Chrotogale owstoni, Thomas, 1912

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2009, Viverridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 1 Carnivores, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 174-232 : 198

32.

Owston’s Palm Civet

Chrotogale owstoni

French: Civette d'Owston / German: Fleckenroller / Spanish: Hemigalo chino

Taxonomy. Chrotogale owstoni Thomas, 1912 ,

Yen Bay on the Songhoi River, Vietnam.

No subspecies are recognized, but there may be two distinct geographic clades. Monotypic.

Distribution. S China (Yunnan & Guangxi), Laos, and Vietnam.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 56-72 cm, tail 35-47 cm, ear 4-6 cm; weight 2-5—4-2 kg. A slender civet with a pointed muzzle and large pointed ears. The coat color varies from nearly white to buff; the pelage is washed by orange in adults. The underparts are whitish, but are also orange around the belly, especially in the male. There are four large black bands across the back, which resemble long triangles (with their bases on the back and the apex towards the abdomen). This pelage pattern is similar to the Banded Palm Civet, but differs from Hemigalusby the presence of black spots on the sides of the neck, forelimbs, thighs, and flanks. The muzzle is long and pointed; the ears and eyes are large. The face has a narrow black stripe that runs along the midline from the nose to the nape, and two broad black stripes that start at the muzzle, encircle each eye, and pass backwards over the base of the ear to the neck. There are whitish patches under and above each eye. Two broad stripes run from the neck back to the shoulders. The terminal two-thirds ofthe tail is black; there are two faint black rings at the base. There are two pairs of teats. The feet have five digits; the metatarsal pad covers half the foot. The skull is long and low. Dental formula: 13/3, C 1/1, P 4/4, M 2/2 = 40. The lower incisors are projecting and the canines are thin and curved.

Habitat. Primary deciduous and evergreen forest, bamboo forest, and degraded forest. Found from lowland to montane areas and in scrubby and humid habitats (near streams, lakes, and rivers).

Food and Feeding. Specimen stomach contents and information from captive animals suggest that earthworms are the major food item in the diet (65-100% of the total content), but it may also include small vertebrates, insects, and fruit.

Activity patterns. Observations and camera-trap photographs indicate that this species is nocturnal. Den and restsites are said to be under large tree trunks, in dense bushes, in tree holes, amongst rocks, or in the ground.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Terrestrial, but can climb well. Considered solitary, except during the breeding season.

Breeding. Information is known only from captive animals. The breeding season appears to be mainly from January to early March, during which both sexes increase flank rubbing, scent marking, and vocalizations. When the female comes into estrus, the male becomes excited and spends much of the time following the female and attempting to mount her. She does not accept mating immediately, but initially avoids the male mounting by moving forward or sometimes turning and snapping at him. All mating behavior happens in darkness. During copulation, the female lies flat on the ground with her body extended. The hindpart of her body rises slightly and the tail is raised up high to expose the vulva; she will often purr in this position. The male firmly places his forelegs on either side of the female’s shoulders and his hindlegs on either side of the female’s flanks, and begins to make thrusting movements. Copulations last for two to three minutes, after which each animal makes a low meow sound and the male dismounts. There are numerous copulations during the night (at least eight and as many as 15). Gestation is between 75 and 87 days. Litter size varies from one to three. Most births occur at night; newborn weight is around 80-135 g. The young are born blind; their eyes open between four and fifteen days. From birth, they are able to purr, mew, growl, and “chuff” (a call that is used by kittens to summon their mother and between siblings). The young are capable of walking at 10-14 days and start exploring their environment at four to six weeks. Between eight and eleven weeks, they start eating solid food, particularly worms. They are weaned at around 12-18 weeks. The young reach full size at two years and sexual maturity at around 18 months; the first breeding season may occur at 21 months.

Status and Conservation. CITES Appendix II. Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red Lust. Listed as Endangered on the China Red List and as Threatened in the 1989 IUCN Action Plan for the Conservation of Mustelids and Viverrids. Owston’s Palm Civet is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, and illegal hunting for food, medicines, and trophies. Due to its restricted distribution and high level of threats, this species is of conservation concern. In 1995, a captive-breeding program was established at Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietham (the Owston’s Palm Civet Conservation Program); there have been successful births since 1997, and in 2004 three breeding pairs were exported to England. Field surveys and ecological studies are needed to ascertain its current distribution, to monitor populations, and to determine its tolerance to habitat disturbance.

Bibliography. Adler (1991), Corbet & Hill (1992), Dang & Anh (1997), Dang & Evghenjeva (1990), Dang, Anh & Huynh (1992), Dang, Anh, Nhu & Chan (1991), Duckworth (1997), Heard (1999), Long & Hoang (2006), Pocock (1933c¢), Roberton & Muir (2005), Rozhnov et al. (1992), Schreiber et al. (1989), Streicher (2001), Tan (1989), Veron (1999), Veron & Heard (2000), Veron, Heard et al. (2004), Veron, Laidlaw et al. (2004), Wozencraft (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)

Distribution. S China (Yunnan & Guangxi), Laos , and Vietnam .