Unique pits on the erythrocytes of the lesser mouse-deer, Tragulus javanicus

The lesser mouse-deer, Tragulus javanicus, is the smallest living ungulate and it possesses the smallest erythrocytes amongst mammalian species. We observed pits on its erythrocytes by scanning electron microscopy. They were 68-390 nm in diameter (135 +/- 65 nm) and appeared in 12.8% of erythrocytes examined. They represent unique structures that have not previously been reported physiologically or pathologically.