The Chinese water deer, Hydropotes inermis—A fast-growing and productive ruminant

摘要: The Chinese water deer is the most prolific ruminant. species probably shows other characteristics favouring high productivity and population dynamics. Data on growth, maturity, reproduction length of life were collected by monitoring a large semi-wild for 3 years. These data compared with those known eight rodents 22 artiodactyls similar body size. Values longevity age at sexual maturity are among lowest artiodactyls. young grow faster than precocious in terms their weaning end eruption molars. Lastly, both death rate renewal individuals higher. appears to be far dynamic ruminant, comparable rodents. This enables colonize new areas rapidly. peculiarities fit morphological anatomical features can considered as retained ancestral characters. A plausible explanation could lie ecological plasticity species.