Overview
Distribution
Range Description
Payne et al. (1985) underestimated the range in southern Borneo. A specimen from Barito River (van Strien, 2001) suggest that this is part of the range. Also records from S. Wain and Belayan River (G. Frederiksson in litt to E. Meijaard), and Mahakam Lages (Gonner 1997); probably also in Danau Sentarum NP (Jeanes and Meijaard, 2000); and reported from G. Niut (Simons, 1987) and G. Palung (Blundell, 1996).
This species is found in China from Szechuan to Fukien and the southeast coast of Yunnan, west along the Himalayas to Kashmir, in Indochina, Thailand, Malaya, Sumatra, Borneo, and the Andaman Islands, it was also reported from Japan in the 1980s (Lekagul and McNeely, 1988). It has also been recorded from Koh yao (9 00 N, 98 00 E) off Thailand and Rutland (11 25 N, 92 40 E) of India (Meiri, 2005).
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Geographic Range
The masked palm civet is the most widespread of all civets. Its range includes northern Pakistan and Kashmir to Indochina and the Malay Peninsula, Laos, Sumatra, Borneo, Taiwan, Hainan, much of eastern and southern China, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Nowak, 1999; Veenakumari, 1996; Duckworth, 1998). Humans introduced this civet species to the Japanese islands of Honshu and Shikoku in the early- to mid-1900s (Nowak, 1999).
Biogeographic Regions: oriental (Native )
- Duckworth, J. 1998. A survey of large mammals in the central Annamite mountains of Laos. International Journal of Mammalian Biology, 63(4): 239-250.
- Veenakumari, K., M. Prashanth, H. Ranganath, P. Mohanraj. 1996. Pests of fruit crops in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Entomon, 21(2): 153-156.
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Physical Description
Morphology
Physical Description
The body ranges from 50 to 76 cm in length, and the tail is between 50 and 64 cm long. The ears are approximately 4 to 6 cm long. Weight depends on gender and age, but adults vary between 3.6 and 5 kg. Their relatively short pelage is usually gray, with some tinges of orange, buff, and/or yellowish red. They have no stripes, spots, or bands on either the tail or the body. Their feet tend to be blackish and each has five retractable claws. The distal end of the tail tends to be darker than the proximal end. They are named for their 'mask', which consists of a median white stripe from the top of the head to the nose, white marks above each eye extending to the base of each ear, and white marks directly below each eye. These civets also have four identical anal glands which can discharge a potent secretion and the white facial markings have been interpreted as a warning signal (Nowak, 1999). Interestingly, the right lung has several more lobes than the left, resulting in more bronchioles and a subsequent increase in oxygen uptake efficiency (Nakakuki, 1993). Within the skull, the auditory bulla are constricted externally and divided by an internal septum (DeBlase, 1981). The dental formula is 3/3 1/1 3/4 2/2 and females have 2 pairs of mammae.
Range mass: 3.6 to 5 kg.
Range length: 50 to 76 cm.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
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Ecology
Habitat
Habitat and Ecology
The species is often very common in appropriate habitats. In Lao PDR, "recent records of this species come only from large blocks of evergreen forest above 500 m, and the three historical sites listed in Osgood (1932) are all also above this altitude (Duckworth et al, 1999)" - however, the species can be found at lower elevations in Cambodia and Viet Nam (sea level) (Roberton S., pers comm.). This species is nocturnal, partly arboreal, and omnivorous (Lekagul and McNeely 1977). It is often found near secondary growth, where it may hunt for rats, and chickens, as well as forage through ricefield dumps, and it eats figs, mangoes, bananas, and leaves (Lekagul and McNeely 1977). Many records are known from evergreen forests and deciduous forest and it is common in degraded forest. In China it is a generalist. It is known from peat swamp forests in Malaysia, and a wide variety of natural and human modified habitats, including rural agricultural areas (e.g. Wang and Fuller 2003). In Viet Nam, Lao PDR, Cambodia, and Thailand, all records are from evergreen forests.
