Viverridae

Borneo harbours more endemic carnivores than does any other island in the world except Madagascar, and almost half of the Bornean carnivore species have been classified by The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as globally threatened. Here, a systematic conservation planning framework highlighted key carnivore landscapes, conservation research and intervention priorities, and gaps in current knowledge of Bornean carnivore ecology. All single-species predictive habitat suitability index (HSI) models presented in this issue (20 species, comprising all carnivores on Borneo except otters [Lutrinae] and sun bear Helarctos malayanus) were standardised by converting HSI values into binary maps, and combined to derive species richness maps to discuss and delineate areas of conservation priority. The highest predicted carnivore species richness (defined here as the sum of the binary threshold maps), corresponds to interior lowland, upland and lower montane forest, whereas areas with lowest predicted species richness correspond to coastal lowlands already largely converted to oil palm plantations. The 12 proposed areas of conservation importance for carnivores focus on large landscapes and connectivity between subunits, many centred around the tri-national Heart of Borneo initiative, with additional areas for wetland/lowland species. A large proportion of these proposed conservation landscapes are being exploited for commercial purposes (e.g., logging concessions) and would, therefore, improve in conservation value if their management became more sustainable. The most important research priorities for Bornean carnivores are species resilience to altered and fragmented landscapes; under-surveyed regions; and the effects and relative intensity of hunting across the island. The most pressing conservation interventions include conservation research on the most threatened Bornean carnivores: the Bornean ferret badger Melogale everetti and Hose's civet Diplogale hosei (highland endemics), and the flat-headed cat Prionailurus planiceps and otter civet Cynogale bennettii (wetland specialists). Targeted conservation research and integration of research findings into decision-making, maintaining and restoring connectivity, raising awareness and improving enforcement and governance are also important conservation interventions. Although more resources are needed for conservation and research, the joint effort of scientists, conservationists and government authorities in the identification of key carnivore landscapes, research priorities and conservation issues which this study presents raises hope that more targeted conservation efforts for Bornean carnivores will follow in the future.

Abstrak (Bahasa Indonesia). Wilayah Borneo memiliki paling banyak karnivora endemik dibandingkan pulau lainnya di seluruh dunia, selain Madagaskar. Hampir setengah dari keseluruhan jenis karnivora yang ada di Borneo masuk dalam kategori terancam pada daftar IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Disini, suatu kerangka perencanaan konservasi yang sistimatis menyoroti kawasan kunci karnivora, prioritas penelitian dan intervensi aspek konservasi, serta kesenjangan dari pengetahuan mengenai ekologi karnivora di Borneo. Semua model pendugaan Index Kesesuaian Habitat (IKH) pada setiap spesies yang disajikan dalam tulisan ini (20 spesies, terdiri atas semua spesies karnivora yang ada di Borneo terkecuali berang-berang [Lutrinae] dan Beruang Madu Helarctos malayanus) distandardisasi dengan mengkonversi nilai IKH ke dalam pemetaan binari, dan digabung untuk memperoleh peta kekayaan spesies guna dibahas dan ditetapkan wilayah prioritasnya. Nilai pendugaan kekayaan spesies karnivora tertinggi (sebagai jumlah dari peta ambang binari), adalah selaras dengan bentuk hutan pedalaman dataran rendah, hutan dataran tinggi dan hutan pegunungan dataran rendah, sedangkan wilayah dengan pendugaan kekayaan spesies karnivora terendah adalah selaras dengan bentuk pantai dataran rendah yang telah berubah sepenuhnya menjadi perkebunan kelapa sawit. Dua belas wilayah dicanangkan sebagai wilayah penting untuk dikonservasi bagi karnivora, terpusat pada bentang alam yang luas dan saling berhubungan diantara sub-unit, kebanyakan berpusat di sekitar area Heart of Borneo di tiga negara, dengan wilayah tambahan untuk spesies dataran rendah atau lahan basah. Sebagain besar dari wilayah yang dicanangkan ini merupakan wilayah yang telah banyak dieksploatasi untuk tujuan komersil (konsesi hutan) dan dapat meningkatkan nilai konservasi manakala pengelolaannya bersifat berkelanjutan. Prioritas terpenting untuk penelitian karnivora Borneo adalah kesanggupan spesies beradaptasi pada wilayah yang terfragmentasi; wilayah-wilayah dalam area survey, serta pengaruh dari perburuan di semua wilayah pulau. Intervensi konservasi terpenting mencakup penelitian konservasi pada karnivora Borneo yang paling terancam: Biul Slentek Melogale everetti dan Musang Gunung Diplogale hosei (endemik dataran tinggi), serta Kucing Tandang Prionailurus planiceps dan Musang Air Cynogale bennettii (spesialis lahan basah). Penelitian wilayah konservasi terpilih dan integrasi temuan hasil penelitian kedalam penetapan kebijakan, menjaga dan memperbaiki RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY Supplement

