Tonkin weasel

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Tonkin weasel
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Caniformia
Family: Mustelidae
Genus: Mustela
Species:
M. tonkinensis
Binomial name
Mustela tonkinensis
(Björkegren, 1941)

The Tonkin weasel or Vietnamese mountain weasel (Mustela tonkinensis) is a species of weasel from Vietnam. The species was described by Swedish biologist Berkil Björkegren in 1941, from a single specimen obtained in Vietnam in 1939. It was classified as a subspecies of common weasel until 2007, when it was re-classified as a separate species. It is not classified in the IUCN Red List and is listed as data deficient.

Contents

Taxonomy

Tonkin weasel is a species in the weasel family of Mustelidae. [1] [2] The species was described by Swedish biologist Berkil Björkegren in 1941, from a specimen obtained in Vietnam in January 1939. While describing the species, Björkegren described the species as being closely related to the common weasel. It was classified as a subspecies of the same subsequently by various zoologists. It was distinguished as a separate species on the basis of skull differences in 2007. [3]

Distribution and habitat

Tonkin weasel is found only in Vietnam. [4] It supposedly inhabits the low altitude ranges of the Hoang Lien mountains in Vietnam. [3] As of 2015, it is not classified in the IUCN Red List and is listed as data deficient. [4]

Morphology and behaviour

Tonkins' weasel is a medium-sized weasel with a body length of up to 200–243 mm (7.9–9.6 in), and tail length of 90–92 mm (3.5–3.6 in). [3] [5] It has a longer tail compared to the common weasel. [3] The body is covered with brown colored fur, with the under parts predominantly white in colour, and a clear demarcation line between the two. [3] [5] It has a large skull measruing about 36.2 mm (1.43 in) at the base. [3] Tonkin's weasel is not thought to be a better climber, and mainly preys on insects and small rodents on the ground. [3]

References

  1. ↑ "Mustela tonkinensis". Catalogue of Life. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  2. ↑ "Mustela tonkinensis". Mammal diversity. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Alexei V. Abramov (2006). "Taxonomic remarks on two poorly known South-east Asian weasels (Mustelidae, Mustela)". Small Carnivore Conservation. 34–35.
  4. 1 2 "Mustela tonkinensis (Tonkin Weasel)". IUCN . 3 March 2015.
  5. 1 2 A.V. Abramov; G.F. Baryshnikov (2000). Geographic variation and intraspecific taxonomy of weasel Mustela nivalis (Carnivora, Mustelidae) (PDF) (Report). Zoological Institute, St.Petersburg.
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