related to Reeve's muntjac. Although the muntjac deer has a long lineage, little has been studied in terms of their fossil record. The female Southern red muntjac deer is the mammal with the lowest recorded diploid number of chromosomes, where 2n = 6. The male has a diploid number of seven chromosomes. In comparison, the similar Reeves's muntjac (M. reevesi) has a diploid number of 46 chromosomes. Threats Most muntjacs species have played a major role in Southeastern Asia, being hunted for sport and for their meat and skin. Often, these animals are hunted around the outskirts of agricultural areas, as they are considered a nuisance for damaging crops and ripping bark from trees. References Further reading Muntjac Mammals of South Asia Mammals of Southeast Asia Southern red muntjac Taxa named by Eberhard August Wilhelm von Zimmermann