Hose's civet Diplogale hosei is one of the world's least known carnivores and is endemic to Borneo. We collected 43 records of which only 20 (Balanced Model) or 24 (Spatial Filtering Model) were used to model potential habitat suitability. We predicted habitat suitable for Hose's civet to be largely restricted to the central spine of the mountainous interior, corresponding to much of the northern half of the 'Heart of Borneo' complex. Although protected areas are scattered throughout this complex, many are poorly managed, facing threats from illegal logging and mining, poaching and encroachment. The surrounding matrix of logging concessions face conversion to monoculture plantations, in which there is no evidence that the species can persist. To ensure the conservation of the species, further research is urgently required, both in-depth ecological studies and basic inventory work using camera-traps across Borneo. More intensive surveys in all habitats are needed to improve current models so they can inform conservation planning more effectively. Pending sufficient information, sensible precautionary measures need to be taken such as increased enforcement including patrolling activities in key protected areas, encouraging sustainable forestry in the surrounding logging concessions and maintaining forested corridors to support movement and gene flow between sub-populations.

Abstrak (Bahasa Indonesia). Musang Gunung Diplogale hosei merupakan salah satu karnivora di dunia yang belum banyak dipahami dan endemik di Borneo. Kami telah mengumpulkan 43 catatan dimana hanya 20 (Model Penyeimbang) atau 24 (Model Spasial Tersaring) yang digunakan untuk pemodelan kesesuian habitat yang potensial. Kami memperkirakan kesesuaian habitat untuk Musang Gunung sebagian besar berada terbatas di bagian tengah pedalaman pegunungan, mencakup bahagian utara wilayah "Heart of Borneo". Walaupun kawasan perlindungan cukup tersebar di wilayah tersebut, banyak pengelolaaannya yang kurang memadai, menghadapi ancaman dari pembalakan dan penambangan liar, perburuan gelap dan penyerobotan lahan. Wilayah-wilayah di kawasan konsesi pengusahaan hutan menghadapi ancaman dari konversi penanaman secara monokultur, dimana belum ada bukti jenis musang ini mampu bertahan hidup. Guna memastikan konservasi jenis musang ini, penelitian lebih lanjut sangat diperlukan, baik mengenai ekologi secara mendalam maupun pemantauan dasar menggunakan perangkap kamera di wilayah Borneo. Survey yang lebih intensif pada semua bentuk habitat juga diperlukan guna meningkatkan pemodelan yang telah ada, sehingga dapat memberikan informasi yang lebih baik berkaitan dengan perencanaan konservasi. Dalam keterbatasan informasi yang ada, langkah-langkah lebih lanjut diperlukan seperti penegakan hukum dan aktifitas patroli pada wilayah perlindungan utama, menyarankan pemanfaatan hutan secara berkelanjutan disekitaran wilayah konsesi pengusahaan hutan dan menjaga koridor berhutan guna mendukung pergerakan dan laju genetik diantara sub-populasi. Abstrak (Bahasa Malaysia). Musang Hitam Pudar Diplogale hosei adalah antara mammalia karnivora yang paling tidak diketahui di dunia. Ianya endemik (hanya didapati) di Borneo. Kami berkumpul 43 rekod, di mana hanya 20 (Model Seimbang) atau 24 (Model yang ditapis secara spasial) rekod digunakan untuk membina model kesesuaian habitat. Dengan menggunakan model ini, kami meramalkan habitat sesuai untuk Musang Hitam Pudar tertumpu kepada bahagain pertengahan Borneo yang berbukit-bukau, bersamaan dengan bahagian utara kompleks "Heart of Borneo". Walaupun terdapat beberapa kawasan terlindung yang bertaburan di dalam kompleks ini, kebanyakan kawasan terlindung ini tidak diurus dengan cekap; malah kebanyakannya menghadapi masalah pembalakan, penerokaan, pemburuan dan perlombongan secara haram. Kawasan di sekeliling kompleks ini terdiri daripada konsesi pembalakan, dan kebanyakan konsesi ini mungkin akan ditukar kepada kawasan perladangan di mana tiada bukti Musang Hitam Pudar boleh hidup. Untuk memastikan pemuliharaan spesis ini, lebih banyak kajian secara mendalam dan pemantauan dengan menggunakan perangkap kamera, perlu dilakukan di seluruh Borneo. Kajian yang mendalam perlu dilakukan di semua jenis habitat untuk memperbaiki model yang sedia ada supaya dapat memberi maklumat yang lebih manfaat kepada rancangan pemuliharaan spesis ini. Sehingga lebih banyak maklumat didapati, tindakan yang sewajarnya perlu diambil seperti penguatkuasaan undang-undang hidupan liar dan meningkatkan rondaan di sekitar kawasan-kawasan terlindung, serta menggalakkan amalan perhutanan yang berkekalan (sustainable) di konsesi-konsesi balak di sekeliling.

