Anhui musk deer

Anhui musk deer
Illustration of an Anhui musk deer in winter coat
Conservation status
Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
CITES Appendix I (CITES)[2][note 1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Artiodactyla
Family:	Moschidae
Genus:	Moschus
Species:	M. anhuiensis
Binomial name
Moschus anhuiensis Wang, Hu & Yan, 1982 [1]

The Anhui musk deer (Moschus anhuiensis) is an endangered species of musk deer that is endemic to the Dabie Mountains of western Anhui province, China.^[3][4] It was formerly described as a subspecies of Moschus berezovskii and Moschus moschiferus, but is now classified as a separate species.^[1]

Habitat and distribution

Anhui musk deer inhabit high-elevations which consist of coniferous, broad-leaved, or mixed forests. Anhui musk deer are believed to require the dense vegetation of intact forests or shrublands, similar to other musk deer.^[5]

The species is only known to be found within and around the Mount Dabie area, within the western part of Anhui Province China.^[6] It is also believed that they spread to the Hubei Province section of Mount Dabie.^[1]

Characteristics

While much research has not been performed on the Anhui musk deer, it is most comparable to Dwarf musk deer and Siberian musk deer.^[6] Like other musk deer, notable characteristics consist of a lack of antlers, enlarged canine teeth with the males' protruding, and a musk gland present on the males between the navel and genitalia.^[7]

The adults of the species are considered small, with a height of around 71 centimeters (28.3 inches) at the head, or a shoulder height of 61 centimeters (24 inches).^[8] The overall length is around 89 centimeters (35 inches) from head to tail.^[8] Weight of the Anhui musk deer is around 8 kilograms (17.6 pounds).^[8] They have a dark brown to gray coloration with darker ears and a distinct stripe on the neck and chest area.^[8]

Reproduction

During mating seasons, males will use their extended canine teeth to compete with other males over territory, where they will use their musk sac to mark territory boundaries and attract females.^[7] Females are said to reach sexual maturity within their first year, as well as being described as rarely having a single offspring and mostly producing twins, unlike other musk deer.^[8] Other information is not really known, but is believed to be similar to that of Dwarf musk deer or Siberian musk deer.^[6]

Threats

The Anhui musk deer is currently listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this is due to a suspected 50% population decline over the past 21 years or 3 generations.^[1] Causes of this decline are attributed to over-exploitation of the species, destruction of viable habitat, and lowering of distribution throughout the viable habitat.^[6] Harvesting of the Anhui musk deer is not currently actively managed, with harvesting and poaching of the species for the musk sac to continue.^[9]

Use and trade

The musk produced by the male Anhui musk deer is prized for its use in cosmetics and alleged pharmaceutical benefits. Trade of musk is regulated by CITES, but is not prohibited by them.^[10] Each male can yield about 25 grams (0.88 oz) of the musk, which can be extracted from live animals or commonly the musk sac is harvested from hunted animals.^[1] Musk will likely continue to be harvested as 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) can sell for around $45,000 USD.^[1]

Conservation

Since 2002, the Anhui musk deer has been listed on the First Category of State Key Protected Wildlife List in China, and is listed as critically endangered on the Chinese Red List. The species is also currently listed under Appendix II of CITES. There are currently no measures in place to prevent hunting or harvesting of the Anhui musk deer, nor do any protected areas to preserve it's habitat.^[1] Current population numbers are not currently known, with the last estimation being 700-800 individuals in 1985.^[5]

See also

• List of endangered and protected species of China

Notes

References