Chital
Chital | |
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Stag | |
Doe Both in Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Artiodactyla |
Family: | Cervidae |
Subfamily: | Cervinae |
Genus: | Axis |
Species: | A. axis
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Binomial name | |
Axis axis (Erxleben, 1777)
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Distribution of chital (2011)[2] | |
Synonyms[3][4] | |
List
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The chital or cheetal (Axis axis; , throat, insides of legs, ears, and tail are all white. The antlers, three-pronged, are nearly 1 m (3 ft 3 in) long.
Etymology
The vernacular name "chital" (pronounced
Taxonomy and phylogeny
The chital was first
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Muntjacs (Muntiacus) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fossils of extinct Axis species dating to the early to
Description
The chital is a moderately sized deer. Males reach up to 90–100 cm (35–39 in) and females 65–75 cm (26–30 in) at the shoulder; the head-and-body length is around 1.7 m (5 ft 7 in). While immature males weigh 30–75 kg (66–165 lb), the lighter females weigh 25–45 kg (55–99 lb). Mature stags can weigh up to 98–110 kg (216–243 lb).[15]
The tail, 20 cm (7.9 in) long, is marked by a dark stripe that stretches along its length. The species is sexually dimorphic; males are larger than females, and antlers are present only on males.[16]
The
Each of the antlers has three lines on it. The brow
Hooves measure between 4.1 and 6.1 cm (1.6 and 2.4 in) in length; hooves of the fore legs are longer than those of the hind legs. The toes taper to a point.
Distribution and habitat
The chital ranges over 8–30°N in
Australia
The chital was the first species of deer introduced into Australia in the early 1800s by John Harris, surgeon to the New South Wales Corps, and he had about 400 of these animals on his property by 1813. These did not survive, and the primary range of the chital is now confined to a few cattle stations in North Queensland near Charters Towers and several feral herds on the NSW north and south[citation needed] coasts. While some of the stock originated from Sri Lanka (Ceylon), the Indian race likely is also represented.[28][29]
United States
In the 1860s, chital were introduced to the island of
Chital were introduced to
Releasing them on the island of Hawaii was planned, but was abandoned after pressure from scientists over damage to landscapes caused by the chital on other islands. In 2012, chital were spotted on the island of Hawaii; wildlife officials think that people had flown them by helicopter and transported them by boat onto the island. In August 2012, a helicopter pilot pleaded guilty to transporting four chital from Maui to Hawaii.[34] Hawaii law now prohibits "the intentional possession or interisland transportation or release of wild or feral deer."[35]
In 1932, chital were introduced to Texas. In 1988, self-sustaining herds were present in 27 counties in Central and South Texas.[36] The chital is most populous on the Edwards Plateau.[37]
Croatia
Chital of unknown origin were introduced to the islands of
Colombia
There have been sightings of herds of introduced chital in an interandean valley near the municipality of Puerto Triunfo in Antioquia Department.[39]
Behaviour and ecology
Chital are active throughout the day. In the summer, time is spent in rest under shade, and the sun's glare is avoided if the temperature reaches 80 °F (27 °C); activity peaks as dusk approaches. As days grow cooler, foraging begins before sunrise and peaks by early morning. Activity slows down during midday, when the animals rest or loiter about slowly. Foraging recommences by late afternoon and continues till midnight. They fall asleep a few hours before sunrise, typically in the forest which is cooler than the glades.[26] These deer typically move in a single file on specific tracks, with a distance of two to three times their width between them, when on a journey, typically in search of food and water sources.[16] A study in the Gir National Park (Gujarat, India) showed that chital travel the most in summer of all seasons.[40]
When cautiously inspecting its vicinity, the chital stands motionless and listens with rapt attention, facing the potential danger, if any. This stance may be adopted by nearby individuals, as well. As an antipredator measure, chital flee in groups (unlike the hog deer that disperse on alarm); sprints are often followed by hiding in dense
