Norma G. Chapman

Faecal pellets of Reeves' muntjac, Muntiacus reevesi: defecation rate, decomposition period, size and weight

Captive muntjac fed on vegetation had a daily defecation rate of 7 to 8.2.pellet groups. Even in the cold month of February 97.6% of pellets decayed within 80 days but for 8 other months the range was 4 to 23 days. Emphasis is given to the need for site-specific information when decay rate is required to assess population size from dung counts. The morphology, dimensions, weight and group size of pellets are described as an aid to distinguish them from the faeces of other cervids.

Assessing the age of Reeves' muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi) by scoring wear of the mandibular molars

The skulls and mandibles of 50 (28 male, 22 female) captive muntjac Muntiacus reevesi of exactly known age and four (two male, two female) of approximately known age were examined for their molar wear patterns. A procedure for scoring was based on earlier published work (Brown & Chapman, 1990, 1991) for fallow Dama dama and red deer Cervus elaphus, respectively. Specimens were also available from 17 male and 13 female wild muntjac whose approximate ages were known. The data show a curvilinear relationship between age and toothwear score, with increasing variability as the score increases. The predicted age and upper and lower limits of 95% prediction intervals are given for captive and wild muntjac deer. The range between upper and lower limits, though greater than was found for fallow and red deer, may still be a useful guide for assessing animals of unknown age.

Polydactyly in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus)

Supernumerary digits on roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) have been recorded over many decades in Germany. The case described in this communication is believed to be only the second documented example from the UK. A right hind foot of a buck had three equally developed digits arising from a metatarsal that trifurcated.

Deformities of the metacarpus and metatarsus in fallow deer (Dama dama L.).

Radiographic examination of the metacarpus and metatarsus from 333 fallow deer revealed a high incidence of animals with an angular deviation of at least one epiphysis. The incidence in males (59 per cent) was significantly higher than that in females (21 per cent). The cloven hoof is bent laterally and a deviation of up to 23 degrees was recorded. A deer with one deformed foot is equally likely to have 2, 3 or 4 deformed feet and no bone is more susceptible than others. Fusion of the epiphyses commenced at about 16 months and was complete by about 32 months, and the angular deformity occurred before this age. The incidence increases with increasing age in deer whose epiphyses have not yet fused. Other radiographic changes noted were growth plate deformities in young deer of 8 to 12 months of age and bowing of the shaft of the cannon bone in some older animals. It is suggested that the following sequence of events could involve all 3 defects and provide an explanation for the gross angular deviation of the foot seen in some deer. First, a defect in the process of calcification as a result of a nutritional deficiency causes hypertrophy of the cartilage of the growth plate, with local epiphyseal damage. Second, a compression or a breakdown of the cartilage of the cannon bone, particularly if on one side only, causes angular deviation of the epiphysis. Subsequent ossification leads to fusion of the diaphysis with the epiphysis at an abnormal angle. Third, the defect in calcification of the diaphysis leads to a weakness in the bone which, if stressed, becomes deformed and, after subsequent ossification, is seen as a bowing of the cannon bone.