Viverrinae
| Viverrinae | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| African Civet, Civetticus civetta | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Suborder: | Feliformia |
| Family: | Viverridae |
| Subfamily: | Viverrinae Gray, 1821 |
| Genera | |
The subfamily Viverrinae is the largest of the four subfamilies within the family Viverridae, containing the genets, some of the Asian civets, and the two African linsangs for a total of 22 species, comprising two-thirds of the Viverrids.[1]
Most of the members of Viverrinae live exclusively in Africa, the exceptions being the Common Genet, which is also common in Europe, and the five civets of the Viverra and Viverricula genera, which live in India and Southeast Asia. Favoured habitats include woodland, savanna, mountains, and tropical rainforest.
Contents |
[edit] Characteristics
Viverrids are amongst the primitive families of the Carnivora, with skeletons very similar to those of fossils dating back to the Eocene, up to 50 million years ago. They are variable in form, but generally resemble long-nosed cats. Most have retractile or partially-retractile claws, a baculum, and an anal scent gland.
The Viverrinae range in size from the African Linsang with a body length of 33 cm (13 in), and a weight of 650 g (1.4 lb), to the African Civet at 84 cm (33 in) and 18 kg (40 lb).
They are nocturnal animals, with excellent hearing and vision. They are generally solitary. Despite their placement in the order Carnivora, they are omnivorous. In reflection of this, their flesh-shearing carnassial teeth are relatively undeveloped [2]. The usual dental formula is:
[edit] Classification
It seems likely that the African linsangs are fairly closely related to the genets, though the placement of these groups in relation to the Viverrinae civets is uncertain.[1]
[edit] Species
- Subfamily Viverrinae
- Genus Civettictis
- African Civet (Civettictis civetta)
- Genus Genetta
- Abyssinian Genet (Genetta abyssinica)
- Angolan Genet (Genetta angolensis)
- Bourlon's Genet (Genetta bourloni)
- Crested Servaline Genet (Genetta cristata)
- Common Genet (Genetta genetta)
- Johnston's Genet (Genetta johnstoni)
- Rusty-spotted Genet (Genetta maculata)
- Pardine Genet (Genetta pardina)
- Aquatic Genet (Genetta piscivora)
- King Genet (Genetta poensis)
- Servaline Genet (Genetta servalina)
- Haussa Genet (Genetta thierryi)
- Cape Genet (Genetta tigrina)
- Giant Forest Genet (Genetta victoriae)
- Genus Poiana
- Leighton's Linsang (Poiana leightoni)
- African Linsang (Poiana richardsonii)
- Genus Viverra
- Malabar Large-spotted Civet (Viverra civettina)
- Large-spotted Civet (Viverra megaspila)
- Malayan Civet (Viverra tangalunga)
- Large Indian Civet (Viverra zibetha)
- Genus Viverricula
- Small Indian Civet (Viverricula indica)
- Genus Civettictis
[edit] References
- ^ a b Wozencraft, W. Christopher (16 November 2005). "Order Carnivora (pp. 532-628)". In Wilson, Don E., and Reeder, DeeAnn M., eds. Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2 vols. (2142 pp.). pp. 548-559. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494. http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3.
- ^ Wozencraft, W. Chris (1984). Macdonald, D.. ed. The Encyclopedia of Mammals. New York: Facts on File. pp. 134–135. ISBN 0-87196-871-1.
