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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| doi-access = free }}</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 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207213548/http://www.arkive.org/javan-mouse-deer/tragulus-javanicus/ |date=2013-12-07 }}</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) | journal = Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society | volume = 140 | issue = 1| pages = 63–102 | doi=10.1111/j.1096-3642.2004.00091.x| doi-access = free }}</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==
Mouse-deer possess a triangular-shaped head, arched back, and round body with elevated rear quarters. The thin, short legs which support the mouse-deer are about the diameter of an average pencil. Although Java mouse-deer do not possess antlers or horns like regular deer, male Java mouse-deer have elongated, tusk-like upper canines which protrude downward from the upper jaw along the sides of their mouth. Males use these “tusks” to defend themselves and their mates against rivals.<ref name=superhero8>Nowak, R., J. Paradiso. 1983. Walker's Mammals of the World. Chicago: Johns Hopkins University Press.</ref> Females can be distinguished from males because they lack these prominent canines, and they are slightly smaller than the males.<ref name=eof5/> Java mouse-deer can furthermore be distinguished by their lack of upper incisors. The coat coloration of the Java mouse-deer is reddish-brown with a white underside. Pale white spots or vertical markings are also present on the animal's neck.<ref name=eof5/>
With an average length of {{Convert|45|cm|abbr=on}} and an average height of {{Convert|30|cm|abbr=on}}, the Java mouse-deer is the smallest [[Neontology|extant]] (living) ungulate or hoofed mammal, as well as the smallest extant even-toed ungulate.<ref name=eof5/><ref name=erythrocytes9>{{cite journal|last1=Fukuta|first1=K.|last2=Kudo|first2=H|last3=Jalaludin|first3=S.|year=1996|title=Unique pits on the erythrocytes of the lesser mouse-deer, Tragulus javanicus|journal=Journal of Anatomy|volume=189|issue=1|pages=211–213|pmc=1167845|pmid=8771414}}</ref><ref name=JoB/> The weight of the Java mouse-deer ranges from {{Convert|1|to|2|kg}}, with males being heavier than females. It has an average tail length of about {{Convert|5|cm|abbr=on}}. Mouse-deer are thought to be the most primitive [[ruminant]]s based on their behaviour and the [[fossil]] record, thus they are the living link between ruminants and non-ruminants.<ref name=animalrecs10>Carwardine, M., & London, E. (2007). Animal records. New York: Sterling</ref><ref name=JoB>{{Cite journal|last=Matsubayashi|first=Hisashi|last2=Bosi|first2=Edwin|last3=Kohshima|first3=Shiro|date=28 February 2003|title=Activity and Habitat Use of Lesser Mouse-Deer (Tragalus javanicus)|journal=Journal of Mammalogy|language=en|volume=84|issue=1|pages=234–242|doi=10.1644/1545-1542(2003)084<0234:AAHUOL>2.0.CO;2|issn=0022-2372|doi-access=free}}</ref>
The Java mouse-deer is [[endotherm]]ic and [[homoeothermic]], and has an average basal metabolic rate of about 4.883 [[watt]]s.<ref name=eof5/> It also has the smallest [[red blood cell]]s (erythrocytes) of any mammal, and about 12.8% of the cells have pits on them. The pits range in diameter from 68 to 390 [[nanometre]]s. Red blood cells with pits are unique and have not been reported before either physiologically or pathologically.<ref name=erythrocytes9/>
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