Angola Kusimanse
| Angola Kusimanse | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Crossarchus ansorgei | ||||||||||||
| Thomas , 1910 |
The Angola kusimanse ( Crossarchus ansorgei ) is a species of predator from the mongoose family (Herpestidae).
features
Angola Kusimansen, like all Kusimansen, are slender, short-legged animals with a dark, shaggy coat and an elongated snout. The head body length is 32 to 36 centimeters, the tail measures 21 to 22 centimeters, the weight is 0.6 to 1.5 kilograms. The subspecies C. a. ansorgei has a reddish-brown fur with a brown undercoat, the face is lighter, but not patterned. The subspecies C. a. nigricolor has black fur and white stripes on her face extend from the corners of the mouth to below the ear. The front and rear paws each end in five toes, the front paws have long, strong claws.
The snout is elongated as in all Kusimansen, but shorter than in the other species. The ears are small, rounded and lockable. The tooth formula is I 3/3 - C 1 / 1- P 3 / 3- M 2/2, so a total of 36 teeth.
distribution and habitat
Angola Kusimansen live in central Africa . The subspecies C. a. ansorgei is only known from a single specimen that was found in Angola north of the Cuanza . The subspecies C. a. nigricolor is common in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, southeast of the Congo and Lualaba Rivers . Their habitat is exclusively rain forests , as opposed to partially sympatric occurring Alexander's Kusimanse they never find the people nearby.
Way of life
Little is known about the way of life of the Angolan Kusimansen. Presumably they are diurnal and live in groups of up to 20 animals that do not live in permanent structures but roam around their territory. They are carnivores looking for food on the forest floor. They feed on invertebrates such as insects and their larvae, but also on small vertebrates and their eggs.
Danger
Until 1984 the species was only known from two animals, from the southern subspecies C. a. ansorgei , no further representatives have been found apart from the type specimen . The northern subspecies C. a. nigricolor is relatively common in some areas. The threats to the species are believed to include habitat destruction and hunting for its meat. The IUCN lists the species under “ data deficient ”, but suggests that further research may reveal that the species is not endangered.
literature
- JS Gilchrist, AP Jennings, G. Veron and P. Cavallini: Family Herpestidae (Mongooses). In: Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier (eds.): Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Volume 1: Carnivores. Lynx Edicions, 2009, ISBN 978-84-96553-49-1 , pp. 262-329.
Web links
- Crossarchus ansorgei onthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . Retrieved October 20, 2009.