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==Characteristics==
==Characteristics==
Viverrids have four or five toes to each foot and half retractile [[claws]]. There are six [[Incisor|cutting teeth]] in each jaw and [[Molar (tooth)|true grinders]] with two tubercular grinders behind in the upper jaw, and one in the lower jaw. The tongue is rough with sharp prickles. There is a pouch or [[Anal gland|gland]] beneath the anus, but no [[coecum]].<ref name=Gray1821/> The usual [[dentition|dental formula]] is:{{DentalFormula|upper=3.1.4.2|lower=3.1.4.2}}
Viverrids have four or five toes to each foot and half retractile [[claws]]. There are six [[Incisor|cutting teeth]] in each jaw and [[Molar (tooth)|true grinders]] with two tubercular grinders behind in the upper jaw, and one in the lower jaw. The tongue is rough with sharp prickles. There is a pouch or [[Anal gland|gland]] beneath the anus, but no [[coecum]].<ref name=Gray1821/>

Viverrids are the most primitive of all the families of [[Aeluroidea|aeluroid]] [[carnivora]] and clearly less specialized than the ''[[Felidae]]''. In external characters, they are distinguished from the ''Felidae'' by the hind foot being five-toed owing to the invariable presence of the first digit, by the retention of the interramal tuft of facial [[vibrissae]], and typically by the longer muzzle and shorter limbs. The skull differs by the position of the post-[[palatine foramen|palatine foramina]] on the [[maxilla]], almost always well in advance of the maxillo-palatine [[Suture (anatomy)|suture]], and usually about the level of the second [[premolar]]; by the distinct external division of the [[auditory bulla]] into its two elements either by a definite groove or, when rarely this is obliterated, by the depression of the [[tympanic bone]] in front of the swollen entotympanic. The typical [[dentition|dental formula]] is: {{DentalFormula|upper=3.1.4.2|lower=3.1.4.2}}, but the number may be reduced, although never to the same extent as in the ''Felidae''. <ref name=Pocock1939/>


They are generally solitary and have excellent hearing and vision. Despite their placement in the order Carnivora, they are [[omnivorous]], or, in the case of the [[palm civet]], almost entirely [[herbivorous]]. Their flesh-shearing [[carnassial]] teeth are relatively undeveloped.<ref name=EoM>{{cite book |editor=Macdonald, D.|author= Wozencraft, W. C. |year=1984 |title= The Encyclopedia of Mammals|publisher= Facts on File|location=New York|pages= 134–135|isbn= 0-87196-871-1}}</ref>
They are generally solitary and have excellent hearing and vision. Despite their placement in the order Carnivora, they are [[omnivorous]], or, in the case of the [[palm civet]], almost entirely [[herbivorous]]. Their flesh-shearing [[carnassial]] teeth are relatively undeveloped.<ref name=EoM>{{cite book |editor=Macdonald, D.|author= Wozencraft, W. C. |year=1984 |title= The Encyclopedia of Mammals|publisher= Facts on File|location=New York|pages= 134–135|isbn= 0-87196-871-1}}</ref>


Viverrids range in size from the [[African Linsang]] with a body length of {{convert|33|cm|in|abbr=on}} and a weight of {{convert|650|g|lb|abbr=on}}, to the [[African Civet]] at {{convert|84|cm|in|abbr=on}} and {{convert|18|kg|lb|abbr=on}}; although very large [[Binturong]]s, which can weigh up to {{convert|25|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, attain the greatest mass.{{cn|date=March 2013}} Viverrids are amongst the most primitive families of the [[Carnivora]], with skeletons very similar to those of fossils dating back to the [[Eocene]], up to 50 million years ago. They are variable in form, but generally resemble long-nosed cats. Most have a [[baculum]].{{cn|date=May 2012}}
Viverrids range in size from the [[African Linsang]] with a body length of {{convert|33|cm|in|abbr=on}} and a weight of {{convert|650|g|lb|abbr=on}}, to the [[African Civet]] at {{convert|84|cm|in|abbr=on}} and {{convert|18|kg|lb|abbr=on}}; although very large [[Binturong]]s, which can weigh up to {{convert|25|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, attain the greatest mass.{{cn|date=March 2013}} Their skeletons are similar to those of [[fossil]]s dating back to the [[Eocene]], up to 50 million years ago. Most have a [[baculum]].{{cn|date=May 2012}}


