View source for Anhui musk deer

{{Short description|Species of mammal}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Anhui musk deer
| image = Anhui musk deer illustration BeckyKidus.jpg
| image_caption = Illustration of an Anhui musk deer in winter coat
| status = EN
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name=iucn>{{cite iucn |author=Wang, Y. |author2=Harris, R.B. |date=2015 |title=''Moschus anhuiensis'' |volume=2015 |page=e.T136643A61979276 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T136643A61979276.en |access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref>
 | status2 = CITES_A1 
 | status2_system = CITES 
 | status2_ref = <ref>{{Cite web|title=Appendices {{!}} CITES|url=https://cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php|access-date=2022-01-14|website=cites.org}}</ref>{{NoteTag|Only populations of Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. All other populations are included in Appendix II.}}
| genus = Moschus
| species = anhuiensis
| authority = Wang, Hu & Yan, 1982 <ref name=iucn/>
}}

The '''Anhui musk deer''' ('''''Moschus anhuiensis''''') is an endangered species of [[musk deer]] that is [[endemic]] to the [[Dabie Mountains]] of western [[Anhui]] province, [[China]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.departments.bucknell.edu/biology/resources/msw3/browse.asp?s=y&id=14200187|title=Mammal Species of the World - Moschus anhuiensis |website=www.departments.bucknell.edu|access-date=2017-12-10}}</ref><ref>{{EOL|7240172|Anhui Musk Deer ''Moschus anhuiensis'' Wang, Hu & Yan 1982|access-date=2017-12-10}}</ref> It was formerly described as a subspecies of ''[[Moschus berezovskii]]'' and ''[[Moschus moschiferus]]'', but is now classified as a separate species.<ref name=iucn/>

== Habitat and distribution ==
Anhui musk deer inhabit high-elevations which consist of coniferous, broad-leaved, or mixed forests. Anhui musk deer are believed to require the dense vegetation of [[Intact forest landscape|intact forests]] or [[shrubland]]s, similar to other [[musk deer]].<ref name="Yang-2003">{{cite journal |last1=Yang |first1=Q.S. |last2=Meng |first2=X.X. |last3=Xia |first3=L. |last4=Lin Feng |first4=Z.J. |year=2003 |title=Conservation status and causes of decline of musk deer (''Moschus'' spp.) in China |journal=Biological Conservation |volume=109 |issue=3 |pages=333–342 |doi=10.1016/S0006-3207(02)00159-3|bibcode=2003BCons.109..333Y }}</ref>

The species is only known to be found within and around the Mount Dabie area, within the western part of [[Anhui|Anhui Province]] [[China]].<ref name="Smith-2008">{{cite book |editor-last1=Smith |editor-first1=A.T. |editor-last2=Xie |editor-first2=Y. |year=2008 |title=A Guide to the Mammals of China |publisher=Princeton University Press |location=Princeton, New Jersey |isbn=9781400834112}}</ref> It is also believed that they spread to the [[Hubei|Hubei Province]] section of Mount Dabie.<ref name=iucn/>

== Characteristics ==
While much research has not been performed on the Anhui musk deer, it is most comparable to [[Dwarf musk deer]] and [[Siberian musk deer]].<ref name="Smith-2008" /> Like other [[musk deer]], notable characteristics consist of a lack of antlers, enlarged [[Canine tooth|canine teeth]] with the males' protruding, and a [[musk]] gland present on the males between the navel and genitalia.<ref name="Wood-2022">{{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Drew |date=November 15, 2022 |title=Musk Deer |url=https://a-z-animals.com/animals/musk-deer/ |access-date=April 24, 2024 |website=AZ Animals}}</ref>

The adults of the species are  considered small, with a height of around {{cvt|71|cm}} at the head, or a shoulder height of {{cvt|61|cm}}.<ref name="GBIF">{{GBIF |title=''Moschus anhuiensis'' Wang, Hu & Yan 1982 |id=190573079 |access-date=2024-04-24}}</ref> The overall length is around {{cvt|89|cm}} from head to tail.<ref name="GBIF" /> Weight of the Anhui musk deer is around {{cvt|8|kg}}.<ref name="GBIF" /> They have a dark brown to gray coloration with darker ears and a distinct stripe on the neck and chest area.<ref name="GBIF" />

