- Aquatic Genet
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Aquatic Genet[1] Conservation status Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Viverridae Subfamily: Viverrinae Genus: Genetta Species: G. piscivora Binomial name Genetta piscivora
(Allen, 1919)
Aquatic Genet range The Aquatic Genet (Genetta piscivora) is a carnivoran mammal from the north-east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Aquatic Genet is related to civets and linsangs. Unlike other genets who have handsomely spotted coats and ringed tails, the Aquatic Genet has a plain, rusty-coloured coat and a black tail, with white spots behind its eyes[3]. The conservation status of this genet is data deficient, but it is suspected to be "among the rarest of African carnivores"[2].
This unusual genet inhabits rainforest[2] and feeds primarily on fish[3], which it attracts by gently tapping the surface of the water of rainforest streams[citation needed]. This genet also uses its whiskers to feel the surface of the water. Its paws are hairless, an adaptation for catching fish. This carnivore also is thought to consume frogs and similar aquatic prey. Despite its diet, and its common name, it is not a good swimmer[citation needed].
Like most members of its family, it is a secretive and rarely seen species, and little is known about its behaviour in the wild.
This species was formerly placed in its own genus, Osbornictis. However, Osbornictis has now been demonstrated to be the same genus as Genetta[1].
References
- ^ a b Wilson, Don E.; Reeder, DeeAnn M., eds (2005). "Genetta piscivora". Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2 vols. (2142 pp.). ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494. http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3/browse.asp?id=14000399.
- ^ a b c Van Rompaey, H., Gaubert, P. & Hoffmann, M. (2008). Genetta piscivora. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 24 March 2009. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of data deficient
- ^ a b Genetta piscivora on Animal Diversity Web
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