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Carnivora
Id code: amd105Viverridae
Genetta victoriae
Thomas, 1901
(Eng) Giant genet
(Fre) Genette géante
Taxonomic notes
No significant taxonomic notes.
IUCN threat category
Not listed.
Available information
Very little is known on the ecology of the giant genet, and data on its distribution are also lacking. The species seems to be typical of some forested areas in former Zaire, but the reasons for its patchy distribution within the distributional range are unknown. Notes on its ecology in eastern former Zaire are found in Rahm & Christiaensen (1966). General information on its ecology and distribution is also found in Crawford-Cabral (1980-81), Kingdon (1997) and Stuart & Stuart (1997). Status, threats, and distribution are discussed in Schreiber et al. (1989).
Known extent of occurrence
The giant genet ranges in mountainous regions between the Zaire/Lualaba and Oubangi rivers and the north-eastern former Zaire rift valley (Schreiber et al., 1989; Wilson & Reeder, 1993). There are also unconfirmed records from Uganda, which have not been taken into account in Fig. 3.6.13.a. Its distribution map was obtained from the map in Schreiber et al. (1989), then revised by Dr. H. Van Rompaey (20 May '97), who remarked on the patchyness of its presence within the extent of its geographic range and the doubtfulness of the exact western limits of the EO.
Categorical-discrete (CD) distribution model
This species is patchily distributed in lowland and medium altitude forests (Schreiber et al., 1989; Kingdon, 1971-77).
Based on these environmental preferences, the following scores were assigned (Fig. 3.6.13.b) (Tab. 3.6.13.a):
|
Score |
|
|
1 |
Forests. |
|
2 |
Forest mosaics. |
|
3 |
Savannas; altimontane vegetation. |
|
suitable |
moderately suitable |
unsuitable |
Total |
||||
|
km2 |
% |
km2 |
% |
km2 |
% |
km2 |
% |
|
445 382 |
70 |
100 547 |
16 |
89 143 |
14 |
635 072 |
100 |
Tab 3.6.13.a: Cumulative size (km2) of areas pertaining to each environmental suitability class within the Extent of Occurrence.
|
Number Patches (NP) |
Mean Patch Size (MPS) km2 |
Patch Size SD (PSSD) km2 |
Largest Patch Index (LPI) % |
Mean Shape Index (MSI) |
Area-Weighted Mean Shape Index (AWMSI) |
|
|
suitable |
168 |
2 653 |
31 868 |
75.85 |
1.31 |
9.13 |
|
moderately suitable |
296 |
339 |
3 209 |
8.96 |
1.24 |
5.71 |
|
Total AO |
103 |
5 301 |
52 861 |
98.74 |
1.27 |
8.21 |
Tab 3.6.13.b: Area of Occupancy fragmentation indexes.
Probabilistic-continuous (PC) distribution model
The output of the probabilistic-continuous (PC) distribution model is shown in Fig. 3.6.13.c.
Validation
Although the species’ EO is completely excluded from the sample areas, field work has evidenced 7 plots outside the EO in which the species occurs (5 plots in Cameroon and 2 in Uganda). Of these, 6 were located in suitable areas, and one in an unsuitable area.
Comments and conservation issues
As evidenced in the paragraph "Known extent of occurrence", and confirmed by the field work of this data bank, the EO should be revised both on its eastern (Uganda) and western (Cameroon) limits. The known EO of the species, even though restricted to a small area in northern former Zaire, appears of good quality and only slightly fragmented. Both models confirm this with some minor exceptions in the easternmost part of the range. The species is reported to have a very patchy distribution within its EO (Schreiber et al., 1989). The two models confirm that either there is a lack of distribution data on this species or that some factors other than those considered in this work must affect its distribution. About 5% of the total AO is included in existing protected areas, but the species is apparently not endangered.
|
SUITABILITY CLASS |
inside |
outside |
Total |
|
suitable |
3.33 |
66.80 |
70.13 |
|
moderately suitable |
1.79 |
14.04 |
15.83 |
|
unsuitable |
1.68 |
12.36 |
14.04 |
|
Total |
6.80 |
93.20 |
100.00 |
Tab 3.6.13.c: Percent of environmental suitability classes within EO (as obtained from the categorical-discrete distribution model) inside and outside the protected areas.
References
Crawford-Cabral J. (1980-81). The classification of the genets (Carnivora, Viverridae, genus Genetta). Bolm Soc. port. Cienc. nat.: 20, 97-114.
Kingdon J. (1971-77). East African Mammals. VOL I: primates, hyraces, pangolins, protoungulates, sirenians. VOL IIA: Insectivores and bats. VOL IIB: hares and rodents. VOL IIIA: carnivores. VOL IIB: large mammals. VOL IIIC: bovids. VOL IIID: bovids. Academic Press, London and New York.
Kingdon J. (1997). The Kingdon field guide to African Mammals. Academic Press, London and New York: Natural World.
Rahm U., Christiaensen A. (1966). Les mammiferès de l'Ile Idjwi (Lac Kivu, Congo). Les mammifères de la foret equatoriale de l'est du Congo. Ann. Mus. Roy. Afr. Cent.: n° 149.
Schreiber A., Wirth R., Riffel M., & Van Rompaey H. (1989). Weasels, Civets, Mongooses, and their relatives. An action plan for the conservation of mustelids and viverrids. IUCN/SSC Mustelid and Viverrid Specialist Group.
Stuart C., Stuart T. (1997). Field guide to the larger mammals of Africa. Struik Publishers.
Wilson D.E., Reeder D.M. (Eds) (1993). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Second edition. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C.