Morpho-Physiological Studies On The Digestive Tract Of The Mousedeer (Tragulus Javanicus)

Although the mousedeer ( Tragulus javanicus) is considered a ruminant , its stomach comprises of three compartments only namely, rumen , reticulum and abomasum . Few published work on the digestive system of this animal are in isolated areas . As it is becoming more important as a laboratory ruminant model , the present study will provide additional and more comprehensive in formation on the animal , particularly on the morpho -physiology of its digestive tract . This study assists in the comparison of mousedeer with other ruminants and attempts to classify it in the most appropriate category of ruminants. Morphological study and distribution of lingual papillae showed that the mousedeer has a tongue similar to that of a pig which is a non - ruminant.However , it is still considered a ruminant because it has a compound stomach where the omasum is under developed.