Genetic evidence indicates the occurrence of the Endangered Kashmir musk deer Moschus cupreus in Uttarakhand, India

A genetic analysis reveals the presence of the Endangered Kashmir musk deer (Moschus cupreus) in Uttarakhand, India, a region where it was previously undocumented. Using mitochondrial DNA control region sequencing and Bayesian phylogenetic analysis, researchers compared samples from Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary and Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve with those from Jammu and Kashmir and Nepal. The findings confirm that the Uttarakhand samples belong to M. cupreus, distinct from the sympatric Himalayan musk deer (Moschus leucogaster). This discovery challenges existing range maps and suggests a need for revising the IUCN Red List assessment to improve conservation efforts for this threatened species.

Kumar, A., Singh, B., Sahoo, S., Gautam, K. B., & Gupta, S. K. (2022). Genetic evidence indicates the occurrence of the Endangered Kashmir musk deer Moschus cupreus in Uttarakhand, India. Oryx, 56(3), 367–372. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0030605321000417