Congo clawless otter

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Congo clawless otter
Mazu from Congo.jpg
CITES Appendix II (CITES) [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Mustelidae
Genus: Aonyx
Species:
A. congicus
Binomial name
Aonyx congicus
Lönnberg, 1910
Cameroon Clawless Otter area.png
Congo clawless otter range

The Congo clawless otter (Aonyx congicus), also known as the Cameroon clawless otter, is a species in the family Mustelidae. [1] [2] It was formerly recognised as a subspecies (Aonyx capensis congicus) of the African clawless otter. [3] [4]

Contents

This clawless otter is found in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Rwanda, Uganda, and possibly Burundi and Nigeria. [1] Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical mangrove forest, subtropical or tropical swamps, subtropical or tropical moist montane forest, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland, rivers, intermittent rivers, shrub-dominated wetlands, swamps, freshwater lakes, intermittent freshwater lakes, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, freshwater spring, inland deltas, saline lakes, intermittent saline lakes, saline marshes, intermittent saline marshes, shallow seas, subtidal aquatic beds, rocky shores, sandy shores, estuarine waters, intertidal flats, intertidal marshes, coastal saline lagoons, coastal freshwater lagoons, water storage areas, ponds, aquaculture ponds, seasonally flooded agricultural land, and canals and ditches. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Very little is known about this species. It is a large otter and found only in the mid-part of Africa, in the tropical belt. It is believed to spend much more time on land than other otters. Congo clawless otters are one of 14 species of otters in the carnivore family Mustelidae. Other members of this family include weasels, wolverines, and ferrets. An individual otter maintains a territory. Otters mark their territories with scent, and fervently patrol and defend their territories.

Description

Congo clawless otters are characterized by only partial webbing (between the toes of their black feet and no webbing on their front feet), and small, blunt, peg-like claws. They have very sensitive forepaws, which they use for foraging. Other otters have fully webbed feet and strong, well-developed claws. Clawless otters have slender, serpentine bodies with dense, luxurious fur and long tails. All otters have been exploited for their thick, velvety fur. Their head and body length measure to be about 600–1,000 mm (24–39 in), and their tail length is between 400 and 710 mm (16 and 28 in). These large otters can weigh between 14 and 34 kg (31 and 75 lb).

Diet

Congo clawless otters feed on fairly soft prey items, such as small land vertebrates, frogs, and eggs.

Reproduction and life span

Reproduction may occur throughout the year. Newborn cubs of A. congicus are white in color and do not reach their adult color of brownish white until about 2 months old. The clawless otter's life span is probably an average of 10–15 years.

Threats and conservation

The Congo clawless otter is threatened by the anthropogenic alteration or degradation of riparian and freshwater habitats. [1]

Although otters are known to be difficult to catch, they are occasionally hunted for bushmeat and sold for similar prices of other bushmeat. Otter bushmeat is common in Congo and Cameroon but not for Gabon because of its reputation of being dangerous. The myth in Gabon is that otters can give electric shocks when caught with a spear. Otters are also thought to be magical and possess powers that when you catch an otter, skin it, and wear its fur, you are thought to become invisible to an enemy and are able to escape an enemy. The idea comes from the otter's ability to escape fish traps. Its fur is also used in Cameroon to make drums. [5]

Related Research Articles

<i>Aonyx</i> Genus of carnivores

Aonyx is a genus of otters, containing three species, the African clawless otter, the Congo clawless otter, and the Asian small-clawed otter. The word aonyx means "clawless", derived from the prefix a- ("without") and onyx ("claw/hoof").

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

The African clawless otter, also known as the Cape clawless otter or groot otter, is the second-largest freshwater otter species. It inhabits permanent water bodies in savannah and lowland forest areas through most of sub-Saharan Africa. It is characterised by partly webbed and clawless feet, from which their name is derived. The word 'aonyx' means clawless, derived from the prefix a- ("without") and onyx ("claw/hoof").

<i>Sclerophrys maculata</i> Species of amphibian

Sclerophrys maculata — commonly known as Hallowell's toad, the flat-backed toad, and the striped toad — is an African member of Bufonidae, the true toad family.

Cryptothylax greshoffii is a species of frogs in the family Hyperoliidae. It is found in Angola, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and possibly Republic of the Congo. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, rivers, swamps, freshwater lakes, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, rural gardens, heavily degraded former forests, and aquaculture ponds. Cryptothylax greshoffii and “Hyperolius” robustus have a phylogenetic relatationship

<i>Hyperolius cinnamomeoventris</i> Species of frog

Hyperolius cinnamomeoventris is a species of frog in the family Hyperoliidae. It is found in Angola, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, and possibly in Central African Republic, Rwanda, Sudan, and Tanzania. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical swamps, subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, dry savanna, moist savanna, subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland, swamps, freshwater lakes, intermittent freshwater lakes, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, rural gardens, heavily degraded former forest, and ponds.

