Eupleres goudotii

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	CARNIVORA	EUPLERIDAE

Scientific Name:

Eupleres goudotii

Species Authority:

Doyère, 1835

Common Name/s:

English	–	Falanouc, Fanalouc, Malagasy Mongoose, Slender Fanalouc, Small-toothed Mongoose
French	–	Euplère De Goudot
Spanish	–	Fanaloca, Mangosta Dentipequeno

Synonym/s:

Eupleres major Lavauden, 1929

Taxonomic Notes:

Two subspecies have been described: Eastern Falanouc (E. g. goudotii) from the eastern lowland rainforests, and Western Falanouc (E. g. major), which is recorded from the Sambirano region in the far north south to about Baly Bay. The subspecies are not well defined, and more taxonomic work needs to be done.

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Near Threatened ver 3.1

Year Published:

2008

Assessor/s:

Hawkins, A.F.A.

Reviewer/s:

Hoffmann, M. (Global Mammal Assessment Team) & Duckworth, J.W. (Small Carnivore Red List Authority)

Justification:
Over the last 10 years, the population reduction of this species based on the combined impacts of habitat loss (especially given its mostly specialized diet and habitat requirements) and widespread hunting and the effects of feral carnivores, is estimated at 20-25%. The loss could be higher, although there is no current comprehensive data to support this. Almost qualifies as threatened under criterion A2cd.

History:

2000	–	Endangered
1996	–	Endangered
1994	–	Vulnerable (Groombridge 1994)
1990	–	Vulnerable (IUCN 1990)
1988	–	Vulnerable (IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1988)
1986	–	Insufficiently Known (IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1986)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species is endemic to Madagascar, where it has been recorded from the eastern, northwestern, and western forests. The elevational range is from sea level to 1,025 m.
Countries:	Native: Madagascar
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	This species is very uncommon across its range, and is seldom found using standard trapping techniques, which could be due to its specialized diet of earthworms. Only in Amber Mountain National Park and Andohahela National Park have individuals been seen regularly.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This species occurs in wetlands or near wetlands within either dense humid rainforests (east) or dry deciduous forests (west) (Albignac 1973). It is a largely solitary, nocturnal and crepuscular species; although diurnal sightings have been recorded, animals generally spend the day under logs, in crevices and under similar ground cover. The species feeds almost exclusively on earthworms, but occasionally takes amphibians, insects or their larvae. The females give birth to one or two young, which are very well developed at birth. Seldom found far from intact forest.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

This species occurs in wetlands or near wetlands within either dense humid rainforests (east) or dry deciduous forests (west) (Albignac 1973). It is a largely solitary, nocturnal and crepuscular species; although diurnal sightings have been recorded, animals generally spend the day under logs, in crevices and under similar ground cover. The species feeds almost exclusively on earthworms, but occasionally takes amphibians, insects or their larvae. The females give birth to one or two young, which are very well developed at birth. Seldom found far from intact forest.

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The major threats to this species are deforestation of its habitat through conversion of forest to cultivated land, logging and charcoal production. It appears that this species is also selectively hunted for its meat by local people (Schneider 1989). Further studies are needed to quantify the impact of this hunting on Eupleres populations. Where present, predation by feral cats and dogs threaten this species, especially on the periphery of forests.

Major Threat(s):

The major threats to this species are deforestation of its habitat through conversion of forest to cultivated land, logging and charcoal production. It appears that this species is also selectively hunted for its meat by local people (Schneider 1989). Further studies are needed to quantify the impact of this hunting on Eupleres populations. Where present, predation by feral cats and dogs threaten this species, especially on the periphery of forests.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	This species is listed on Appendix II of CITES. It has been recorded from a number of protected areas, including Maningoza Special Reserve, Andohahela National Park, Ankarafansika National Park, Baie de Baly National Park, Montagne d'Ambre National Park and Ranomafana National Park. Further studies into the ecology, distribution, taxonomy and exploitation of this little-known species are needed.

Conservation Actions:

This species is listed on Appendix II of CITES. It has been recorded from a number of protected areas, including Maningoza Special Reserve, Andohahela National Park, Ankarafansika National Park, Baie de Baly National Park, Montagne d'Ambre National Park and Ranomafana National Park. Further studies into the ecology, distribution, taxonomy and exploitation of this little-known species are needed.

Citation:	Hawkins, A.F.A. 2008. Eupleres goudotii. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 25 May 2012.
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