Tragulus
Encyclopedia
Tragulus is a genus of even-toed ungulate
s in the Tragulidae family that are known as mouse-deer. Tragos refers to a goat in Greek
, while –ulus in Latin
means 'tiny'. With a weight of 0.7–8 kg (1.5–17.6 lb) and a length of 40–75 cm (15.7–29.5 in) they are the smallest ungulate
s in the world, though the largest species of mouse-deer surpass some species of Neotragus
antelopes in size. The mouse-deer are restricted to southeast Asia
from far southern China
(south Yunnan
) to the Philippines
(Balabac
) and Java
. Following recent taxonomic changes, several of the species in this genus are poorly known, but all are believed to be mainly nocturnal and feed on leaves, fruits, grass and other vegetation in the dense forest undergrowth. They are solitary or live in pairs, and the males have elongated canine teeth (neither gender has horns) that are used in fights. Unlike other members of their family, the Tragulus mouse-deer lack obvious pale stripes/spots on the upperparts.
from T. napu, and T. kanchil and T. williamsoni were split from T. javanicus. With these changes, T. kanchil and T. napu are the most widespread species, while the remaining have far smaller distributions (though some uncertainty over the exact distribution limits of the various species in Indochina
remain).
Even-toed ungulate
The even-toed ungulates are ungulates whose weight is borne about equally by the third and fourth toes, rather than mostly or entirely by the third as in odd-toed ungulates such as horses....
s in the Tragulidae family that are known as mouse-deer. Tragos refers to a goat in Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
, while –ulus in Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
means 'tiny'. With a weight of 0.7–8 kg (1.5–17.6 lb) and a length of 40–75 cm (15.7–29.5 in) they are the smallest ungulate
Ungulate
Ungulates are several groups of mammals, most of which use the tips of their toes, usually hoofed, to sustain their whole body weight while moving. They make up several orders of mammals, of which six to eight survive...
s in the world, though the largest species of mouse-deer surpass some species of Neotragus
Neotragus
Neotragus is a genus of antelope. The three species are native animals of Africa....
antelopes in size. The mouse-deer are restricted to southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
from far southern China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
(south Yunnan
Yunnan
Yunnan is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the far southwest of the country spanning approximately and with a population of 45.7 million . The capital of the province is Kunming. The province borders Burma, Laos, and Vietnam.Yunnan is situated in a mountainous area, with...
) to the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
(Balabac
Balabac, Palawan
Balabac is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Palawan, Philippines, off the southern end of Palawan Island. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 25,257 people in 4,723 households...
) and Java
Java
Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...
. Following recent taxonomic changes, several of the species in this genus are poorly known, but all are believed to be mainly nocturnal and feed on leaves, fruits, grass and other vegetation in the dense forest undergrowth. They are solitary or live in pairs, and the males have elongated canine teeth (neither gender has horns) that are used in fights. Unlike other members of their family, the Tragulus mouse-deer lack obvious pale stripes/spots on the upperparts.
Taxonomy
Traditionally, only two species of mouse-deer in the genus Tragulus have been recognized: The relatively large T. napu and the small T. javanicus. Following a review in 2004, T. nigricans and T. versicolor were splitLumpers and splitters
Lumping and splitting refers to a well-known problem in any discipline which has to place individual examples into rigorously defined categories. The lumper/splitter problem occurs when there is the need to create classifications and assign examples to them, for example schools of literature,...
from T. napu, and T. kanchil and T. williamsoni were split from T. javanicus. With these changes, T. kanchil and T. napu are the most widespread species, while the remaining have far smaller distributions (though some uncertainty over the exact distribution limits of the various species in Indochina
Indochina
The Indochinese peninsula, is a region in Southeast Asia. It lies roughly southwest of China, and east of India. The name has its origins in the French, Indochine, as a combination of the names of "China" and "India", and was adopted when French colonizers in Vietnam began expanding their territory...
remain).
- Java Mouse-deerJava Mouse-deerThe Java Mouse-deer is a species of even-toed ungulate in the Tragulidae family. At maturity it is about the size of a rabbit, making it one of the smallest ungulates. It is found in forests in Java and perhaps Bali. It formerly included the more widespread T. kanchil and the poorly known T....
(Tragulus javanicus) - Lesser Mouse-deerLesser Mouse-deerThe Lesser Mouse-deer or Kanchil , also known as the Lesser Malay Chevrotain, is a species of even-toed ungulate in the Tragulidae family...
(Tragulus kanchil) - Greater Mouse-deerGreater Mouse-deerThe Greater mouse-deer, Greater Malay chevrotain or napu is a species of even-toed ungulate in the Tragulidae family. It is found in Sumatra, Borneo and smaller Malaysian and Indonesian islands, and in southern Myanmar, southern Thailand and peninsular Malaysia...
(Tragulus napu) - Philippine Mouse-deerPhilippine Mouse-deerThe Philippine Mouse-deer , also known as the Balabac Chevrotain or Pilandok , is a small, nocturnal ruminant, which is endemic to Balabac and nearby smaller islands south-west of Palawan in the Philippines. It has traditionally been considered a subspecies of the Greater Mouse-deer...
(Tragulus nigricans) - Vietnam Mouse-deerVietnam Mouse-deerThe Vietnam Mouse-deer , also known as the Silver-backed chevrotain, is a species of even-toed ungulate in the Tragulidae family that at present only is known from Vietnam. Until 2004, it was generally treated as a subspecies of the Greater Mouse-deer , though it more closely resembles the Lesser...
(Tragulus versicolor) - Williamson's Mouse-deerWilliamson's Mouse-deerWilliamson's Mouse-deer is a species of even-toed ungulate in the Tragulidae family. It is found in China and Thailand....
(Tragulus williamsoni)