Full screen
Carnivora
Id code: amd122Herpestidae
Paracynictis selousi
(de Winton, 1896)
(Eng) Selous' mongoose
(Fre) Mangouste de Selous
Taxonomic notes
No significant taxonomic notes.
IUCN threat category
Not listed.
Available information
Literature available on the Selous' mongoose is very poor, and information on the ecology of the species extremely fragmented. An account of the information available on this species is found in Mills & Hes (1997) and Skinner & Smithers (1990). Notes on its presence in South Africa are found in Gelderblom et al. (1995) and Rowe-Rowe (1978, 1992). Some data on its occurrence are also available for Angola (Crawford-Cabral, 1989). No specific studies on the species’ ecology have been conducted, and what is known is derived from sporadic observation and information associated to the collection of specimens.
Known extent of occurrence
The Selous’ mongoose’s distribution stretches along the Upper Zambesi basin and peripheral areas in Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe (Wilson & Reeder, 1993). The distribution map was acquired from Skinner & Smithers (1990), revised by Dr. H. Van Rompaey (20 May ‘97) and partially updated on the basis of the more recent map in Kingdon (1997) (Fig. 3.3.21.a).
Categorical-discrete (CD) distribution model
The species occurs in areas of open short grass, open scrub and woodland on sandy soils and is also found on cultivated land. Absent from desert, semi-desert and forest (Skinner & Smithers, 1990; Kingdon, 1997).
Based on these environmental preferences, the following scores were assigned (Fig. 3.3.21.b) (3.3.21.a):
|
Score |
|
|
1 |
Savannas. |
|
2 |
Savanna mosaics and croplands. |
|
3 |
Forests, semi-desert and desert vegetation. |
|
suitable |
moderately suitable |
unsuitable |
Total |
||||
|
km2 |
% |
km2 |
% |
km2 |
% |
km2 |
% |
|
1 361 921 |
66 |
633 996 |
31 |
68 069 |
3 |
2 063 986 |
100 |
Tab 3.3.21.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 |
585 |
2 327 |
50 396 |
61.04 |
1.33 |
31.39 |
|
moderately suitable |
1 868 |
339 |
5 393 |
10.17 |
1.31 |
13.54 |
|
Total AO |
23 |
86 743 |
406 666 |
99.95 |
1.39 |
8.57 |
Tab 3.3.21.b: Area of Occupancy fragmentation indexes.
Probabilistic-continuous (PC) distribution model
The output of the probabilistic-continuous (PC) distribution model is shown in Fig. 3.3.21.c.
Validation
|
% of EO in sample areas |
Number of valid plots |
Index of Accordance (%) |
|
9.83 |
34 |
29.41 |
Tab 3.3.21.c: Categorical-discrete (CD) distribution model validation parameters.
Comments and conservation issues
The known EO is restricted to the southern portion of Africa. According to the CD model, it consists in a very articulate mosaic of suitable and moderately suitable areas, forming a relatively continuous AO (see total NP and LPI). Although the very poor performance in the validation process suggests great caution in interpreting results of the CD model, the PC model confirms this pattern and appears to match the southern boundary of the EO better, as this mongoose is apparently absent from the drier Kalahari lowlands. About 16 % of the AO is included in currently protected areas, but the species is not endangered.
|
SUITABILITY CLASS |
inside |
outside |
Total |
|
suitable |
9.98 |
56.01 |
65.98 |
|
moderately suitable |
3.69 |
27.03 |
30.72 |
|
unsuitable |
0.32 |
2.98 |
3.30 |
|
Total |
13.98 |
86.02 |
100 |
Tab 3.3.21.d: 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. (1989). Distributional data and notes on Angolan carnivores (Mammalia: Carnivora). I - Small and median-sized species. Garcia de Orta, Série de Zoologica: Lisboa 14(2), 3-27.
Gelderblom C.M., Bronner G.N., Lombard A.T., Taylor P.J. (1995). Patterns of distribution and current protection status of the Carnivora, Chiroptera and Insectivora in South Africa. In: Anonymous (1995). Vertebrate Conservation in South Africa. Papers presented at the ZSSA symposium, July 1994. S. Afr. J. Zool.: 30(3), 103-114.
Kingdon J. (1997). The Kingdon field guide to African Mammals. Academic Press, London and New York: Natural World.
Mills G., Hes L. (1997). The complete book of Southern African mammals. Struik Publishers.
Rowe-Rowe D.T. (1978). The small carnivores of Natal. Lammergeyer: 25, 1-48.
Rowe-Rowe D.T. (1992). The carnivores of Natal. Natal Parks, Game & Fish Preservation Board, Pietermaritzburg, Natal, R.S.A.
Skinner J.D., Smithers R.H.N. (1990). The mammals of the Southern African subregion. University of Pretoria, Pretoria.
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.