Up to four young can be born per litter, with two breeding seasons per year (Lekagul and McNeely 1977). Lifespan in captivity is up to 15 years (Lekagul and McNeely 1977). All Bornean civets (except Diplogale hosei) have been recorded in disturbed forest areas, though abundance declines in this habitat (Heydon and Bulloh, 1996; Colon, 2002; pers. comm.). It was recorded in disturbed habitat in Malaysia by Ratnam et al. (1995). It was recorded in secondary forest, that was logged in the 1970s, and which surrounds a palm estate, in Malaysia in 2000-01 by Azlan (2003). Wang and Fuller (2001) conducted a study on the ecology of this species near Taohong Village in northern Jiangxi Province, southeastern China, from April 1993 to November 1994. Wang and Fuller (2003) conducted a study on the food habits of this species in and around a rural agricultural area of southeastern China (Taohong Village, Jiangxi Province) by analyzing its scats, the study was conducted between June 1992 and November 1994, and found that this species ate some mammals and insects, but mostly fruit.
Systems
- Terrestrial
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Habitat
These civets are found in a variety of forests. They live in deciduous, evergreen, and mixed deciduous forests, as well as mountainous regions (Rabinowitz, 1991; Duckworth, 1998). They are also found in tropical rain forests (Nowak, 1999) and are frequently found near human settlements (Parker, 1990).
Habitat Regions: tropical ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: forest ; rainforest ; scrub forest ; mountains
Other Habitat Features: agricultural
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Trophic Strategy
Food Habits
These civets are omnivorous and ingest mainly fruits, but they also eat small vertebrates, insects, and birds (Nowak, 1999).
Animal Foods: birds; insects
Plant Foods: fruit
Primary Diet: herbivore (Frugivore )
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Associations
Ecosystem Roles
These civets are located at the top of many food chains, and thus play an integral role in predator-prey interactions and ecosystem balance (Heydon, 1996). In regions affected negatively by fire and human-induced disturbances, they assist in maintaining the natural forest communities. They are also very important in seed dispersal through fecal material (Rabinowitz, 1991).
Ecosystem Impact: disperses seeds
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Predation
The masked palm civet is preyed upon by a variety of animals, including, but not limited to, tigers, hawks, leopards, jaguars, and humans. Their potent anal glands secrete a volatile mix of civetone (9-cis-cycloheptadecenone) and methyl ketones that discourage predation (Wheeler, 1998). Their facial 'mask' is thought to warn potential predators of these noxious glands (Nowak, 1999). Also, their excellent climbing skills can assist in evading predation (Parker, 1990).
Known Predators:
- tigers (Panthera tigris)
- hawks (Accipitridae)
- leopards (Panthera pardus)
- jaguars (Panthera onca)
- humans (Homo sapiens)
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Known predators
Accipitridae
Homo sapiens
Panthera onca
Panthera pardus
Panthera tigris
This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.
- Myers, P., R. Espinosa, C. S. Parr, T. Jones, G. S. Hammond, and T. A. Dewey. 2006. The Animal Diversity Web (online). Accessed February 16, 2011 at http://animaldiversity.org. http://www.animaldiversity.org
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Known prey organisms
Insecta
Aves
This list may not be complete but is based on published studies.
- Myers, P., R. Espinosa, C. S. Parr, T. Jones, G. S. Hammond, and T. A. Dewey. 2006. The Animal Diversity Web (online). Accessed February 16, 2011 at http://animaldiversity.org. http://www.animaldiversity.org
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Life History and Behavior
Life Expectancy
Lifespan/Longevity
The masked palm civet has lived up to 20 years in captivity, but probably averages about 10 years in the wild (Nowak, 1999).
Range lifespan
Status: captivity: 20 (high) years.
Typical lifespan
Status: wild: 10 (high) years.
Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 15.0 years.
Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 15.4 years.
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Lifespan, longevity, and ageing
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Reproduction
Reproduction
Mating behavior in this species is unknown.
There are two breeding seasons: early spring and late autumn. Litter size ranges from one to four offspring (Torii, 1986). The details of reproduction in this species are unknown.
Breeding season: Breeding occurs in early spring and late autumn.
Range number of offspring: 1 to 4.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization (Internal ); viviparous
Average number of offspring: 2.3.
The mother has two pair of mammary glands with which the young are nourished, usually within the safety of a tree hole. There seems to be a strong mother-young bond during lactation, but this ends after weaning. The young open their eyes after about nine days and are adult sized within three months (Nowak, 1999).
