An interactive identification key for genets and oyans (Carnivora, Viverridae, Genettinae, Genetta spp. and Poiana spp.) using Xper²

Abstract

We built an interactive identification key (IIK) to provide a user-friendly tool for the problematic identification of the Genettinae species (Genetta spp. and Poiana spp.) using Xper², a knowledge platform dedicated to taxonomic description and identification. A total of 45 qualitative characters were described after the observation of > 4500 specimens, representing 19 species. Assessing among-species discrimination efficiency per character partition and character, we were able to establish a list of 13 characters from skull and coat likely to optimize species identification among Genettinae. Genetta maculata and G. “letabae”, which belong to the large-spotted genet complex, was the only species pair that could not be distinguished. The IIK of Genettinae we propose herein (http://lis.snv.jussieu.fr/apps/xper/data/genettes/ web/) may be used to assist regular-basis update of distribution ranges, a needed effort for several poorly known species of high conservation concern.

Small carnivorans, museums and zoos

“…By combining images of museum specimens, and wild and captive specimens, websites have been developed to help identification of some taxa. For example, Philippe Gaubert and colleagues have developed an invaluable website for identification of genets Genetta spp and oyans Poiana spp (Gaubert et al, 2008; http://lis-upmc.snv.jussieu.fr/xper2/ba sesHtml/genettes_en/web/index.html). There is much potential for developing similar web resources for other small carnivoran taxa, which would be of benefit to a variety of conservation work, including zoos, field workers, law-enforcement officers and archaeologists, to name a few.…”

Where have the ‘black genets’ gone? A likely restriction of melanistic cases of the common genet (Genetta genetta) to its introduced range

“…We used a series of taxonomically discriminative coat-related traits that characterize G. genetta from the other species of genets (including G. maculata, G. servalina and G. angolensis): continuous and crested mid-dorsal line; longitudinal coalescence of the first row of dorsal spots; tail with long hairs (from 40 to 45 mm); eight to nine bright rings on tail alternated to the tip; tip of the tail bright (i.e. rufous, and not black, in melanistic specimens); and relative width of the bright rings over the dark rings nearing 100% (Gaubert et al 2008). Whenever possible, taxonomic attributions based on skins were crosschecked using cranial material.…”

“…spots, annulation of the tail) is the same as in standard phenotypes and is especially visible when animals are exposed to light (in which case background coloration appears rufous). The opportunity of observing coat patterns on melanistic skins of genets makes taxonomic attribution possible, since coat characters have been shown to be extremely useful for species-level identification within the genus Genetta (Gaubert 2003;Gaubert et al 2005Gaubert et al , 2008. The first phase of our investigations was based on the observation of skins of genets from 13 natural history museum collections worldwide (see Gaubert et al 2008).…”

“…The opportunity of observing coat patterns on melanistic skins of genets makes taxonomic attribution possible, since coat characters have been shown to be extremely useful for species-level identification within the genus Genetta (Gaubert 2003;Gaubert et al 2005Gaubert et al , 2008. The first phase of our investigations was based on the observation of skins of genets from 13 natural history museum collections worldwide (see Gaubert et al 2008). We used a series of taxonomically discriminative coat-related traits that characterize G. genetta from the other species of genets (including G. maculata, G. servalina and G. angolensis): continuous and crested mid-dorsal line; longitudinal coalescence of the first row of dorsal spots; tail with long hairs (from 40 to 45 mm); eight to nine bright rings on tail alternated to the tip; tip of the tail bright (i.e.…”