Liberia Genette
| Liberia Genette | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Genetta johnstoni | ||||||||||||
| Pocock , 1908 |
The Liberia genette ( Genetta johnstoni ) is a rare species of predator belonging to the genus genet . It occurs in the southern parts of West Africa.
features
The Liberia genette is a relatively slender species of genet. It reaches a body weight of 2.2–2.6 kg and a head trunk length of 47.0–51.4 cm. The tail length is 46.2–49.5 cm. The fur is quite dense and soft, the basic color is yellowish-ocher to yellowish-gray on the top, yellowish-gray to yellowish-brown underneath. The legs are dark brown. The pattern of spots is characterized by dark to reddish-brown spots that are quite large on the body flanks, but smaller on the legs, stomach and neck. A very dark stripe on the back offers a striking contrast to this overall brownish pattern. The long tail is ringed white and black, with eight to nine white rings each separated by a wider black ring. The tip of the tail is white. The face is adorned by dark areas on the muzzle and white spots in the area of the eyes. The eyes themselves are large with vertical pupils and the ears are relatively long. The sexes hardly differ from each other.
Distribution area
The Liberia genette, like the West African linsang and the Liberian mongoose , is restricted to the West African rainforest areas. The distribution area extends over the states of Ghana , Guinea , Ivory Coast , Liberia and Sierra Leone . Until 2002 it was assumed that the distribution area was much smaller and limited to eastern Liberia, western Ivory Coast and south-eastern Guinea. Finds of new specimens from the wild (Liberia, Ivory Coast), as well as the identification of museum specimens, however, confirm a further spread from the Kolenté region in Guinea to Tarkwa in Ghana. In addition to rain forests, the species mainly inhabits wetlands, swamp forests and river banks. One specimen was also found in an area with wet savannahs and forests.
Way of life
The species seems to be primarily nocturnal. The animals spend the day in tree hollows and resting on broad branches. This could be shown in the course of a study carried out using radio telemetry . It was documented, for example, that a transmitter-marked female returned to the same tree every morning before dusk for a month in order to spend the day there at a height of about 20 m. A male observed during the same study, on the other hand, always chose different resting places. The Liberian Genette usually lives solitary, although couples are sometimes seen. Little is known about their diet. The dental construction suggests that the Liberia genette feeds primarily on insects. There is also little research into reproductive behavior. So it is unclear whether there is a limited breeding season. A female documented in Ivory Coast showed evidence that she weaned young in July. Furthermore, young gorse cats were observed in the distribution area in June. In this case, however, it cannot be unequivocally clarified whether it actually was Liberia genet cats. The average litter size is unknown. However, since the females only have two teats, litter sizes of more than two cubs are unlikely.
Systematics
The Liberia Genette belongs to the genus of genets ( Genetta ). It was temporarily divided into the subgenus Paragenetta as the only species . This subgenus was separated because of the long, narrow skull, the flat lower jaw, and the relatively small teeth in the upper jaw. When the subgenus was described in 1960, the Liberia Genette was described as a new species under the scientific name lehmanni , but the older name Genetta johnstoni is still valid. The inclusion in a separate sub-genus Paragenetta has meanwhile been rejected.
Danger
Little is known about the current situation. In protected areas with suitable habitat, even larger populations could exist locally. The species occurs, for example, in the Taï National Park . Nevertheless, the species is classified as threatened ( Vulnerable ) by the IUCN , as it is assumed that the populations have declined by over 30% in the last 27 years (which corresponds to about three generations). This decline is not directly verifiable, but is calculated from the destruction of the habitat and the increasing hunting in the area. They are heavily hunted in the protected areas because of the gorse cat skins , but also because of their meat. There are no animals in captivity that could serve as genetic reserves.
literature
- ^ Pocock, R. (1908) Report upon a small collection of Mammalia brought from Liberia by Mr Leonard Leighton. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, 1907, 1037-1047.
- ↑ a b c d A. P. Jennings, G. Veron, (2009). Family Viverridae (Civets, Genets and Oyans). 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
- ↑ a b c P. Gaubert, G. Veron, M. Colyn, A. Dunham, S. Shultz and M. Trainer (2002). A reassessment of the distribution of the rare Genetta johnstoni (Viverridae, Carnivora) with some newly discovered specimens. Mammal Rev. 2002, Volume 32, No. 2, 132-144. Printed in Great Britain.
- ^ Wozencraft, WC (1993) Order Carnivora. In: Mammal Species of the World - A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference 2nd edition (Ed. By DE Wilson & DM Reeder), pp. 279-348. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington and London.
- ↑ Kuhn, H.-J. (1960) Genetta (Paragenetta) lehmanni , a new crawl cat from Liberia. Mammalian Notices, 8, 154-160.
- ^ Wozencraft, WC (2005) Order Carnivora. In: Mammal Species of the World - A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference 3rd Edition (Ed. By DE Wilson & DM Reeder), pp. 279-348. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington and London.
- ↑ genetta johnstoni in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2011. Posted by: Dunham, A. & Gaubert, P., 2008. Accessed on 12. January 2012.
