48.

Mexican Red Brocket

Mazama temama

French: Mazame de Hernandez / German: Mexico-GroRmazama / Spanish: Corzuela temama

Other common names: Central American Red Brocket

Taxonomy. Cervus temama Kerr, 1792,

Mirador, Veracruz (Mexico).

For decades this species was considered part of M. americana. The scientific name refers to an animal the explorer and naturalist F. Hernandez called “temamacame” in 1651. Three subspecies are recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

M.t.temamaKerr,1792—SMexico.

M.t.cerasinaHollister,1914—PanamaandNWColombia.

M. t. reperticia Goldman, 1913 — from Guatemala and Belize to Costa Rica.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 80-110 cm, tail 10-14 cm, shoulder height 60-70 cm; weight 12-32 kg. The back is reddish, the head and throat are brown or reddish, the underparts are white. The forelegs are shorter than the hindlegs.

Habitat. It is more common in well-preserved forests, especially humid ones. It can be found up to 2800 m above sea level. It is a species that seems to prefer primary tropical rainforest areas but has been recorded in areas of secondary vegetation as well.

Food and Feeding. Although it is mainly frugivorous, the diet includes fallen fruits and seeds, grasses, shoots, vines, and crops such as beans where available.

Breeding. Mating occurs throughout the year. After a gestation of 225 days females give birth to a single fawn weighing 0.5-1. 4 kg; occasionally twins are born. The young remain with the mother through the first year. Females can breed at about one year, but the age of sexual maturity of males is unknown. One captive lived almost 14 years.

Activity patterns. Reported by different authorities as being diurnal, nocturnal, or crepuscular. Seldom seen and little known because of extreme shyness and wariness. Often remains motionless when danger is sensed. Lacks endurance compared to other deer, and can be run down and killed by an ordinary dog. Excellent swimmer, easily crossing large rivers.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Relatively sedentary, with a small home range, and adult males are territorial. The Mexican Red Brocket is basically solitary or a female may travel with her young. Males and females come together only briefly to mate.

Status and Conservation. Race cerasina CITES Appendix III. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List since its taxonomic status is unclear and the information on distribution and abundance are scant. Hunting and habitat loss and degradation are the main threats.

Bibliography. Bello et al. (2008), Bello-Gutiérrez et al. (2010).