Fossa fossana

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:

Fossa fossana

Species Authority:

(P.L.S. Müller, 1776)

Common Name/s:

English	–	Fanaloka, Malagasy Civet, Striped Civet
French	–	Civette Fossane, Civette Malgache, Fossana
Spanish	–	Cibeta De Madagascar

Synonym/s:

Viverra fossa Schreber, 1777

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)

Contributor/s:

Justification:
This species has been found to be locally common in some areas, and is widely dispersed from north to south through eastern Madagascar forests. However, over the last 10 years, the population reduction of this species based on the combined impacts of habitat loss (especially given its habitat requirements), widespread hunting and the effects of feral carnivores, is estimated at 20-25%, and the species is therefore listed as Near Threatened. Almost qualifies as threatened under criterion A2cde.

History:

2000	–	Vulnerable
1996	–	Vulnerable
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 the eastern forests and the Sambirano Region in the north-west of Madagascar (Kerridge et al. 2003). It is present as far north as Montagne d'Ambre National Park and as far south as Andohahela National Park in the south-east. Strongholds include the Masoala Peninsula, rainforests at Mananara, Ambatovaky and Zahamena, and the Andohahela forest region. The altitudinal range is sea level to at least 1,600 m, but the species seems much scarcer above 1,000 m.
Countries:	Native: Madagascar
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	This species has been found to be locally common (Kerridge et al. 2003).
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This nocturnal and terrestrial species is found in humid tropical lowland, mid-altitude and littoral forests, and is sometimes associated with streams or marshy areas in these habitats (Kerridge et al. 2003). It seems that this species does not adapt to secondary habitats (Kerridge et al. 2003). During the daytime, animals shelter in hollow trees, under fallen logs, or amongst rocks. The gestation period is around 82 and 89 days (Albignac 1973). Young are born well developed, and sexual maturity is attained at about two years of age.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

This nocturnal and terrestrial species is found in humid tropical lowland, mid-altitude and littoral forests, and is sometimes associated with streams or marshy areas in these habitats (Kerridge et al. 2003). It seems that this species does not adapt to secondary habitats (Kerridge et al. 2003). During the daytime, animals shelter in hollow trees, under fallen logs, or amongst rocks. The gestation period is around 82 and 89 days (Albignac 1973). Young are born well developed, and sexual maturity is attained at about two years of age.

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	It is threatened by deforestation of its habitat through conversion to cultivated land, selective logging and charcoal production. This species is also threatened by hunting, and the taste is most preferred among the native carnivores (Golden 2005). Introduced species including dogs, cats, and the small Indian civet Viverricula indica are competitors, and dogs are also likely predators.

Major Threat(s):

It is threatened by deforestation of its habitat through conversion to cultivated land, selective logging and charcoal production. This species is also threatened by hunting, and the taste is most preferred among the native carnivores (Golden 2005). Introduced species including dogs, cats, and the small Indian civet Viverricula indica are competitors, and dogs are also likely predators.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	It is listed on Appendix II of CITES. This species is present in a number of protected areas, including Montagne d’Ambre, Masoala, Marojejy, Zahamena, Ranomafana and Andohahela National Parks, and Ankarana Special Reserve.

Conservation Actions:

It is listed on Appendix II of CITES. This species is present in a number of protected areas, including Montagne d’Ambre, Masoala, Marojejy, Zahamena, Ranomafana and Andohahela National Parks, and Ankarana Special Reserve.

Citation:	Hawkins, A.F.A. 2008. Fossa fossana. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 23 May 2013.
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