Asiatic linsang

Fleckenlinsang ( Prionodon pardicolor )

The Linsangs ( Prionodon ) are a living in Southeast Asia genus of carnivores ( Carnivora ). Previously they were counted among the civets ( Viverridae ) by molecular genetic studies, they form their own family, Prionodontidae. There are slim built animals with long neck, whose coat is provided with spots or stripes. There are two types, the Bänderlinsang ( P. linsang ) and the Fleckenlinsang ( P. pardicolor )

Description

Linsangs reach a body length of 30 to 45 centimeters, the tail is 30 to 40 centimeters, slightly shorter than the trunk. It weighs 0.6 to 1.2 kilograms. The basic color of her soft, dense fur is light gray to reddish brown, the belly is slightly lighter. On the back five rows of stripes arranged in the form of dark spots, which are often grown together at Bänderlinsang into strips extend. At the neck run two dark longitudinal stripes, the flanks and the outer side of the upper arms and thighs are dotted. The tail is densely hairy and with seven to nine dark rings, the tip may be whitish. Your body is slender and elongated limbs are relatively short. The feet end in five toes, wear these claws, which can be drawn into claw sheaths. In contrast to the civets are missing the Perianaldrüsen with them.

Distribution and habitat

Linsangs live in Southeast Asia. Their range extends from Nepal and eastern India over southern China and the Malay Peninsula to the islands of Borneo and Java. Their habitat are also other types of forests primarily rainforests, to a lesser extent. They should be taken from sea level up to 2700 meters above sea level.

Way of life

Linsangs are primarily nocturnal. During the day they sleep in the trees, such as tree holes or hollow logs. At night, they go in search of food, while they often come to the floor. You can climb well and jump and move always head down the tree trunks down. The forefeet are plantigrade ( sole tomboyish ) and the hind paws digitigrad ( toes tomboyish ).

About the social behavior is shy due to their nocturnal lifestyle little known, probably they live solitary. The spot is marked with urine and feces, they also rub their shoulders, neck and flanks on objects to leave their scent trails.

They are predators that feed on rodents, birds, lizards, snakes, frogs, insects and other small animals. Sometimes they also eat carrion. Smaller prey animals are killed with a bite to the neck, greater are depressed with his front paws and killed with several bites.

Once or twice a year brings the females from February to August usually two pups. The Bänderlinsangs they weigh around 40 grams at birth and are fully grown after four months. Life expectancy may be in captivity for over 10 years.

Endangering

There are relatively few sightings of Linsangs, information on the degree of exposure are difficult due to their shy way of life. Main danger is the destruction of its habitat, it is not known to what extent they can survive in partially cleared forests or secondary forests. In the past they were hunted for their fur, they are now protected in most of its range. Both species are widespread and relatively common despite rare observations, the IUCN lists both species as " not at risk " ( least concern ).

System

Previously, the Linsangs were counted among the civets ( Viverridae ), where they in their own subfamily, Prionodontinae, presented either in the subfamily of the civets ( Viverrinae ) or. A particularly close relatives was the genre of Pojanas or African Linsangs ( Poiana ). After molecular genetic studies of Gaubert and Veron 2003 Linsangs are not closely related to the civets, but form a separate side branch, which is the sister group of cats. The morphological data of Gaubert et al. 2005, these results could be confirmed. So is the lack of Perianaldrüsen and the cat-like teeth marks for the near kinship to the cats.

There are two types:

• The Bänderlinsang ( Prionodon linsang ) has a slightly lighter coat, the spots are often grown together to form bands. He has the southern area of ​​distribution, namely, the Malay Peninsula and the South East Asian islands.
• The Fleckenlinsang ( Prionodon pardicolor ) has a more orange -brown fur, his spots are not connected. The species inhabits the mainland of Southeast Asia, from eastern India through southern China to Vietnam and into northern Thailand.

According to the molecular clock, the Linsangs have separated from the cats from around 42 million years ago, the two species diverged about 13 million years ago. With Palaeoprionodon a fossil representatives from the upper Oligocene is known that already resembled today's Linsangs.