Moschus fuscus Li 1981
Creators: name: Wilson, Don E.
name: Mittermeier, Russell A.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2011
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Artiodactyla
Moschidae
Moschus
Moschus fuscus

description: 5. Black Musk-deer <i>Moschus fuscus</i> <b>French:</b> Porte-musc noir / <b>German:</b> Schwarzes Moschustier / <b>Spanish:</b> Ciervo almizclero negro <b>Taxonomy.</b> Moschus fuscus Li, 1981, Babo, Gongshan, Yunnan, 3500 m. Monotypic. <b>Distribution.</b> S China, in SE Xizang (Zayu County, 28° 25’ N, 97° 06’ E) and NW Yunnan (Gongshan County, 26° 30’ N, 98° 50’ E), NE India (Sikkim), Bhutan and N Myanmar (Dchpu L’kha; Adung-Seingku valleys). It is likely on geographic grounds that it occurs in Arunachal Pradesh, NE India, and thatthis speciesis the one that has been found at over 4000 m in the Khumbu region of Mt Everest and Tserping, in NW Nepal. <b>Descriptive notes.</b> Head-body 73-80 cm, tail 4-6 cm; weight 10-15 kg. Skull length 13-5—-14-5 cm. Blackish-brown all over, much darker than any other species, with no neck or throat markings, but very occasionally traces of yellowish spotting on body. The neck may be paler than the body; the throat has no longitudinal lines running down it, but often has two incomplete yellow collars. Underside is dark like the upper side. Rump with ochery tones, but buttocks black. Juvenile is agouti-banded, but the adult hairs are solid-colored except for very short white bases. Hair is long, 32-46 mm on withers, 51-63 mm on rump. Muzzle is short, less than half the length of the skull, but the lacrimal is longer than it is high. Limbs are more elongated than in M. berezouskii, despite the smaller skull. Metacarpal 88-101 mm, metatarsal 126-135 mm, so the hindlimb is even more elongated than in M. berezouskii; the metatarsal length is 152% of the metacarpal, and 96% of skull length, the metacarpal 63% of skull length. The hooves are elongated: 27-29 mm in one specimen (maximum in other speciesis 24 mm). Khumbu region specimens have a slightly paler underside and interramal region than those from China and Myanmar. <b>Habitat.</b> This speciesis said to live in shady coniferous forest at 2200-4600 m above sea level, extending into the alpine zone. <b>Food and Feeding.</b> The diet is mainly grasses, mosses, and tender shoots of a variety of plants, but no details are available. <b>Breeding.</b> Nothing known. <b>Activity patterns.</b> No data available, but probably like related species, which tend to be more active nocturnally. <b>Movements, Home range and Social organization.</b> No information available. <b>Status and Conservation.</b> This species is listed on CITES Appendix I in most countries in its range, and on Appendix II in China. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. It is on the China Key List as category II and the China Red List as Endangered. This species has gained some protection in Myanmar through the creation of Khakaborazi National Park, but poaching remains a problem in many areas. <b>Bibliography.</b> Groves et al. (1995), Li Zhixiang (1981).
description: Published as part of <i>Don E. Wilson &amp; Russell A. Mittermeier, 2011, Moschidae, pp. 336-348 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 2 Hoofed Mammals, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions</i> on page 347, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.5720521