Colombian weasel
| Colombian weasel | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systematics | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Mustela Felipei | ||||||||||||
| Izor & de la Torre , 1978 |
The Colombian weasel ( Mustela felipei ) is a species of predator belonging to the marten family . The species is only found in a small area in western Colombia and northern Ecuador , and the species has only been sighted and scientifically documented a few times since it was first described.
features
The Colombian weasel reaches a head-trunk length of 21.7 to 22.5 centimeters and a tail length of 11.1 to 12.2 centimeters. The body is long and slender with short legs. The fur is long and soft and is consistently dark brown on the back. The ventral side is pale orange, the tail is a solid brown. The toes are hairless on the underside and webbed on.
distribution and habitat
The Colombian weasel is only found in a small area in the Cordilleras in western Colombia and the Andes in northern Ecuador .
The animals use the humid and tropical cloud forest areas along the river systems at an altitude of 1750 to 2700 meters as their habitat.
Way of life
No information is available about the way of life of the Colombian weasel. In its diet, it is likely similar to other species of weasel. Due to the webbed toes, a semi-aquatic way of life is assumed for the animals.
Systematics
The Colombian weasel is assigned as an independent species of the Mustela genus within the marten , which currently consists of 17 species. Together with the tropical weasel ( M. africana ), the species forms the sub-genus of the South American weasel , which is sometimes viewed as a separate genus Grammogale .
Threat and protection
The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) classifies the species as endangered (Vulnerable) due to its very small distribution area. Although very little information is available about this species, a decline is expected due to logging in the forests of Colombia and Ecuador.
The main threat to this species is primarily the loss of habitat due to massive logging and the conversion of forest areas into agricultural areas in the range of the species.
supporting documents
- ↑ a b c d Mustela felipei in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011.2. Posted by: L. Emmons, K. Helgen, 2008. Retrieved April 27, 2012.
- ^ A b S. Larivière, AP Jennings: Family Mustelidae (Weasels and Relatives). 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 , (p. 650).
- ↑ a b Don E. Wilson & DeeAnn M. Reeder (eds.): Mustela felipei ( Memento of the original from March 5, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. in Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed).
literature
- S. Larivière, AP Jennings: Family Mustelidae (Weasels and Relatives). 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 , (p. 650).
Web links
- Mustela felipei inthe IUCN 2011 Red List of Threatened Species . Posted by: L. Emmons, K. Helgen, 2008. Retrieved April 27, 2012.