Pud

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For the district in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, see Pudu, Kuala Lumpur.

Pud
Temporal range: Pleistocene Recent

Southern pud

Conservation status

Endangered (IUCN 3.1)

Scientific classification

Kingdom:

Animalia

Phylum:

Chordata

Class:

Mammalia

Order:

Artiodactyla

Family:

Cervidae

Subfamily:

Capreolinae

Genus:

Pudu
Gray, 1852

Species

P. puda (Molina, 1782) P. mephistophiles (de Winton, 1896) Synonyms Pudua Garrod, 1877 Pudella Thomas, 1913
The puds (Mapudungun pd or pdu)[1] are two subspecies of South American deer from the genus Pudu, and are the world's smallest deer.[2] The name is a loanword from Mapudungun, the language of the indigenous Mapuche people of southern Chile.[3] The two species of puds are the northern pud (Pudu mephistophiles) from Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, and the southern pud[4] (Pudu puda; sometimes incorrectly modified to Pudu pudu[5]) from southern Chile and southwestern Argentina.[6] Puds range in size from 32 to 44 centimeters (13 to 17 in) tall, and up to 85 centimeters (33 in) long.[7] As of 2009, both species are classified as "Endangered" in the IUCN Red List.[8][9]
Contents
[hide]

1 Taxonomy 2 Description 3 Habitat and distribution 4 Behavior

o o o

4.1 Social 4.2 Diet 4.3 Reproduction

5 Endangerment and conservation

o o

5.1 Status and conservation 5.2 Threats

6 Notes

Taxonomy[edit]
The genus Pudu was first erected by English naturalist John Edward Gray in 1850. Pudua was a Latinized version of the name proposed by Alfred Henry Garrod in 1877 but was ruled invalid. Pud are classified in the New World deer subfamily Capreolinae within the deer family Cervidae. The term "pud" itself is derived from the Mapuche people of the Chilean region and translates to 'the people of southern Chile'.[3] Because they live on the slopes of theAndes Mountain Range, they are also known as the "Chilean mountain goat".[10] Two similar species of puds are recognised:

The southern pud (Pudu puda) is the better-known species found in the Southern Andes of Chile and Argentina. It is slightly larger than its sister species, the Northern pud, being 35 to 45 centimeters (14 to 18 in) tall at the shoulder and weighs 6.4 to 13.4 kilograms (14 to 30 lb).[11] The antlers of the southern pud grow to be 5.3 to 9 centimeters (2.1 to 3.5 in) long and tend to curve back, somewhat like a mountain goat. Their coat is a dark chestnut-brown, and tends to tuft in the front, covering the antlers.[12] It is found at lower elevations than its sister species, from sea level to 2,000 meters (6,600 ft).

The northern pud (Pudu mephistophiles), found in the Andes of Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador, is the smallest species of deer in the world, being 32 to 35 centimeters (13 to 14 in) tall at the shoulder and weighs 3.3 to 6 kilograms (7.3 to 13.2 lb).[11] The antlers of the northern pud grow to about 6 centimeters (2.4 in) long, also curving backward. Their coat tends to be lighter than that of the southern pud, but their faces are darker compared to the coat.[11] It is found at higher altitudes than its sister species, from 2,000 to 4,000 meters (6,600 to 13,100 ft) above sea level.

Description[edit]
The puds are the world's smallest deer, with the southern pud being slightly larger than the northern pud.[2] It has a stocky frame supported by four short and slender legs. It is 32 to 44 centimeters (13 to 17 in) high at the shoulder and up to 85 centimeters (33 in) in length. Puds normally weigh up to 12 kilograms (26 lb),[7] but the highest recorded weight of a pud is 13.4 kilograms (30 lb).[3] Puds have small, black eyes,[2] black noses, and rounded ears with lengths of 7.5 to 8 centimeters (3.0 to 3.1 in). Sexual dimorphism in the species includes an absence of antlers in females. Males have short, spiked antlers that are not forked, as seen in most species of deer. The antlers, which are shed annually,[13] can extend from 6.5 to 7.5 centimeters (2.6 to 3.0 in) in length and protrude from between the ears.[7] Also on the head are large preorbital glands. Puds have small hooves, dewclaws, and a short tail about 4 to 4.5 centimeters (1.6 to 1.8 in) in length when measured without hair. Coat coloration varies with season, gender, and individual genes. The fur is long and

stiff, typically pressed close to the body, with a reddish brown to dark brown hue.[14] The neck and shoulders of an aged pud turn a dark gray-brown in the winter.[7]

Habitat and distribution[edit]

Male southern pud; Los Lagos Region.