<i>Hyperolius phantasticus</i> Species of frog

Hyperolius phantasticus is a species of frog in the family Hyperoliidae. It is found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, possibly Angola, and possibly Equatorial Guinea. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, rural gardens, heavily degraded former forest, and ponds.

The common forest tree frog is a species of frog in the family Arthroleptidae found in Angola, Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, and possibly the Central African Republic. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical moist montane forest, subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland, rivers, intermittent freshwater marshes, and heavily degraded former forests.

The golden puddle frog is a species of frog in the family Phrynobatrachidae. It is found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, and possibly Angola. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, rivers, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, and heavily degraded former forest. It is threatened by habitat loss due to deforestation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cameroon clawed frog</span> Species of amphibian

The Cameroon clawed frog is a species of frog in the family Pipidae found in Angola, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and possibly Sudan. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, heavily degraded former forest, and ponds. It is threatened by habitat loss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fraser's platanna</span> Species of amphibian

Fraser's platanna is a species of frogs in the family Pipidae found in Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and possibly Rwanda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Müller's platanna</span> Species of frog

Müller's platanna, also known as Müller's clawed frog, is a species of frog in the family Pipidae found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Eswatini, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Peters' platanna is a species of frog in the family Pipidae found in Angola, Botswana, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and possibly Tanzania. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, dry savanna, moist savanna, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland, subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland, subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland, rivers, intermittent rivers, swamps, freshwater lakes, intermittent freshwater lakes, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, freshwater springs, arable land, pastureland, rural gardens, urban areas, heavily degraded former forests, water storage areas, ponds, open excavations, and canals and ditches.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crowned bullfrog</span> Species of frog

The crowned bullfrog is a species of frog in the family Dicroglossidae. It is found in the Sub-Saharan Africa . Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, dry savanna, moist savanna, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland, subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland, rivers, intermittent rivers, freshwater lakes, intermittent freshwater lakes, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, freshwater springs, arable land, pastureland, rural gardens, heavily degraded former forest, and ponds.

The Victoria ridged frog is a species of frog in the family Ptychadenidae. It is found in Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, possibly Angola, and possibly Togo. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, intermittent freshwater marshes, and heavily degraded former forest. It is threatened by habitat loss.

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<i>Orthetrum brachiale</i> Species of dragonfly

Orthetrum brachiale, the tough skimmer or strong skimmer, is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Réunion, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, possibly Burundi, and possibly São Tomé and Príncipe. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, dry savanna, moist savanna, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, shrub-dominated wetlands, swamps, intermittent freshwater lakes, freshwater marshes, and intermittent freshwater marshes.

<i>Orthetrum stemmale</i> Species of dragonfly

Orthetrum stemmale is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and possibly Burundi. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, intermittent rivers, shrub-dominated wetlands, swamps, intermittent freshwater lakes, freshwater marshes, and intermittent freshwater marshes.

<i>Palpopleura lucia</i> Species of dragonfly

Palpopleura lucia, the Lucia widow, is a species of dragonfly in the family Libellulidae. It is found in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and possibly Burundi. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, rivers, intermittent rivers, shrub-dominated wetlands, swamps, freshwater lakes, intermittent freshwater lakes, freshwater marshes, intermittent freshwater marshes, and freshwater springs.

<i>Phyllomacromia melania</i> Species of dragonfly

Phyllomacromia melania is a species of dragonfly in the family Macromiidae. It is found in Angola, Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, possibly Botswana, possibly Burundi, possibly Ivory Coast, possibly Gambia, possibly Mali, possibly Mozambique, possibly Namibia, possibly Senegal, possibly South Africa, possibly Sudan, possibly Togo, possibly Zambia, and possibly Zimbabwe. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, rivers, intermittent freshwater lakes, and intermittent freshwater marshes.

<i>Aonyx capensis capensis</i> Subspecies of carnivore

The Cape clawless otter is a subspecies of African clawless otter found in sub-Saharan Africa near permanent bodies of freshwater and along the seacoast. It is the largest of the Old World otters and the third largest otter after the giant otter and the sea otter.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Jacques, H.; Reed-Smith, J.; Davenport, C.; Somers, M.J. (2021). "Aonyx congicus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021: e.T1794A164576337. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T1794A164576337.en . Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  2. "Congo Clawless Otter (Aonyx congicus)". IUCN Otter Specialist Group. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  3. 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.
  4. ITIS Standard Report Page: Aonyx capensis congicus. Itis.gov. Retrieved on 2013-01-10.
  5. Jacques, H.; Veron, G.; Alary, F. & Aulagnier, S. (2009). "The Congo clawless otter (Aonyx congicus) (Mustelidae: Lutrinae): a review of its systematics, distribution and conservation status". African Zoology. 44 (2): 159–170. doi:10.3377/004.044.0204. S2CID   86008709.