Abyssinian genet

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Abyssinian genet
Neue Wirbelthiere zu der Fauna von Abyssinien gehorig (1835) Genetta abyssinica.png
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Viverridae
Genus: Genetta
Species:
G. abyssinica [2]
Binomial name
Genetta abyssinica [2]
(Rüppell), 1835 [3]
Abyssinian Genet area.png
Abyssinian genet range

The Abyssinian genet (Genetta abyssinica), also known as the Ethiopian genet, is a genet species native to Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan, and Djibouti. It is listed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List. [1] It is one of the least-known genet species. [4]

Contents

Characteristics

The Abyssinian genet has a shortened face, short legs and a moderately long tail, which is nearly as long as head and body. Its short, coarse fur is pale sandy in colour with five longitudinal black stripes on the back. The spots on the lower flanks are also distinctly elongated, resembling stripes rather than spots. The tail is marked by at least seven pale rings, separated by seven or eight narrow black rings and has a dark tip. It is also distinguished by the lack of hair between the metacarpal and digital pads of the forepaws. Its head-to-body length is 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20 in) with a 40 to 45 cm (16 to 18 in) long tail. The dental formula is 3.1.4.23.1.4.2 [5] [6]

Distribution and habitat

The Abyssinian genet inhabits coastal plains, Afromontane grasslands, and mountain moorlands. [7] In Ethiopia, Abyssinian genets were observed up to 3,750 m (12,300 ft) in the Abune Yosef massif. [8]

Threats

The population is likely being reduced due to habitat fragmentation, as many areas with historical records have been turned into croplands. [4] Prior to the Second World War the skins of Abyssinian genets were recorded for sale in markets in Addis Ababa market, it is unknown whether there is still a market for the skins of this species. In general this species is too poorly known to properly assess its conservation status. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Viverridae</span> Family of carnivorans

Viverridae is a family of small to medium-sized, feliform mammals. The viverrids comprise 33 species placed in 14 genera. This family was named and first described by John Edward Gray in 1821. Viverrids occur all over Africa, southern Europe, and South and Southeast Asia, across the Wallace Line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">African civet</span> Species of carnivore

The African civet is a large viverrid native to sub-Saharan Africa, where it is considered common and widely distributed in woodlands and secondary forests. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List since 2008. In some countries, it is threatened by hunting, and wild-caught individuals are kept for producing civetone for the perfume industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Genet (animal)</span> Genus of carnivorans

A genet is a member of the genus Genetta, which consists of 17 species of small African carnivorans. The common genet is the only genet present in Europe and occurs in the Iberian Peninsula, Italy and France.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crested servaline genet</span> Species of carnivore

The crested servaline genet, also known as the crested genet, is a genet species endemic to Nigeria and Cameroon. As the population has declined due to loss of habitat, it is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. It was first recorded in the Mamfe Division in Cameroon and initially considered a subspecies of the servaline genet. But now it is regarded as a distinct species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Servaline genet</span> Species of carnivore

The servaline genet is a genet species native to Central Africa. As it is widely distributed and considered common, it is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aquatic genet</span> Species of carnivore

The aquatic genet is a genet that has only been recorded in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since it is only known from about 30 specimens in zoological collections, it had been listed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List since 1996, as it is considered one of Africa's rarest carnivores. In 2015, it has been reassessed as Near Threatened.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angolan genet</span> Species of mammal

The Angolan genet or miombo genet 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common genet</span> Species of carnivorans

The common genet is a small viverrid indigenous to Africa that was introduced to southwestern Europe. It is widely distributed north of the Sahara, in savanna zones south of the Sahara to southern Africa and along the coast of Arabia, Yemen and Oman. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rusty-spotted genet</span> Species of carnivore

The rusty-spotted genet, also called panther genet and large-spotted genet, is a genet that is widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa. It is considered common and therefore listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnston's genet</span> Species of carnivore

Johnston's genet 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giant forest genet</span> Species of carnivoran

The giant forest genet, also known as the giant genet, is a genet species endemic to the Congo Basin. As it is considered as widely distributed and common, it is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cape genet</span> Species of carnivorans

The Cape genet, also known as the South African large-spotted genet, is a genet species endemic to South Africa. As it is common and not threatened, it is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Like other genets, it is nocturnal and arboreal, preferring to live in the riparian zones of forests, as long as these are not marshy areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hausa genet</span> Species of carnivoran

The Hausa genet is a genet species native to West African savannas. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central African oyan</span> Species of carnivore

The Central African oyan, also called Central African linsang, is a linsang species native to Central Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bourlon's genet</span> Species of carnivore

Bourlon's genet is a genet species native to the Upper Guinean forests. It is known from only 29 zoological specimens in natural history museum and has been described as a new Genetta species in 2003. It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List as the global population is estimated at less than 10,000 mature individuals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pardine genet</span> Species of carnivore

The pardine genet, also known as the West African large spotted genet, is a genet species living in West Africa. As it is widely distributed and common, it is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Genettinae</span> Subfamily of carnivorans

Genettinae is a subfamily of the feliform viverrids. It contains all of the genet species and the oyan species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South African small-spotted genet</span> Species of mammal endemic to Southern Africa

The South African small-spotted genet is a species of genet endemic to Southern Africa.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Gaubert, P.; Duckworth, J.W. & Do Linh San, E. (2016). "Genetta abyssinica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T8994A45198149. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T8994A45198149.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 Wozencraft, W. C. (2005). "Genetta abyssinica". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 554. ISBN   978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC   62265494.
  3. ↑ Rüppell, E. (1835). "Viverra abyssinica". Neue Wirbelthiere zu der Fauna von Abyssinien gehörig. Frankfurt: Siegmund Schmerber. pp. 33–35.
  4. 1 2 Balakrishnan, M.; Afework, B. (2008). "A road kill of the Ethiopian Genet Genetta abyssinica along the Addis Ababa–Dira Dewa Highway, Ethiopia". Small Carnivore Conservation. 39: 37–38.
  5. ↑ Coetzee, C. G. (1977). "Order Carnivora. Part 8". In Meester, J.; Setzer, H. W. (eds.). The Mammals of Africa: an identification manual. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press.
  6. ↑ Kingdon, J. (1997). The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals. Princeton University Press. p. 270. ISBN   069111692X.
  7. ↑ Gaubert, P. (2013). "Genetta abyssinica Ethiopian Genet". In Kingdon, J.; Hoffmann, M. (eds.). The Mammals of Africa. Vol. V. Carnivores, Pangolins, Equids and Rhinoceroses. London: Bloomsbury. pp. 216–218.
  8. ↑ Diaz Behrens, G. & Van Rompaey, H. (2002). "The Ethiopian Genet, Genetta abyssinica (Rüppell 1836) (Carnivora, Viverridae): ecology and phenotypic aspects". Small Carnivore Conservation. 27: 23–28.
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