The pud inhabits temperate rainforests in South America, where the dense underbrush and bamboo thickets offer protection from predators.[15]Southern Chile, southwest Argentina, Chilo Island, and northwest South America are home to the deer.[3][7] The northern pud is found in the NorthernAndes of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, from 2,000 to 4,000 meters (6,600 to 13,100 ft) above sea level. The Southern species is found in the slope of the Southern Andes from sea level to 2,000 meters (6,600 ft). The climate of the pud's habitat is composed of two main seasons: a damp, moderate winter and an arid summer. Annual precipitation in these areas of Argentina and Chile ranges from 2 to 4 meters (6.6 to 13.1 ft).[16]

Behavior[edit]
Social[edit]
The pud is a solitary animal whose behavior in the wild is largely unknown because of its secretive nature.[17] Puds are nocturnal and diurnal, but are mostly active in the morning, late afternoon, and evening. Their home range generally extends about 16 to 25 hectares (40 to 62 acres), much of which consists of crisscrossing pud-trodden paths. Each pud has its own home range, or territory.[16] A single animal's territory is marked with sizabledung piles found on paths and near eating and resting areas. Large facial glands for

scent communication allow correspondence with other pud deer.[13] Puds do not interact socially, other than to mate.[16] An easily frightened animal, the deer barks when in fear.[10][18] Its fur bristles and the pud shivers when angered.[10] Predators of the puds include the Horned owl, Andean fox, Magellan fox, cougar, and other small cats. The pud is a wary animal that moves slowly and stops often, smelling the air for scents of predators. Being a proficient climber, jumper, and sprinter, the deer flees in a zigzag path when being pursued. [19] The longevity of the puds ranges from 8 to 10 years in the wild.[18] The longest recorded life span is 15 years and 9 months. However, such longevity is rare and most puds die at a much younger age. These deer die from a wide range of causes. Maternal neglect as newborns as well as a wide range of diseases can decrease the population. [3] A popular rumor is that if alarmed to a high degree puds die from fear-induced cardiac complications.[10]

Diet[edit]
The puds are herbivorous,[10] consuming vines, leaves from low trees, shrubs, succulent sprouts, herbs, ferns, blossoms, buds, tree bark, and fallen fruit.[16][20][21] They can survive without drinking water for long periods due to the high water content of the succulent foliage in their diet.[2] Puds have various methods of obtaining the foliage they need. Their small stature and cautious nature create obstacles in attaining food.[21] They stop often while searching for food to stand on their hind legs and smell the wind, detecting food scents.[16][19] Females and fawns peel bark from saplings using their teeth, but mature males may use their spikelike antlers. The deer may use their front legs to press down on saplings until they snap or become low enough to the ground so that the puds can reach the leaves. Forced to stand on their hind legs due to their small size, the deer climb branches and tree stumps to reach higher foliage.[13] They bend bamboo shoots horizontally in order to walk on them and eat from higher branches.[16]

Reproduction[edit]

Pud fawn at a rehabilitation center,Llanquihue Province.

Small pud

Puds are solitary and only come together for rut. Mating season is in the Southern Hemisphere autumn, from April to May.[15] Pud DNA is arranged into 70 chromosomes.[3] To mate, the pud male rests his chin on the female's back, then sniffs her rear before mounting her from behind, holding her with his forelegs.[16]The gestation period ranges from 202 to 223 days (around 7 months) with the average being 210 days.[3] A single offspring or sometimes twins are born in austral spring, from November to January.[15][18] Newborns weigh 700 to 1,000 grams (25 to 35 oz) with the average birth weight being 890 grams (31 oz).[3][7] Newborns less than 600 grams (21 oz) or more than 1,000 grams (35 oz) die. Females and males weigh the same at birth.[3] Fawns have reddish brown fur and southern pud fawns have white spots running the length of their back.[7] Young are weaned after 2 months. Females mature sexually in 6 months while males mature in 812 months.[13] Fawns are fully grown in 3 months but may stay with their mothers for 8 to 12 months.[15]

Endangerment and conservation[edit]

Status and conservation[edit]
As of 2009, both species of puds are classified as "Endangered" in the IUCN Red List,[9][22] mainly because of overhunting and habitat loss. Pudu puda is listed in CITES Appendix I, and Pudu mephistophiles is listed in CITES Appendix II.[23] The Southern species is more easily maintained in captivity than the Northern, though small populations of the Northern formerly existed in zoos.[3] As of 2010, more than 100 southern puds are kept at ISIS registered institutions with the vast majority in European and US zoos.[24] Puds are difficult to transport because they are easily overheated and stressed.[7] Puds are protected in various national parks. Parks require resources in order to enforce protection of the deer.[15]

Southern pud in captivity atBristol Zoo

There are efforts to preserve the pud species before they become extinct. An international captive breeding program for the southern pud led by Concepcion University in Chile has been started.[13][25] Some deer have been bred in captivity and re-introduced into Nahuel Huapi National Park in Argentina.[7] Reintroduction efforts include the use of radio collars for tracking.[26] The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species has banned the international trading of puds.[15] The Wildlife Conservation Society protects their natural habitat and works to recreate it for puds in captivity.[19] Despite efforts made by theWorld Wildlife Fund (WWF), the size of the pud population remains unknown.[16] Threats to the puds remain despite various conservation efforts.[15]