A gregarious animal, the chital forms matriarchal herds comprising an adult female and her offspring of the previous and the present year, which may be associated with individuals of any age and either sex, male herds, and herds of juveniles and mothers.[21][41] Small herds are common, though aggregations of as many as 100 individuals have been observed.[16] Groups are loose and disband frequently, save for the juvenile-mother herd.[42] Herd membership in Texas is typically up to 15;[21] herds can have five to 40 members in India.[26][43] Studies in the Nallamala Hills (Andhra Pradesh, India) and the Western Ghats (western coast of India) showed seasonal variation in the sex ratio of herds; this was attributed to the tendency of females to isolate themselves ahead of parturition. Similarly, rutting males leave their herds during the mating season, hence altering the herd composition.[41] Large herds are most common in monsoon, observed foraging in the grasslands.[43]
Predators of chitals include Indian wolves, tigers, Asiatic lions, leopards, pythons, dholes, Indian pariah dogs, and crocodiles. Fishing cats, jungle cats, foxes, golden jackals and eagles target juveniles. Males are less vulnerable than females and juveniles.[18][26]
A vocal animal, the chital, akin to the
Marking behaviour is pronounced in males. Males have well-developed preorbital glands (near the eyes). They stand on their hind legs to reach tall branches and rub the open preorbital glands to deposit their scent there. This posture is also used while foraging. Urine marking is also observed; the smell of urine is typically stronger than that of the deposited scent. Sparring between males begins with the larger male displaying his dominance before the other; this display consists of hissing heading away from the other male with the tail facing him, the nose pointing to the ground, the ears down, the antlers upright, and the upper lip raised. The fur often bristles during the display. The male approaches the other in a slow gait. Males with velvet antlers may hunch over instead of standing erect as the males with hard antlers. The opponents then interlock their horns and push against each other, with the smaller male producing a sound at times which is louder than that produced by sambar deer, but not as much as the barasinga's. The fight terminates with the males stepping backward, or simply leaving and foraging.[18] Fights are not generally serious.[26]
Individuals may occasionally bite one another.
Diet
Grazers as well as
Reproduction
Breeding takes place throughout the year, with peaks that vary geographically. Sperm is produced year-round, though testosterone levels register a fall during the development of the antlers. Females have regular oestrus cycles, each lasting three weeks. The female can conceive again two weeks to four months after the birth. Males sporting hard antlers are dominant over those in velvet or those without antlers, irrespective of their size. Courtship is based on tending bonds. A rutting male fasts during the mating season and follows and guards a female in oestrus. The pair does several bouts of chasing and mutual licking before copulation.[18]
The newborn is hidden for a week after birth, a period much shorter than most other deer. The mother-fawn bond is not very strong, as the two get separated often, though they can reunite easily as the herds are cohesive. If the fawn dies, the mother can breed once again so as to give birth twice that year. The males continue their growth till seven to eight years. The average lifespan in captivity is nearly 22 years. The longevity in the wild, however, is merely five to ten years.[18][26]
The chital is found in large numbers in dense deciduous or semievergreen forests and open grasslands.[26] The highest numbers of chital are found in the forests of India, where they feed upon tall grass and shrubs. Chital have been also spotted in Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary in Bhutan, which has the only remaining natural sal (Shorea robusta) forest in the country. They do not occur at high altitudes, where they are usually replaced by other species such as the sambar deer. They also prefer heavy forest cover for shade and avoid direct sunlight.[18]
Conservation status
The chital is listed on the
The chital has been introduced to the
With effect from 2 August 2022, the European Union added the chital to the list of invasive alien species and banned its import into the EU.[50]
See also
References
- ^ PMID 27667928.)
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- ^ ISBN 978-1-4614-3449-8.
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- ^ "Chital". Dictionary.com Unabridged (Online). n.d. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
- ^ Platts, J. T. (1884). "चीतल ćītal". A Dictionary of Urdu, Classical Hindi, and English. London: W. H. Allen & Co. p. 470.
- ^ "Cheetah". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
- ^ "Chital". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
- ^ Erxleben, J. C. P. (1777). "Axis". Systema Regni Animalis per Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, Varietates cvm Synonymia et Historia Animalivm (in Latin). p. 312.
- ^ Cuvier, G. (1827). The Animal Kingdom arranged in Conformity with its Organization. Vol. 5. London: William Clowes. p. 312.
