The Truong Son muntjac or Annamite muntjac (Muntiacus truongsonensis) is a species of muntjac deer. It is one of the smallest muntjac species, at about 15 kg (33 lb), half the size of the Indian muntjac (or common muntjac). It was discovered in the Truong Son (Annamite) mountain range in Vietnam in 1997.

Truong Son muntjac
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Cervidae
Genus: Muntiacus
Species:
M. truongsonensis
Binomial name
Muntiacus truongsonensis
(Giao, Tuoc, Dung, Wikramanayake, Amato, Arctander & Mackinnon, 1997)

It was identified by examination of skulls and descriptions provided by villagers, who call it samsoi cacoong, or "the deer that lives in the deep, thick forest." It lives at elevations of 400–1000 metres, where its small size allows it to move through dense undergrowth.

References

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  1. ^ Timmins, R.; Duckworth, J.W. (2016). "Muntiacus truongsonensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T44704A22154056. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T44704A22154056.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.