Description of the giant muntjac (Megamuntiacus vuquangensis) in Laos

Abstract

The giant muntjac (Megamuntiacus vuquangensis) was discovered in 1994 in evergreen forests of the Annamite Mountains that border Laos (Lao People's Democratic Republic) and Vietnam. We describe its known distribution in Laos and provide the first detailed description of the species. Comparison of its skull and antlers with those of sympatric red muntjacs (Muntiacus muntjak) and other muntjacs support its designation as a distinct species. Morphological and genomic DNA data suggest that the giant muntjac belongs with other muntjacs in the genus Muntiacus and not in a genus of its own.