting and trapping the mouse-deer for food, their pelts, and for pets, humans have considerably reduced the Java mouse-deer population. Mouse-deer are particularly vulnerable to being hunted by humans at night because of their tendency to freeze when illuminated by having a spotlight shone on them.<ref name=iucn /> Because of the small size of the Java mouse-deer, [[dog]]sdogs are also a common predator for them, as well as [[crocodile]]scrocodiles, big cats, birds of prey, and [[snake]]ssnakes.<ref name=prothero14 />

==Diseases==