Helogale hirtula, Gray, 1862
|
publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.5676639 |
|
DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5698487 |
|
persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/143F87B3-FFD8-FF9E-FF09-960BF9FDF9A9 |
|
treatment provided by |
Conny |
|
scientific name |
Helogale hirtula |
| status |
|
29. View On
Ethiopian Dwarf Mongoose
French: Mangouste d'Ethiopie / German: Somalia-Zwergmanguste / Spanish: Mangosta etiope
Other common names: Somali Dwarf Mongoose, Desert Dwarf Mongoose.
Taxonomy. Helogale hirtula Thomas, 1904 View in CoL ,
Gabredarre, Kebridar, Ethiopia.
Previously considered by some authors to comprise two subspecies, hirtula ( Somalia, Ethiopia, N. Kenya) and percivalli (C & W Kenya). However, a lack of specimens to support subspecific designations makes these doubtful and this species is considered monotypic here.
Distribution. Djibouty, S Ethiopia, S & C Somalia, N & C Kenya, and NE Tanzania. View Figure
Descriptive notes. Head-body 20-27 cm, tail 15-18 cm; weight 220-354 g. Overall grizzled gray color with yellowish face and underparts. Compared to Common Dwarf Mongoose, the coloris less red, and Ethiopian Dwarf Mongoose has brown-black digits and its coat is longer and shaggier. The head is short but pointed, with small, rounded ears. Elongated, low body on short legs. Long claws on forefeet. No obvious sexual dimorphism. Dental formula: 13/3 C1/1P 3/3 M 2/2 = 36. Cheek teeth relatively heavy compared to those of Common Dwarf Mongoose.
Habitat. Principally arid, semi-desert grassland, scrub, bush, and dry open woodland, but not closed forest. Occurs at elevations up to 600 m in Ethiopia. Not water-dependent. Uses termitaria and rocky outcrops for dens.
Food and Feeding. Nothing known.
Activity patterns. Diurnal.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. Said to be social.
Breeding. Nothing known.
Status and Conservation. Not CITES listed. Classified as Least Concern in The [UCN Red Last. Distribution believed to be patchy and densities are unknown. Due to its small body size, open habitat, and diurnal lifestyle it is likely vulnerable to a wide array of predators. There is no quantitative data on its behavior or ecology and field studies are needed. Sympatric with Common Dwarf Mongoose throughoutits range.
Bibliography. Caro & Stoner (2003), Kingdon (1997), Kingdon & Van Rompaey (In press), Wozencraft (2005), Yalden et al. (1996).
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.
