Java mouse-deer: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 20:13, 3 December 2020

Revision as of 00:18, 11 April 2021

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| status = DD

| status_system = IUCN3.1

| status_ref = <ref name=iucn>{{cite iucn|author=Duckworth, J. W.|author2=Hedges, S.|author3=Timmins, R. J.|author4=Semiadi, G.|year=2008|url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/details/41780/0|title=''Tragulus javanicus''|access-date=2014-04-24|ref=harv}}</ref>

| genus = Tragulus

| species = javanicus

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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|lastlast1=Matsubayashi|firstfirst1=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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==Diseases==

Although research into the diseases and parasites which affect the Java mouse-deer are still nascent, bovine viral diarrhea virus ([[BVDV]] 1), a [[pestivirus]] of the family [[flaviviridae]] has been detected in Java mouse-deer. Mouse-deer acquire this virus through fetal infection during early pregnancy. Once acquired, individuals with BVDV can gain lifelong [[immune tolerance]].<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Uttenthal | first1 = A. | last2 = Hoyer | first2 = M. J. | last3 = Grøndahl | first3 = C. | last4 = Houe | first4 = H. | last5 = van Maanen | first5 = C | last6 = Rasmussen | first6 = T. B. | display-authors = etal | year = 2006 | title = Vertical Transmission Of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV) In Mousedeer (Tragulus Javanicus) And Spread To Domestic Cattle | journal = Archives of Virology | volume = 151 | issue = 12| pages = 2377–2387 | doi=10.1007/s00705-006-0818-8 | pmid=16835699| s2cid = 12282255 }}</ref>

==Conservation status==