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- ^ Di Stefano, G. & Petronio, C. (2002). "Systematics and evolution of the Eurasian Plio-Pleistocene tribe Cervini (Artiodactyla, Mammalia)" (PDF). Geologica Romana. 36 (311): e334. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 March 2016.
- ^ a b c d Waring, G.H. (1996). "Preliminary study of the behavior and ecology of axis deer on Maui, Hawaii". Online Report Presented by the Hawaii Ecosystems at Risk (HEAR) Project. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4773-0886-8. Archived from the originalon 31 December 2017.
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- ^ ISBN 978-081170496-0.
- ^ Groves, C.; Grubb, P. (1982). "Relationships of living deer". Biology and Management of the Cervidae: A Conference Held at the Conservation and Research Center, National Zoological Park, Smithsonian Institution, Front Royal, Virginia, 1–5 August 1982: 21–59.
- ^ Müller-Schwarze, D. (1982). "Evolution of cervid olfactory communication". Biology and Management of the Cervidae: A Conference Held at the Conservation and Research Center, National Zoological Park, Smithsonian Institution, Front Royal, Virginia, 1–5 August 1982: 223–234.
- ^ ISBN 978-089096196-4.
- ^ Fletcher, T.J. (1986). "Reproduction: seasonality". Management and Diseases of Deer: A Handbook for the Veterinary Surgeon: 17–18.
- ^ Kay, R.N.B.; Phillippo, M.; Suttie, J.M.; Wenham, G. (1982). "The growth and mineralization of antlers". Journal of Physiology. 322: 4.
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- ^ ISBN 978-022673631-0.
- ^ a b Sankar, K. & Acharya, B. (2004). "Chital (Axis axis (Erxleben, 1777)". ENVIS Bulletin (7): 171–180.
- ^ "Australia's Wild Deer". Australian Deer Research Foundation (ADRF). Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ^ "Deer in Australia". Australian Deer Association. Archived from the original on 20 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
- ^ Jones, Caleb (9 February 2021). "Deer native to India starve to death amid drought in Hawaii". Associated Press. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- ^ McAvoy, A. (2012). "Mystery deer growth pitting hunters against Hawaii". Associated Press. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
- ^ Nosowitz, Dan (24 May 2021). "The Struggle to Contain, and Eat, the Invasive Deer Taking over Hawaii". Modern Farmer. Hudson, New York. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- Food and Wine. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- ^ McAvoy, A. (2012). "Alleged animal smugglers used helicopters to fly sheep to Maui, deer to Big Island". Associated Press. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
- ^ "New law prohibits having or releasing feral deer in Hawaii". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. 21 June 2012. Archived from the original on 26 June 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
- ^ Davis, W. B.; Schmidly, D. J. "Axis Deer". The Mammals of Texas – Online Edition. Texas Tech University. Archived from the original on 31 December 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
- ^ Ables, E. D. "Axis Deer". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
- ISBN 9780521760614.
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- ^ Dave, C.V. (2008). Ecology of Chital (Axis axis) in Gir (PDF) (PhD thesis). Saurashtra University. pp. 21–209. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
- ^ .
- ^ de Silva, P.K.; de Silva, M. (1993). "Population structure and activity rhythm of the spotted deer in Ruhuna National Park, Sri Lanka". Developments in Animal and Veterinary Sciences (26): 285–294.
- ^ .
- ^ Mishra, H. and Wemmer, C. 1987. "The comparative breeding ecology of four cervids in Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal". Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.
- ^ Prasad, S.; Chellam, R.; Krishnaswamy, J.; Goyal, S.P. (2004). "Frugivory of Phyllanthus emblica at Rajaji National Park, northwest India" (PDF). Current Science. 87 (9): 1188–1190. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 22 February 2008.
- .
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- ^ First record of the invasive alien species Axis axis (Erxleben, 1777) (Artiodactyla: Cervidae) in Brazil
- ^ Ciervo Axis (Axis axis)
- ^ "Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1203 of 12 July 2022". Official Journal of the European Union. 2022. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
External links
- Data related to Axis axis at Wikispecies