| Red brocket | |
|---|---|
_male_(28091090800).jpg) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Family: | Cervidae |
| Subfamily: | Capreolinae |
| Genus: | Mazama |
| Species: | M. americana |
| Binomial name | |
| Mazama americana (Erxleben, 1777) | |
 | |
Thered brocket (Mazama americana) is a species ofbrocket deer from forests inSouth America, ranging from northernArgentina toColombia and theGuianas.[1][2] It also occurs on theCaribbean island ofTrinidad (it also occurred on the island ofTobago until very recent historical times, but has been extirpated there).
It formerly included theCentral American red brocket (M. temama) and sometimes theYucatan brown brocket (M. pandora) assubspecies.[3] Considerabletaxonomic confusion still exists for the populations remaining in the red brocket. Pending a solution to this, it has been evaluated asdata deficient by theIUCN,[1] though as presently defined, it is the most widespread species of brocket. It issympatric with the smallerAmazonian brown brocket over much of its range (the latter tends to have significantly lower population densities). Thekaryotype of the red brocket was initially described as having2n = 68,FN = 74, and more recently as having 2n varying from 48 to 54 and FN varying from 54 to 56.[1] This variability may indicate the presence of unrecognized species in the population.[1]
Its body is reddish-brown in color, with a lighter grayish-brown head and neck, and partially blackish legs.[4] The inner thighs and the underside of the tail are white. Fawns are spotted white and lack blackish to the legs.[4] Only the adult male has antlers, and these are small and spike-like. This species is the largest of the brockets. The shoulder height is 67–80 cm (26–31 in) and the head and body length 105–144 cm (41–57 in).[4] These deer typically weigh 24–48 kg (53–106 lb),[4] but exceptional males may get as large as 65 kg (143 lb).[5]
The red brocket browses on vegetation (mainly grasses and tender green roots),[6] preferring fruit and seeds when it is available. They are also known to feed on fungi.[6] In extreme cases where fruit and fungi become scarce, it may eat stems, bark, petioles, leaves, and animal matter instead.[7] It is generally solitary and stays in dense jungles. When alarmed, the animal snorts or stomps its hooves.
Hybridization with thepygmy brocket (Mazama nana) has been documented in captivity.[8]
.jpg)
