Arctogalidia trivirgata (Gray, 1832)

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2009, Viverridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 1 Carnivores, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 174-232 : 194

24.

Small-toothed Palm Civet

Arctogalidia trivirgata

French: Civette a trois bandes / German: Streifenroller / Spanish: Galidia

Other common names: Three-striped Palm Civet

Taxonomy. Paradoxurus trivirgatus Gray, 1832 ,

type locality restricted to “ Java, Buitenzorg”.

Three subspecies are recognized here, but a systematic revision is needed. Some authors believe that the Small-toothed Palm Civet should be split into two species, one north of the Isthmus of Kra and one in the Sundaic region. Three subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

A. t. trivirgata Gray, 1832 — Peninsular Thailand and Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo; also found on several small Indonesian Is.

A. t. leucotis Horsfield, 1851 — NE India (Assam), Bangladesh, China (Yunnan), and Mainland SE Asia to the Isthmus of Kra.

A. t. tnilineata Wagner, 1841 — Java.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 43.2-53. 2 cm, tail 46.3-66 cm, hindfoot 7.5-9. 5 cm, ear 4.2-5 cm; weight 2.2-5 kg. A small civet with a long tail; smaller on Borneo, and the pelage varies in color and pattern between different populations. The coat color varies from gray to dark brown; the underparts are grayish-white or creamy buff. The under fur on the back and sides is reddish brown. There are three dark dorsal stripes (narrow rows of spots) and a median white band on the nose (which can be missing or inconspicuous, particularly in Bornean individuals). The head and feet are darker than the body. Thetail is dark brown or black and is paler at the base; there can also be faint dark rings at the base of the tail in some individuals. The skin and hairs on the tip of the ear are white in populations north of the Isthmus of Kra (subspecies A. t. leucotis). The rhinarium has a deep groove in the front and on its upper surface. The feet have five digits and smooth plantar pads; the metapodial pads are large and covered with smooth skin. The area between the metatarsal pads is naked and covered by coarse skin; the heel is hairy. On the hindfoot, the third and fourth digit pads are close together, but are not fused as in other paradoxurine species. The perineal scent gland is absent in the male. In the female,this gland is simple and consists of a small naked area in front of the vulva, surrounded by a flap of naked skin; the gland does not reach the anus and the principal secreting area is located in front of the vulva. There are two pairs of teats. The skull has long post-orbital processes; the post-orbital process of the zygomatic arch rises sharply to form part of the lower rim of the orbit. The sagittal crest is low and incomplete in some specimens, but the occipital crests are well-developed. The auditory bullae have a distinctive fusion of the bones of the anterior and posterior chambers. Dental formula: 1 3/3, C 1/1, P 4/4, M 2/2 = 40. The teeth are small, round, and widely separated. The protocone of the upper carnassial is medial to the paracone and the shearing blades of the molars are absent.

Habitat. Primary semi-evergreen forest; a few records are from degraded forest in Laos. Found up to 1500 m. In Vietnam, an adult was observed in primary hill forest at 770 m and two sightings were in lowland, semi-evergreen forest. In Cambodia, a male was observed in a small area of semi-evergreen forest at 150 m and in Thailand individuals were seen in dry evergreen forest. In central Sumatra, a skull was found in primary forest at 300 m. On Borneo, one individual was trapped in primary forest at 600 m.

Food and Feeding. Believed to be omnivorous, feeding on small vertebrates, invertebrates, and fruits. On Borneo, two stomachs contained 90% fruits and arthropods; another stomach collected in Myanmar contained remains of squirrels. Has been observed feeding on figs.

Activity patterns. Appears to be nocturnal: sightings have been recorded in the early morning hours and during the night. Said to rest during the day in the upper branches of tall trees.

Movements, Home Range and Social organization. Appears to be solitary, although pairs have been seen. Arboreal: mainly observed in the crown of trees and rarely on the ground. It is an excellent climber and uses its tail for balance while walking on thin limbs. In Thailand, individuals were seen in trees, 10-25 m from the ground, and a pair was seen feeding in a fig tree. In Vietnam, individuals were observed in trees, 15-50 m above the ground, and in Cambodia, a single male was seen feeding in a fig tree. In Laos, several sightings were recorded in the canopy, but none were seen on the ground.

Breeding. A female with two embryos has been reported; in captivity, litter size ranged from one to three, with two litters a year. A captive female had her first estrus period at 17 months and then at six-month intervals. Gestation is 45 days. The young are born blind; their eyes open at eleven days. They are weaned after two months.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The [UCN Red List, the Javan subspecies trilineata has been recorded only in Gunung Halimun, Gunung Gede and Ujung Kulon National Parks, and is classified as Endangered by The IUCN Red List and is considered Threatened in the 1989 IUCN Action Planfor the Conservation ofMustelids and Viverrids. Habitat loss and degradation could be a serious threat: in South-east Asia, there has been loss and degradation of primary forests through logging and conversion to non-forest land-uses. On Borneo, the overall density of civets in logged forests was found to be significantly lower than in primary forests. Small-toothed Palm Civets are hunted in the Indochina region, and they are seen in local markets and outside restaurants. However, they may be less vulnerable to traps and snares set on the ground than more terrestrial civet species. Field surveys are needed to determine their current distribution and to monitor populations. As this is a very arboreal species, it is unlikely to be detected by camera-trapsset close to the ground; spotlighting at night appears to be a more appropriate detection method. Ecological studies also are needed.

Bibliography. Borissenko et al. (2004), Corbet & Hill (1992), Davis (1962), Duckworth (1997), Goldman (1982), Holden (2006), IUCN (2008), Lekagul & McNeely (1991), Long & Hoang (2006), Medway (1969), Meiri (2005), Payne et al. (1985), Pocock (1915f, 1933c, 1939), Rabinowitz (1991), Schreiber et al. (1989), Van Bemmel (1952), Veron (1999), Walston & Duckworth (2003), Wells et al. (2005), Wozencraft (1984, 2005).

Figures

24. Small-toothed Palm Civet (Arctogalidia trivirgata), 25. Sulawesi Palm Civet (Macrogalidia musschenbroekii), 26. Binturong (Arctictis binturong), 27. Masked Palm Civet (Paguma larvata), 28. Common Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), 29. Brown Palm Civet (Paradoxurus jerdoni), 30. Golden Palm Civet (Paradoxurus zeylonensis), 31. Otter Civet (Cynogale bennettii), 32. Owston’s Palm Civet (Chrotogale owstoni), 33. Banded Palm Civet (Hemugalus derbyanus), 34. Hose’s Palm Civet (Diplogale hosei)

Subspecies and Distribution. A. t. trivirgata Gray, 1832 — Peninsular Thailand and Malaysia , Sumatra, and Borneo; also found on several small Indonesian Is. A. t. leucotis Horsfield, 1851 — NE India (Assam), Bangladesh , China (Yunnan), and Mainland SE Asia to the Isthmus of Kra. A. t. tnilineata Wagner, 1841 — Java.