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→Appearance and biology: At least two scientific journal articles used as references list the Java mouse deer as the smallest ungulate. Added this information. Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit |
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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 a 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/> The average size of a Java mouse-deer ranges from {{Convert|1|-|2|kg}}, with females falling on the smaller end of this spectrum. 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/>
The height of the Java mouse-deer is {{Convert|30|cm}} on average. With average lengths of {{Convert|45|cm|abbr = on}} and an average tail length of {{Convert|5|cm|abbr = on}}, the Java mouse-deer is the smallest extant [[artiodactyl]] (even-toed hoofed mammal) and ungulate (hoofed mammal).<ref name=eof5/><ref name=erythrocytes9/>
Java mouse-deer are [[endothermic]] and [[homoeothermic]], with an average basal metabolic rate of 4.883 W.<ref name=eof5/> Tragulus javanicus also possess the smallest [[erythrocytes]] of the mammalian species, and their erythrocytes are unique in that 12.8% of their erythrocytes have pits in them.<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> Pitted erythrocytes are unique and have never been seen before physiologically or pathologically. Java mouse-deer are also considered the most primitive [[ruminants]], thus they provide the living link between non-ruminants and ruminant species.<ref name=animalrecs10>Carwardine, M., & London, E. (2007). Animal records. New York: Sterling</ref> ==Ecology==
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