Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Cladus: Craniata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Cladus: Reptiliomorpha
Cladus: Amniota
Cladus: Synapsida
Cladus: Eupelycosauria
Cladus: Sphenacodontia
Cladus: Sphenacodontoidea
OrdoTherapsida
Cladus: Theriodontia
Subordo: Cynodontia
Cladus: Mammaliaformes
Classis: Mammalia
Subclassis: Trechnotheria
Infraclassis: Zatheria
Supercohort: Theria
Cohort: Eutheria
Cohort: Placentalia
Cladus: Boreoeutheria
Superordo: Laurasiatheria
Cladus: Ferae
Ordo: Carnivora
Subordo: Feliformia
Familia: Viverridae
Subfamilia: Viverrinae
Genus: Viverra
Species: Viverra megaspila
Name
Viverra megaspila Blyth, 1862
Type locality: "vicinity of Prome", Burma, Prome (Pye), 18°49'N, 95°13'E
References
Viverra megaspila in Mammal Species of the World.
Wilson, Don E. & Reeder, DeeAnn M. (Editors) 2005. Mammal Species of the World – A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Third edition. ISBN 0-8018-8221-4.
J. Asiatic Soc. Bengal 31: 331.
Vernacular names
Deutsch: Großfleck-Zibetkatze
English: Large-spotted Civet
español: Civeta moteada
français: Civette à grandes taches
日本語: ビルマジャコウネコ
Bahasa Melayu: Musang Titik Besar
The large-spotted civet (Viverra megaspila) is a viverrid native to Southeast Asia that is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.[1]
Characteristics
Pocock described the large-spotted civet as varying in colour from silvery-grey to golden-buff or tawny with a black to brown pattern and large or comparatively small spots, which are separated or sometimes fusing into blotches or into vertical stripes behind the shoulders. White bands on the tail are mostly restricted to the sides and lower surface but very seldom form complete rings. Adults measure 30–30.5 in (76–77 cm) in head and body with a 13–15.5 in (33–39 cm) long tail. Its weight ranges from 6.6–8.4 kg (14.5–18.5 lb).[2]
Distribution and habitat
Large-spotted civets are found in Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and China. In China, the last sighting occurred in 1998.[1] They inhabit evergreen, deciduous, and dry dipterocarp forests below altitudes of 300 m (980 ft). In Thailand, they occur in several protected areas as far south as the Ranong Province.[3]
Ecology and behaviour
Data on feeding ecology and behaviour of large-spotted civet do not exist.[1]
Threats
The large-spotted civet is threatened due to habitat degradation, habitat loss, and hunting with snares and dogs. The population is thought to have been steadily declining throughout the range countries, and in China and Vietnam in particular may have been reduced significantly.[1] In Chinese and Vietnamese markets, it is in demand as food.[4]
Taxonomic history
Pocock considered V. megaspila and V. civettina to be distinct species.[2] Ellerman and Morrison-Scott considered V. civettina a subspecies of V. megaspila.[5]
References
Timmins, R.; Duckworth, J.W.; WWF-Malaysia, Roberton, S.; Gray, T.N.E.; Willcox, D.H.A.; Chutipong, W. & Long, B. (2016). "Viverra megaspila". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T41707A45220097. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T41707A45220097.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
Pocock, R. I. (1939). "Moschothera megaspila (Blyth). The Large-spotted Civet". The fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma. Vol. Mammalia Volume 1. London: Taylor and Francis. pp. 356–358.
Lynam, A. J., Maung, M., Po, S.H.T. and Duckworth, J.W. (2005). Recent records of Large-spotted Civet Viverra megaspila from Thailand and Myanmar. Small Carnivore Conservation 32: 8–11.
Bell, D.; Roberton, S. & Hunter, P. R. (2004). "Animal origins of SARS coronavirus: possible links with the international trade in small carnivores". Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences. 359: 1107–1114.
Ellerman, J.R. and Morrison-Scott, T.C.S. (1966). Checklist of Palaearctic and Indian Mammals 1758 to 1946. Second edition. British Museum of Natural History, London.
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