Johnston's genet
Johnston's genet (Genetta johnstoni)[2] is a genet species native to the Upper Guinean forests. As it is threatened by deforestation and conversion of rainforest to agriculturally and industrially used land, it is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.[1]
| Johnston's genet | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Suborder: | Feliformia |
| Family: | Viverridae |
| Genus: | Genetta |
| Species: | G. johnstoni |
| Binomial name | |
| Genetta johnstoni (Pocock, 1908) | |
| Johnston's genet range (green - extant, pink - probably extant) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
It is considered one of West Africa's least known carnivores, and until the turn of the century was known only from museum collections. In January 2000, a dead individual was found near the Taï National Park in Côte d'Ivoire. In July of the same year, the first live individual known to science was trapped.[3]
In 2011, it was recorded for the first time in Dindefelo Nature Reserve, a protected area in southeastern Senegal.[4]
Characteristics
The short fur of Johnston's genet is rich golden to ochre yellowish with small reddish spots on the sides, a dark stripe along the spine and dark limbs. Its hind legs are dark grey. Its tail has eight black and seven pale rings, and a brown tip that is whitish below.[5]
References
- ^ a b Gaubert, P.; Do Linh San, E. (2016). "Genetta johnstoni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T8997A45198265. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T8997A45198265.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ Wozencraft, W. C. (2005). "Order Carnivora". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 532–628. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
- ^ Gaubert, P.; Veron, G.; Colyn, M.; Dunham, A.; Shultz, S. & Tranier, M. (2002). "A reassessment of the distribution of the rare Genetta johnstoni (Viverridae, Carnivora) with some newly discovered specimens". Mammal Review. 32 (2): 132–144. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2907.2002.00102.x.
- ^ Pacheco, L.; Ruiz de Azua, N.; Fernández-Garcia, J. M.; Aransay, N.; Guallar, F.; Gaubert, P. (2013). "First record of Johnston's Genet Genetta johnstoni in Senegal". Small Carnivore Conservation. 48: 89–91.
- ^ Pocock, R. I. (1907). Report upon a small collection of Mammalia brought from Liberia by Mr Leonard Leighton. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London (May to December): 1037–1047.