Which non-deer species is the tusked Chinese water deer often compared to morphologically?
Answer
Musk deer
The presence of prominent, projecting tusks in the males often leads to morphological comparisons between the Chinese water deer and musk deer. However, this comparison is significant because musk deer are biologically classified outside the true deer lineage, belonging to a different taxonomic family altogether. Despite this superficial resemblance in weaponry, the Chinese water deer maintains its classification as a true cervid, setting it apart from the species it resembles in this specific trait.
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