Servaline genet

Servaline genet

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)<ref = name=iucn/>
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Viverridae
Genus: Genetta
Species: G. servalina
Binomial name
Genetta servalina
Pucheran, 1855
Servaline genet range

The servaline genet (Genetta servalina) is a genet species native to Central Africa. As it is widely distributed and considered common, it is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.[1]

Characteristics

The servaline genet's fur is rufous with black spots on neck, back and sides. Its feet are black. Its long tail is banded with wide black and narrow white rings.[2] It is short-haired and has a dark broken stripe along the spine. The tip of its tail is bright.[3]

Measurements of male museum specimens range from 490 to 510 mm (19 to 20 in) in head and body with a 450 to 465 mm (17.7 to 18.3 in) long tail. Females range from 445 to 495 mm (17.5 to 19.5 in) in head and body with a 368 to 485 mm (14.5 to 19.1 in) long tail.[4]

Distribution and habitat

Servaline genets are distributed from the Sanaga River in Cameroon southwards to the Congo Basin and eastwards to Uganda and Tanzania.[5]

Distribution of subspecies

A number of servaline genet subspecies are recognised, including:

The crested servaline genet (G. cristata) was also considered to be a subspecies of the servaline genet, but is now generally regarded as a distinct species.<ref = name=iucn/>

References

  1. Gaubert, P.; De Luca, D.W.; Rovero, F. & Do Linh San, E. (2016). "Genetta servalina". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2016.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature.
  2. Pucheran, J. (1855). Genetta servalina. Revue et magasin de zoologie pure et appliquée: 154.
  3. Gaubert, P., Taylor, P. J., & Veron, G. (2005). Integrative taxonomy and phylogenetic systematics of the genets (Carnivora, Viverridae, Genetta): a new classification of the most speciose carnivoran genus in Africa. In: Huber, B. A., Sinclair, B. J., Lampe, K.-H. (eds.) African Biodiversity: Molecules, Organisms, Ecosystems. Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium of Tropical Biology, Museum König, Bonn. Springer. Pp. 371–383.
  4. Van Rompaey, H. and Colyn, M. (2013). Genetta servalina Servaline Genet. In: J. Kingdon and M. Hoffmann (eds.) The Mammals of Africa. V. Carnivores, Pangolins, Equids and Rhinoceroses, pp. 242–245. Bloomsbury, London, UK.
  5. Gaubert, P.; Papeş, M.; Peterson, A.T. (2006). "Natural history collections and the conservation of poorly known taxa: Ecological niche modeling in central African rainforest genets (Genetta spp.)". Biological Conservation. 130: 106–117. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2005.12.006.
  6. Rovero, F.; Doggart, N.; Bowkett, A. & Burgess, N. (2006). "New Records for Lowe's Servaline Genet from the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania". Oryx. 40 (2): 139. doi:10.1017/S0030605306000688.
  7. Van Rompaey, H.; Colyn, M. (1998). "A new servaline genet (Carnivora, Viverridae) from Zanzibar island". South African Journal of Zoology. 33 (1): 42–46.
  8. Goldman, H. V. & Winther-Hansen, J. (2003). "The Small Carnivores of Unguja: Results of a Photo-trapping Survey in Jozani Forest Reserve, Zanzibar, Tanzania" (PDF). Retrieved 2007-01-11.


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