Identification and geographical distribution of wild musk deer species in North China

doi:10.17520/biods.2024505

Biodiv Sci ›› 2025, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (7): 24505. DOI: 10.17520/biods.2024505 cstr: 32101.14.biods.2024505

• Original Papers: Animal Diversity • Previous Articles Next Articles

Identification and geographical distribution of wild musk deer species in North China

Xianna Lan¹, Yixin Li¹, Luyao Hai¹, Zhengwei Luo¹, Xuelin Jin⁴, Xinghu Qin¹, Defu Hu^1*, Gang Liu^2,3*

1 School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China

2 Institute of Ecological Conservation and Restoration, State Key Laboratory of Wetland Conservation and Restoration, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China

3 Institute of Wetland Research, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecological Function and Restoration, Beijing 100091, China

4 Shaanxi Institute of Zoology, Xi’an 710032, China

Received:2024-11-21 Revised:2025-04-13 Accepted:2025-07-07 Online:2025-07-20 Published:2025-08-27
Contact: Defu Hu, Gang Liu

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims: The family Moschidae includes small ruminants endemic to forest environments in East Asia, mainly distributed in China and neighboring countries. In the North China zoogeographical region, records of musk deer species are inconsistent, and systematic research on species identification is lacking. This study aimed to clarify the species identity of musk deer and analyze their geographical distribution in North China.

Methods: From February to October 2023, a total of 210 samples (208 fecal samples and 2 tissue samples) were collected from four mountain ranges: Lüliang, Zhongtiao, and Taiyue in Shanxi Province, and Huanglong in Shaanxi Province. Mitochondrial 16S rRNA and Cytb gene fragments were used, resulting in 272 successfully sequenced fragments. Sequences were aligned and compared with known reference sequences. The geographical distribution, genetic distances, and phylogenetic relationships of musk deer in North China were analyzed.

Results: Molecular analysis identified all sampled individuals as forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii), with no Siberian musk deer (M. moschiferus) detected. Phylogenetic analysis showed genetic distances between the North China population and other population of M. berezovskii were 0.18% (16S rRNA) and 0.70% (Cytb). Combined with morphological traits and geographical distribution, this suggests the North China population may represent a new geographical sub-species. Geographical distribution analysis revealed that water availability, thermal conditions, vegetation, and human disturbance significantly influence the distribution of forest musk deer in North China. The current distribution is primarily concentrated in mountainous forest belts of the North China region and the Loess Plateau subregion, showing a southwest-northeast (SW-NE) mountain-oriented distribution pattern.

Conclusions: The musk deer population in North China belongs to forest musk deer rather than Siberian musk deer. It may constitute a new subspecies or geographical variant of M. berezovskii whose distribution is significantly influenced by mountain connectivity and hydrothermal conditions.

Key words: forest musk deer, North China, 16S rRNA, Cytb, distribution pattern

Xianna Lan, Yixin Li, Luyao Hai, Zhengwei Luo, Xuelin Jin, Xinghu Qin, Defu Hu, Gang Liu. Identification and geographical distribution of wild musk deer species in North China[J]. Biodiv Sci, 2025, 33(7): 24505.

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URL: https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/10.17520/biods.2024505

https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/Y2025/V33/I7/24505

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Identification and geographical distribution of wild musk deer species in North China

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