Threats[edit]
The puds are threatened due to the destruction of their rainforest habitat. The land is cleared for human development, cattle ranching, agriculture, logging, and exotic tree plantations.[2][13][15] Habitat fragmentation and road accidents cause pud deaths. They are taken from the wild as pets, as well as exported illegally. [7][15] They are overhunted and killed for food by specially trained hunting dogs.[2][15][26] The recently introduced red deer compete with puds for food. Domestic dogs prey upon puds and transfer parasites through contact. Puds are very susceptible to diseases like bladder worms, lungworms, roundworms, and heartworms.[15][19]

Notes[edit]
1. Jump up^ Muoz Urrutia, Rafael, ed. (2006). Diccionario Mapuche: Mapudungun/Espaol, Espaol/Mapudungun (in Spanish) (2nd ed.). Santiago, Chile. p. 184. ISBN 956-8287-99-X. Unknown parameter|editorial= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help); 2. 3. ^ Jump up to: ^ Jump up to:
a b c d e f

"Southern Pudu". Animal Planet. 2009. Retrieved 19 September 2009. Benirschke, Kurt (2004). "Chilean (Southern) Pudu". University of California,

a b c d e f g h i j

San Diego. Retrieved 17 September 2009.

4. 5.

Jump up^ Huffman, Brent (2006). "Southern Pudu". Retrieved 2009-09-17. Jump up^ Hershkovitz, Philip (1982). Neotropical deer (Cervidae) : Part I. Pudus, genus Pudu Gray. Pp. 60-61. Fieldiana Zoology new series, no.11.

6.

Jump up^ Grubb, P. (16 November 2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M, eds. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.

7.

^ Jump up to:

a b c d e f g h i j

Schrer, Ulrich (1986). "Pudu pudu". Convention on International Trade in

[dead link]

Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Retrieved 17 September 2009. 8.

Jump up^ Jimenez, J. & Ramilo, E. (2008). Pudu puda. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 10 April 2009. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of vulnerable.

9.

^ Jump up to:

a b

Barrio, J. & Tirira, D. (2008). Pudu mephistophiles. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of

Threatened Species. Retrieved 10 April 2009. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of vulnerable. 10. ^ Jump up to:
a b c d e

"Fauna of Patagonia: rainforest fauna Chile". Elavellano Lodge. Retrieved 19

September 2009. 11. ^ Jump up to:

[dead link]

a b c

Geist, Valerius (September 1998). Deer of the World: Their Evolution, Behaviour, and

Ecology. Stackpole Books. pp. 119121. ISBN 978-0-8117-0496-0. 12. Jump up^ "Forest South America". Animal Welfare Institute. Retrieved 20 September 2009. 13. ^ Jump up to:
a b c d e f

"Southern Pudu". Bristol Zoo. Retrieved 19 September 2009.

14. Jump up^ Meyer W, Seegers U, Bock M. (2007). "Annual secretional activity of the skin glands in the Southern pudu (Pudu puda Molina 1782, Cervidae)".Mammalian Biology 73: 392 95. doi:10.1016/j.mambio.2007.10.006. 15. ^ Jump up to:
a b c d e f g h i j k

"Southern Pudu". Environment Agency Abu Dhabi. Arkive Images of Life

on Earth. Retrieved 19 September 2009. 16. ^ Jump up to:

a b c d e f g h

Pollard, Sarah. "Pudu Puda". University of Michigan. Museum of Zoology.

Retrieved 17 September 2009. 17. Jump up^ "The Wildlife of Northern Patagonia". Frontier Patagonia. Retrieved 20 September 2009. 18. ^ Jump up to: 19. ^ Jump up to:
a b c

"Southern Pudu". Brevard Zoo. 2009. Retrieved 19 September 2009. Williams, Jasmin (22 May 2008). "Meet the World's Smallest Deer". New York Post.

a b c d

Retrieved 17 September 2009. 20. Jump up^ "Pudu". Chester Zoo. 2009. Archived from the original on April 19, 2008. Retrieved 19 September 2009. 21. ^ Jump up to:
a b

"Southern Pudu". Los Angeles Zoo. Retrieved 19 September 2009.

[dead link]

22. Jump up^ Barrio, J. & Tirira, D. (2008). "Pudu mephistophiles". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.1. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 2010-01-09. 23. Jump up^ CITES Appendix I, II, and III 24. Jump up^ ISIS (2010) Pudu puda. Version 27 October 2010 25. Jump up^ Jimenez, J.; E. Ramilo (2008). "Pudu puda". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 2009-12-25. 26. ^ Jump up to:
a b

"Chilean Pudu". Minnesota Zoo. 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2009.