The Viverrinae represent the largest
subfamily of the
Viverridae comprising three
genera, which are subdivided into six
species native to Africa and Southeast Asia.[2] This subfamily was denominated and first described by
John Edward Gray in 1864.[3]
DNA analysis based on 29
Carnivora species comprising 13 Viverrinae species and three species representing Paradoxurus, Paguma and
Hemigalinae supports the placement of Prionodon in the
monogeneric family Prionodontidae as the sister-group of the Felidae. These investigations also clarified the controversial issue of the boundaries of this subfamily supporting the Viverrinae as being constituted by two
monophyletic groups, namely the terrestrial civets Civettictis–Viverra–Viverricula and Poiana–Genetta.[7]
Viverrina species have a robust body. There is a deep
pouch for secreting in the form of a deep cavity on each side of the
anus. The back of the hind feet is hairy except the pad of the toes and the
metatarsus.[3] The
digitigrade feet are adapted for movement on the ground. The cushion-like indistinctly subdivided
plantar pad and the pads of digits 2 to 4 are alone applied to the ground. The first digit is small and set well above the plantar pad, and constitutes a practically functionless "
dew-claw". The
dental formula is: 3.1.4.23.1.4.2.[4]
They have excellent hearing and vision. Their flesh-shearing
carnassial teeth are relatively undeveloped.[23]
Viverrids are amongst the 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 retractile or partially retractile
claws, and a
baculum.[citation needed]
The Viverrinae range in size from the
African linsang with a body length of 33 cm (13 in) and a weight of 650 g (1.43 lb) to the
African civet at 84 cm (33 in) and 18 kg (40 lb).[citation needed]
Distribution and ecology
This subfamily is found throughout the
Oriental region, and is represented in Africa by the African civet (Civettictis civetta).[4] The
common genet (Genetta genetta) is considered to have been introduced to Europe and the
Balearic islands, and occurs in all of continental Portugal, Spain and most of France.[24]
They are generally solitary and
omnivorous, despite their placement in the order Carnivora.[23]
^
abcPocock, R. I. (1939).
"Subfamily Viverrinae". The Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma. Vol. Mammalia. – Volume 1. London: Taylor and Francis. pp. 342–376.
^Ellerman, J. R. & Morrison-Scott, T. C. S. (1966).
"Genus Prionodon Horsfield 1822". Checklist of Palaearctic and Indian mammals 1758 to 1946 (Second ed.). London: British Museum of Natural History. pp. 284–285.
^
abLinnæus, C. (1758).
"Viverra Zibetha". Systema naturæ per regna tria naturæ, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I (in Latin) (10 ed.). Holmiæ (Stockholm): Laurentius Salvius. p. 44.
^Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, E. (1803).
"La Civette de l'Inde". Catalogue des Mammifères du Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle. Paris: Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle. p. 113.
^Schreber, J. C. D. (1778).
"Die Civette Viverra civetta". Die Säugethiere in Abbildungen nach der Natur, mit Beschreibungen. Erlangen: Wolfgang Walther. pp. 418–420.
^Delibes, M. (1999). Genetta genetta. In: A. J. Mitchell-Jones, G. Amori, W. Bogdanowicz, B. Kryštufek, P. J. H. Reijnders, F. Spitzenberger, M. Stubbe, J. B. M. Thissen, V. Vohralík, and J. Zima (eds.) The Atlas of European Mammals. Academic Press, London, UK