Parental Investment: altricial ; female parental care
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Conservation
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List Assessment
Red List Category
Red List Criteria
Version
Year Assessed
Assessor/s
Reviewer/s
Justification
History
- 1996Lower Risk/least concern
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Conservation Status
Masked palm civets are listed in appendix III of CITES. However, their habitat is being annihilated at an alarming rate by logging companies and human encroachment, making it possible that they will become increasingly vulnerable to becoming endangered (Heydon, 1996).
US Migratory Bird Act: no special status
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: appendix iii
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
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Trends
Population
Populations are difficult to assess by camera-trapping, as shown in Myanmar where comparing results of this method at several sites where there were also serious searches for hunted remains in villages reveals that even high levels of camera-trapping may fail to detect the species. This presumably reflects its semi-arboreal lifestyle (Than Zaw et al. in press.). The rather few camera-trapping records for Cambodia (J. L. Walstone pers. comm.) and Myanmar should not therefore be seen as evidence that the species lives at low population densities.
Population Trend
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Threats
Threats
In a study on the dynamics of trade in live wildlife across the Guangxi border between China and Viet Nam during 1993 to 1996, Li and Li (1998) "noted that the volume of trade in Paguma lavata was small, but the percentage of [it] in the restaurants was very large. This suggested that the supply of [this] species in the restaurants was partly from the domestic wildlife trade in China." It is farmed in China and elsewhere, and used for food throughout its range. SARS is a major issue for this species, causing the trade and sale of it to be banned in order to control the disease, as well as many breeding farms being closed. It is hunted in Viet Nam for local consumption. It is also hunted in Lao PDR, for local consumption and in trade to Viet Nam (W. Duckworth in litt. 2006), but there is no evidence from either of these countries that these activities are threatening populations. Because it is quite arboreal, it spends that proportion of its time outside the range of snares and most traps, and so is less exposed to them than are the more ground-dwelling small carnivores.
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Management
Conservation Actions
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Relevance to Humans and Ecosystems
Benefits
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
These civets often raid fruit crops when those crops are close enough to the forest (Veenakumari, 1996). They have also been known to take chickens and other poultry (Nowak, 1999; Parker, 1990). Individuals in Japan have shown a high susceptibility to canine distemper virus infections, which would taint prospective meat (Machida, 1992).
Negative Impacts: crop pest; causes or carries domestic animal disease
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Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
Masked palm civets are hunted for their fur and for food, and some local villagers keep them as pets. They are often used as ratters, since they are extremely quick and adept at killing these nuisance rodents (Nowak, 1999).
Positive Impacts: pet trade ; food ; controls pest population
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Wikipedia
Masked palm civet
The masked palm civet or gem-faced civet (Paguma larvata) is a civet species native to the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is classified by IUCN in 2008 as Least Concern as it occurs in many protected areas, is tolerant to some degree of habitat modification, and widely distributed with presumed large populations that are unlikely to be declining.[2]
In recent times, masked palm civets were considered to be a likely vector of SARS.[3]
Contents |
Appearance
In morphology the masked palm civet resembles other civets. Unlike most civets though, its orange-brown to gray fur completely lacks spots, stripes, and other patterns besides a mask.
That mask consists of a prominent white stripe stretching from nose to forehead (sometimes extends farther but has greatly reduced thickness) that halves a black mask that extends laterally to the far edges of the cheeks and caudally up the forehead, past the ears, and down the back of the neck before stopping just under the shoulder blades. The eyes are surrounded by white fur that can vary from faint, incomplete outlines to well-defined blotches. The lips, chin, and throat are white. In some, white stripes of fur, comparable to sideburns on humans due to shape and location, curve up from the throat. These curves vary in thickness and have ends that terminate either in small blotches at the ear base or large blotches that surround the base of both darkly furred ears.
No matter which coat it sports, masked palm civet's feet are always dark, often black, and the melanism usually extends partway up the legs in varying distances and intensities depending on the individual. The end of a masked palm civet's tail is sometimes darker than the majority of its coat. This difference in pigmentation can vary from a few shades darker than its coat to solid black and can cover a fourth to half of the tail.
The main body varies from 51 to 76 cm (20 to 28 in) in length, to which is added a tail of 51 to 63 cm (20 to 25 in). It weighs between 3.6 and 6 kg (8 and 13.2 lb).
