Taxonomy
It formerly included the Central American red brocket (''M. temama'') and sometimes the Yucatan brown brocket (''M. pandora'') as subspecies. Considerable Taxonomy (biology), taxonomic confusion still exists for the populations remaining in the red brocket. Pending a solution to this, it has been evaluated as data deficient by the IUCN, though as presently defined, it is the most widespread species of brocket. It is sympatric with the smaller Amazonian brown brocket over much of its range (the latter tends to have significantly lower population densities). The karyotype of the red brocket was initially described as having Ploidy#Diploid, 2n = 68, Karyotype#Fundamental number, FN = 74, and more recently as having 2n varying from 48 to 54 and FN varying from 54 to 56. This variability may indicate the presence of unrecognized species in the population.Description
Its body is reddish-brown in color, with a lighter grayish-brown head and neck, and partially blackish legs.Trolle, M., and L. H. Emmons (2004). ''A record of a dwarf brocket from lowland Madre de Dios, Peru.'' Deer Specialist Group Newsletter 19: 2–5 The inner thighs and the underside of the tail are white. Fawns are spotted white and lack blackish to the legs. 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 and the head and body length . These deer typically weigh , but exceptional males may get as large as .Diet and behaviour
The red brocket browses on vegetation (mainly grasses and tender green roots), preferring fruit and seeds when it is available. They are also known to feed on fungi. In extreme cases where fruit and fungi become scarce, it may eat stems, bark, petioles, leaves, and animal matter instead. It is generally solitary and stays in dense jungles. When alarmed, the animal snorts or stomps its hooves.Gallery
References
Bibliography
* Emmons, L.H. (1997). ''Neotropical Rainforest Mammals'', 2nd ed. University of Chicago PressExternal links