Systematic review and analysis of the taxonomy of musk deer in Kashmir

Elucidating the taxonomy of species is important for conservation purposes, but unfortunately musk deer in Kashmir have not been studied extensively. Examination of the museum specimens of musk deer from the Kashmir region indicated that in Kashmir there are possibly two species. Field studies in Jammu and Kashmir revealed that the musk deer occurring in the Wardwan – Kishtwar belt are apparently different from those that occur in the main part of Kashmir. This study is based on a systematic review of the literature on the taxonomy of musk deer in Kashmir along with some personal field observations. The species most predominantly occurring in Kashmir is the Kashmir musk deer (Moschus cupreus). The other possible species is Himalayan musk deer (Moschus leucogaster) occurring mostly in the Wardwan – Kishtwar belt of Jammu and Kashmir. The affinities of musk deer in Kashmir with other species of musk deer are also studied.