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A novel white mouse deer observation in Brunei Darussalam

Lookup NU author(s): Natasha MannionORCiD, Dr Rachel GaultonORCiD, Professor Marion PfeiferORCiD

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).


Abstract

Pure white animals have long been regarded as unusual and prized by hunters. For the first time, we report an incidence of a white lesser mouse deer (Tragulus kanchil), observed by camera trap in Brunei Darussalam. This adult individual was recorded on four separate occasions in the same location. Although the underlying cause of this rare phenotype is undeterminable from camera trap images, the individual does not display the pink eyes commonly characteristic of albinism. It is surprising that this individual has survived to adulthood, as its bright white colouration makes it more vulnerable to predation, as well as a target for hunters. Further study of this individual could reveal insights into how it has survived, and the genetic health of the local population of T. kanchil.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Mannion NLM, Charles JK, Gaulton R, Wong Sia How J, Khalid S, Pfeifer M, Slik JWF

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Mammalia

Year: 2023

Volume: 87

Issue: 6

Pages: 587-590

Online publication date: 20/10/2023

Acceptance date: 12/09/2023

Date deposited: 30/10/2023

ISSN (print): 0025-1461

ISSN (electronic): 1864-1547

Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH

URL: https://doi.org/10.1515/mammalia-2023-0080

DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2023-0080

ePrints DOI: 10.57711/g5ya-yn71

Data Access Statement: The data summarised in the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. The dataset generated during the wider camera trapping study are not yet publicly available due to their forming the basis of Miss Mannion’s PhD research, which is not yet complete. The data referred to in the current study (camera trap images, summary of camera trap records, location) are not made publicly available due to the risk of hunting in the study area.


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
IAPETUS2 Doctoral Training Partnership (NERC)
Newcastle University Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering and Research, England
Newcastle University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Pioneer Award 2021
Royal Geographical Society RGS-IBG Postgraduate Research Award

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