Yellow-striped chevrotain
The Gelbstreifenkantschil ( Moschiola kathygre ) is a poorly understood Artiodactyla from the kind of stain Kant Chile within the family of the mouse deer. It is endemic to Sri Lanka and was scientifically described in 2005.
Features
The head-body length is 43 to 51 centimeters, the tail length of 1 to 3 inches. The weight is not known. The coat color of the Gelbstreifenkantschils is much more intense and more ocher than in Ceylon Kantschil or in India Kantschil. Spots and stripes are yellowish and not white. Along the edges of at least two fairly complete longitudinal strip having an elongated spot number two spot rows in between and can be seen above. The upper strip surrounds the shoulder and merges with the front tuck. Above the hip are two broad stripes and a third further down the tail. The hip is densely spotted than in Ceylon Kantschil and the crown and the nose are less dark. On the underside a sharp contrast between a white central strip and the rest of light ocher color is visible. The lower leg of the hind legs are darker than the Ceylon Kantschil.
Distribution, habitat and way of life
The Gelbstreifenkantschil lives in the wetlands of Sri Lanka from Sinharaja Forest Reserve, on the lowlands around Colombo north to Katagamuwa to the border of the dry zone at 6 ° 24 ' N, 81 ° 25' O and up to the highlands in the Kandy district. The habitat is forests and wooded grasslands with lakes and rivers. Apparently, the animals come but also in urban bush forests and rice terraces. Probably the Gelbstreifenkantschil is more common in secondary forests than in primary forests. Also in rubber plantations and gardens he had already been observed. About his life nothing is known.
Status
The IUCN classifies the Gelbstreifenkantschil as " not at risk " ( least concern ). The size of its habitat is estimated to 15,000 km ², the area of available habitat probably represents only 1500 km ². On the basis of these estimates would probably be an upgrade " at risk " category ( vulnerable ) possible. Although the species is commonly hunted with firearms, there is no evidence that the inventory numbers drop resistant.