Distribution and habitat
Masked palm civet are distributed from northern India to Southeast Asia and China. They are also found on several islands, such as Borneo, Sumatra, Taiwan, and the Andaman and Nicobar chains. In Japan, it is unclear whether they are a native species or were recently introduced by humans.[4] They live in forests, especially tropical rainforest and temperate deciduous forest.
Ecology and behaviour
The masked palm civet is a nocturnal solitary predator, which stays principally in trees. During the day, it sleeps in the treetops. When alarmed, the animal sprays a secretion from its anal gland against the predator. The spray is similar in function to that of a skunk, and its conspicuousness serves to deter other predators.
Feeding and diet
The masked palm civet is an omnivore, but the largest component of its diet is fruit. In addition it eats small vertebrates (such as squirrels and birds) as well as insects.
Reproduction
The female can bear young twice per year, in litters of one to four. The young grow to the size of an adult in about three months. Upon completion of copulation, males leave a copulation plug in the female's vaginal tract.[5]
Connection with SARS
In parts of China masked palm civets are hunted for their meat and eaten. Inadequate preparation of the meat may have been the cause for the outbreak of SARS.[3] In May 2003, the SARS virus was isolated in several masked palm civets found in a live-animal market in Guangdong, China. Evidence of virus infection was also detected in other animals including a racoon dog, and in humans working at the same market.[6]
In 2006, scientists from the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention of Hong Kong University and the Guangzhou Centre for Disease Control and Prevention established a direct genetic link between the SARS coronavirus appearing in civet cats and humans, bearing out claims that the disease had jumped across species.[7]
A later study revealed that the sequences of many SARS genomes show that the civets' cases of SARS were just one part of the family tree of SARS viruses in humans — probably humans got SARS from bats, then humans gave it to pigs once and to small civets once, and then these small carnivores may have given the disease back to humans once or twice. All the cases of SARS associated with the outbreak appeared to be part of the bat branch of the coronavirus phylogeny.[8]
Threats
The principal danger for the masked palm civet is continued habitat destruction.[2]
Conservation
Paguma larvata is protected in Malaysia and Thailand. The population of India is listed on CITES Appendix III.[2] In Hong Kong, it is a protected species under Wild Animals Protection Ordinance Cap 170.
See also
References
- ^ Wozencraft, W. Christopher (16 November 2005). "Order Carnivora (pp. 532-628)". In Wilson, Don E., and Reeder, DeeAnn M., eds. Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2 vols. (2142 pp.). pp. 550. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494. http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3.
- ^ a b c d Duckworth, J. W., Wozencraft, C., Kanchanasaka, B. (2008). "Paguma larvata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/41692.
- ^ a b World Chelonian Trust (2002) Palm Civets (Paguma larvata) and SARS World Chelonian Trust, California
- ^ Ryuichi Masuda; Yayoi Kaneko, Boripat Siriaroonrat, Vellayan Subramaniam and Masaharu Hamachi (2008). "Genetic Variations of the Masked Palm Civet Paguma larvata, Inferred from Mitochondrial Cytochrome B Sequences" (PDF). Mammal Study 33: 19–24. http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/mammalstudy/33/1/19/_pdf.
- ^ Jia, Z., Enkui Duan, Zhigang Jiang, Zuwang Wang. "Copulatory Plugs in Masked Palm Civets: Prevention of Semen Leakage, Sperm Storage, or Chastity Enhancement?". Journal of Mammalogy 83 (4): 1035–1038.
- ^ Guan, Y., Zheng, B.J., He, Y.Q., Liu, X.L., Zhuang, Z.X., Cheung, C.L., Luo, S.W., Li, P.H., Zhang, L.J., Guan, Y.J., Butt, K.M., Wong, K.L., Chan, K.W., Lim, W., Shortridge, K.F., Yuen, K.Y., Peiris, J.S., Poon, L.L. (2003) Isolation and characterization of viruses related to the SARS coronavirus from animals in southern China. Science 302 (5643): 276–278.
- ^ Qiu Quanlin (2006) Scientists prove SARS-civet cat link. China Daily, 2006-11-23
- ^ Caldwell, E. (2008) Evolutionary History of SARS Supports Bats As Virus Source Research News, Ohio State University
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