=== Reproduction ===
During mating seasons, males will use their extended [[Canine tooth|canine teeth]] to compete with other males over territory, where they will use their musk sac to mark territory boundaries and attract females.<ref name="Wood-2022" /> Females are said to reach sexual maturity within their first year, as well as being described as rarely having a single offspring and mostly producing twins, unlike other [[musk deer]].<ref name="GBIF" /> Other information is not really known, but is believed to be similar to that of [[Dwarf musk deer]] or [[Siberian musk deer]].<ref name="Smith-2008" />

== Threats ==
The Anhui musk deer is currently listed as an [[Endangered species|endangered]] species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature ([[International Union for Conservation of Nature|IUCN]]), on their [[IUCN Red List|Red List]], due to a suspected 50% population decrease over the past three generations (20–21 years), approximately.<ref name=iucn /> The main reason for this decline is primarily the unregulated, unsustainable hunting of the musk deer for its aromatic [[musk]] glands (used in cosmetics); while it is possible to extract musk glands, surgically, from live deer, this is more costly and time-consuming than simply shooting a musk deer and removing its scent glands.<ref name="Smith-2008" /> Additionally, considering the Anhui musk deer's namesake province, [[Anhui]], is currently ranked as [[Provinces of China|China's ninth-largest province]] by human population—with over 61 million residents—, human encroachment and infringement on wild habitat is a major concern.

=== Use and trade ===

The musk produced by the male Anhui musk deer is prized for its "masculine" and earthy aroma, thus it is widely used in cosmetics, as it has been for centuries. The scent glands contain alleged pharmaceutical and [[aphrodisiac]]al benefits (according to traditional Chinese medicine); despite the purported benefits and potential lucrative business or musk gland production, no sustainable option for musk gland harvest has, apparently, been suggested. Trade of musk is regulated by [[CITES]], but is not prohibited by the group.<ref>{{cite book |editor-last1=Rowe |editor-first1=David J. |author-link=Philip Kraft |last1=Kraft |first1=Philip |year=2004 |chapter=Aroma Chemicals IV: Musks |title=Chemistry and Technology of Flavours and Fragrances |publisher=Blackwell |isbn=0-8493-2372-X}}</ref> Each male musk deer can yield about {{cvt|25|g}} of the musk, which, while possible to be extracted from live animals, is (more often than not) simply taken from killed animals.<ref name="iucn" /> Musk glands will likely continue to be harvested from killed animals, mostly in poorer or rural populaces, as {{cvt|1|kg}} of musk can sell for around US$45,000.<ref name="iucn" />

Despite any official protections afforded to the species by China's government, including the killing of endangered species (such as the Anhui musk deer) being a criminal offense, hunting continues at a likely unsustainable rate, with no legal ramifications or incentives for hunters to stop. Most poachers are not charged with a crime, let alone apprehended, caught or otherwise reported. Furthermore, the hunting of most wildlife within China is not actively managed, regardless of the location being government/national park land, or the species' endangered status. Especially in more rural locales, away from the bustling metropolises, hunting is often considered one of the few options people have to survive, often at the expense of wildlife. Poorer regions, or more [[Agrarianism|agrarian]] communities, often view hunting as a viable source of much-needed income, considering a "hot" commodity, such as the musk deer's scent gland, can be sold with such a high price-tag. Poaching of Anhui musk deer likely has gone on, and will continue, completely unregulated, regardless of location or time of year.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Harris |first1=R.B. |title=Wildlife Conservation in China: Preserving the Habitat of China's Wild West |publisher=M. E. Sharpe |year=2007 |isbn=978-0765620576 |location=Armonk, New York, USA}}</ref>

== Conservation ==
Since 2002, the Anhui musk deer has been listed on the First Category of State Key Protected Wildlife List in [[China]], and is listed as critically endangered on the Chinese Red List. The species is also currently listed under [[Appendix II]] of [[CITES]]. There are currently no measures in place to prevent hunting or harvesting of the Anhui musk deer, nor provide any protected areas to preserve its habitat.<ref name=iucn /> Current population numbers are not currently known, with the last estimation being 700-800 individuals in 1985.<ref name="Yang-2003" />[[File:אייל מושק אנחווי - איור של משתמש-מנחם.אל.PNG|thumb|Moschus anhuiensis]]

==See also==
*[[List of endangered and protected species of China]]

==Notes==
{{NoteFoot}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Artiodactyla|R.}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q545537}}

[[Category:Mammals described in 1982]]
[[Category:Musk deer]]
[[Category:Endangered Fauna of China]]