Angolan genet

{{speciesbox

| name = Angolan genet

| image = Genetta angolensis.jpg

| status = LC

| status_system = IUCN3.1

| status_ref = {{cite iucn |title=Genetta angolensis |author=Gaubert, P. |author2=Fischer, C. |author3=Hausser, Y. |author4=Do Linh San, E. |date=2016 |page=e.T41696A45218468 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T41696A45218468.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}

| genus = Genetta

| species = angolensis

| authority = Bocage, 1882

| synonyms = {{Specieslist

| Genetta hintoni | Schwarz, 1929

| Genetta mossambica | Matschie, 1902

}}

| synonyms_ref =

| range_map = Angolan Genet area.png

| range_map_caption = Angolan genet range

}}

The Angolan genet or miombo genet (Genetta angolensis){{MSW3 Wozencraft |pages=554 |id=14000387 |heading=Genetta angolensis}} is a genet species endemic to Southern Africa. It is considered common in this region and therefore listed as Least Concern in the IUCN Red List. Little is known about its ecology.{{cite journal |last=Fischer|first=C. |year=2013 |title=Diversity and distribution of small carnivores in a miombo woodland within the Katavi region, Western Tanzania |journal=Small Carnivore Conservation |volume=48 |pages=60–66}}

Characteristics

The Angolan genet has long light brown coloured fur with dark spots and a continuous dark crested line across the back. Its throat and chest are light grey to greyish black. It has small spots on the front and shoulders. The spots are more numerous and slightly bigger on the sides. In head-to-body length, it ranges from {{convert|44|to|48|cm|in|abbr=on}}. Its bushy {{convert|38|to|43|cm|in|abbr=on}} long tail is ringed with a dark tip. Its legs are dark at the back.{{cite book|last1=Gaubert|first1=P.|last2=Taylor|first2=P. J.|last3=Veron|first3=G.|year=2005|chapter=Integrative taxonomy and phylogenetic systematics of the genets (Carnivora, Viverridae, Genetta): a new classification of the most speciose carnivoran genus in Africa|editor1=Huber, B. A.|editor2=Sinclair, B. J.|editor3=Lampe, K.-H.|title=African Biodiversity: Molecules, Organisms, Ecosystems. Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium of Tropical Biology, Museum König, Bonn|publisher=Springer|pages=371–383|url=http://media.withtank.com/3954452aa8/integrative_taxonomy_and_phylo-genetic_systematics_of_the_genets.pdf}}{{cite book|last1=Foley|first1=C.|last2=Foley|first2=L.|last3=Lobora|first3=A.|last4=De Luca|first4=D.|last5=Msuha|first5=M.|last6=Davenport|first6=T. R.|last7=Durant|first7=S. M.|year=2014|title=A Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Tanzania|publisher=Princeton University Press}} It has a dark grey face, a black muzzle and is white around the eyes and mouth. Its crest on the back is up to {{convert|6|cm|in|abbr=on}} long.{{cite web|last=White|first=P.|year=2000|url=http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Genetta_angolensis.html|title="Genetta angolensis" Angolan genet|website=Animal Diversity Web}} It is distinguished from the common genet by the black rather than white tip to the tail and more irregular blotching and spotting on the coat. Melanistic individuals have been recorded in some areas.{{cite book | last1 = Kingdon | first1 = Jonathan | year = 1997 | title = The Kingdon Field Guide to Africa Mammals | page = [https://archive.org/details/kingdonfieldguid00jona/page/269 269] | publisher = Academic Press | ISBN = 0-12408355-2 | url = https://archive.org/details/kingdonfieldguid00jona/page/269 }}

The male of the species is larger than the female.{{cite web|url=http://eol.org/pages/328094/details|title= Genetta angolensis - Angolan Genet. Distribution|website=Encyclopedia of Life|access-date=26 October 2016}}

Distribution and habitat

The Angolan genet occurs in Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It lives in a variety of environments in its range, including both the local miombo woodlands and plains. During camera-trapping and transect surveys in Tanzania between 2007 and 2012, the Angolan genet was recorded north of Katavi National Park and in the Rukwa Region.Fischer, C., Tagand, R. and Hausser, Y. (2013). Diversity and distribution of small carnivores in a miombo woodland within the Katavi region, Western Tanzania. Small Carnivore Conservation 48: 60–66.

Threats

The Angolan genet is not considered threatened by habitat change, but might be negatively affected by road traffic.

In Tanzania, traditional healers use the Angolan genet in their practices. Some individuals are poached for this practise.

References

External links

Angolan genet

Category:Mammals of Angola

Category:Mammals of Zambia

Category:Fauna of Southern Africa

Angolan genet