==Classification==
==Classification==

Revision as of 14:05, 12 March 2013

Viverridae
Ma
Eocene to Recent
A mosaic of four small photos of viverrids in trees
Viverrids, including (top left to bottom right), species of
Arctictis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Mammalia
Order:
Carnivora
Suborder:
Feliformia
Family:
Viverridae

Gray, 1821
Subfamilies

Paradoxurinae
Hemigalinae

Prionodontinae

Viverrinae

The Viverridae is a

species.[1] This family was named and first described by John Edward Gray in 1821.[2]

Viverrids are found all over the

Celebes, as well as some of the adjoining islands, shows them to be ancient inhabitants of the tropics of the Old World.[3]

Favoured habitats include woodland, savanna, mountains and, above all,

Otter Civet is classified as endangered.[1]

Characteristics

Viverrids have four or five toes to each foot and half retractile

coecum.[2]

Viverrids are the most primitive of all the families of

tympanic bone in front of the swollen entotympanic. The typical dental formula is: 3.1.4.23.1.4.2, but the number may be reduced, although never to the same extent as in the Felidae. [3]

They are generally solitary and have excellent hearing and vision. Despite their placement in the order Carnivora, they are

herbivorous. Their flesh-shearing carnassial teeth are relatively undeveloped.[4]

Viverrids range in size from the

African Civet at 84 cm (33 in) and 18 kg (40 lb); although very large Binturongs, which can weigh up to 25 kg (55 lb), attain the greatest mass.[citation needed] Their skeletons are similar to those of fossils dating back to the Eocene, up to 50 million years ago. Most have a baculum.[citation needed
]

Classification

Although it resembles the civets of the family Viverridae, the

African linsangs of genus Poiana are viverrids.[1]

Species

Asian Palm Civet
The Spotted Genet
African Civet
  • Family Viverridae[1]
    • Subfamily Paradoxurinae
    • Subfamily Hemigalinae
      • Genus
        Chrotogale
        • Owston's Palm Civet
          (Chrotogale owstoni)
      • Genus
        Cynogale
        • Otter Civet
          (Cynogale bennettii)
      • Genus
        Diplogale
        • Hose's Palm Civet
          (Diplogale hosei)
      • Genus
        Hemigalus
        • Banded Palm Civet
          (Hemigalus derbyanus)
    • Subfamily Viverrinae
      • Genus Civettictis
        • African Civet
          (Civettictis civetta)
      • Genus
        Genetta
        • Abyssinian Genet
          (Genetta abyssinica)
        • Angolan Genet
          (Genetta angolensis)
        • Bourlon's Genet
          (Genetta bourloni)
        • Crested Servaline Genet
          (Genetta cristata)
        • Common Genet
          (Genetta genetta)
        • Johnston's Genet
          (Genetta johnstoni)
        • Rusty-spotted Genet
          (Genetta maculata)
        • Pardine Genet
          (Genetta pardina)
        • Aquatic Genet
          (Genetta piscivora)
        • King Genet
          (Genetta poensis)
        • Servaline Genet
          (Genetta servalina)
        • Haussa Genet
          (Genetta thierryi)
        • Cape Genet
          (Genetta tigrina)
        • Giant Forest Genet
          (Genetta victoriae)
      • Genus Poiana
        • Leighton's Linsang
          (Poiana leightoni)
        • African Linsang
          (Poiana richardsonii)
      • Genus Viverra
        • Malabar Large-spotted Civet
          (Viverra civettina)
        • Large-spotted Civet
          (Viverra megaspila)
        • Malayan Civet
          (Viverra tangalunga)
        • Large Indian Civet
          (Viverra zibetha)
      • Genus
        Viverricula
        • Small Indian Civet
          (Viverricula indica)

Civet × genet hybrids

In

The Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication Charles Darwin noted: "The Genetta has bred both here and in the Jardin des Plantes, and produced hybrids."[6]
Others have also reported civet × genet hybrids.

References

  1. ^
    OCLC 62265494
    .
  2. ^ a b Gray, J. E. (1821). On the natural arrangement of vertebrose animals. London Medical Repository, 15(1): 296–310.
  3. ^ a b Pocock, R. I. (1939). The fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma. Mammalia. – Volume 1. Taylor and Francis, London. Pp. 330–332.
  4. ISBN 0-87196-871-1
    .
  5. ^
    doi:10.1111/j.1096-3642.2008.00451.x. {{cite journal}}: Cite uses deprecated parameter |authors= (help
    )
  6. ^ *Darwin, C. (1868). The Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication. Volume 2 (1st ed.). London: John Murray. p. 151.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Viverridae.
Wikispecies has information related to Viverridae.
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