The binturong Arctictis binturong is a medium-sized carnivore in the civet family Viverridae with a wide geographic distribution in Southeast Asia and adjacent parts of South Asia and China. Habitat loss and hunting have led to its classification as Vulnerable by The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The binturong is thought to be forest dependent, although it has been recorded in logged forest and its exact habitat requirements remain unclear. We analysed 47 (Balanced Model) or 83 (Spatial Filtering Model) location records, respectively, to predict habitat suitability across Borneo. The results of the model predict a large area of Borneo to be suitable habitat although the extreme lowlands and much of southern Borneo (South Kalimantan) are predicted to be less suitable or non-sampled, respectively. There is high overlap between protected areas and areas of predicted high suitability. The interior of Borneo, in particular North Kalimantan, is predicted to be highly suitable. A greater survey effort for the binturong in the hitherto less studied Brunei Darussalam and South Kalimantan is warranted.

Abstrak (Bahasa Indonesia). Binturong Arctictis binturong merupakan karnivora berukuran sedang dari keluarga musang dengan persebaran geografisnya yang luas, meliputi Asia Tenggara dan sebagian Asia Selatan dan China. Hilangnya habitat serta perburuan menjadikan satwa ini dikategorikan Rentan dalam daftar IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Binturong diperkirakan sebagai satwa yang tergantung pada lingkungan hutan, walau pernah tercatat berada pada wilayah hutan hasil tebangan, namun kebutuhan habitat sebenarnya belum jelas. Kami menganalisa 47 (Model Penyeimbang) atau 83 (Model Spasial Tersaring) catatan keberadaan binturong guna memperkirakan kesesuaian habitat di wilayah Borneo. Hasil dari pemodelan menunjukkan sebagian besar wilayah Borneo diperkirakan merupakan habitat yang sesuai, walau wilayah dataran rendah dan sebagain besar Borneo bagian selatan (Kalimantan Selatan) tampaknya kurang sesuai bahkan belum ada data. Banyak kawasan yang tumpang tindih diantara wilayah perlindungan dengan wilayah yang diperkirakan memiliki kesesuaian tinggi. Bagian pedalaman Borneo, khususnya Kalimantan Utara, diperkirakan merupakan wilayah yang sangat sesuai. Suatu survey yang lebih mendalam pada wilayah yang hingga kini kurang diperhatikan, Brunei Darussalam dan Kalimantan Selatan, diperlukan guna mengkaji status binturong di wilayah tersebut. Abstrak (Bahasa Malaysia). Binturong Artictis binturong adalah karnivora dari keluarga musang yang bersaiz sederhana. Ia mempunyai taburan geografi yang luas meliputi Asia Selatan dan Asia Tenggara. Kehilangan habitat dan pemburuan telah menyebabkan ia disenarai sebagai Terancam di dalam Senarai Merah Spesis Terancam IUCN (IUCN Red List of Threatened Species). Binturong dianggap sebagai spesis yang bergantung kepada hutan; walaupun ia pernah direkodkan di kawasan yang sudah dibalak tetapi keperluan habitatnya yang sebenar masih lagi kurang diketahui. Kami menganalisis 47 rekod lokasi (model seimbang) dan 83 rekod lokasi (model yang ditapis secara spasial) untuk meramal kesesuaian habitat binturong di seluruh Borneo. Keputusan pemodelan meramalkan sebahagian besar Borneo sebagai habitat yang sesuai, namun kawasan yang sangat rendah dan sebahagian selatan Borneo (Kalimantan Selatan) diramal sebagai kurang sesuai. Terdapat pertindihan yang tinggi antara kawasan perlindungan dan kawasan yang diramal mempunyai kesesuaian yang tinggi. Bahagian pedalaman Borneo diramal sangat sesuai, terutamanya di Kalimantan Utara. Penyelidikan yang lebih lanjut di kawasan yang kurang dibuat kajian seperti di Brunei Darussalam dan Kalimantan Selatan diperlukan untuk menilai status binturong di kawasan tersebut.

The Pleistocene endemic fauna of Cyprus consists mainly of dwarf hippos and elephants, adapted to the insular environment. Among the rare elements of this endemic fauna is a small carnivore, the viverrid Genetta plesictoides, poorly known from scanty material that comes from two localities. Recent excavations in a rockshelter site at the area of Aghia Napa yielded—apart from a rich hippo sample—new skeletal remains (a partial skull and a tibia) of the cypriot genet. The dental morphology shows adaptations towards a ...

The Pleistocene endemic fauna of Cyprus consists mainly of dwarf hippos and elephants, adapted to the insular environment. Among the rare elements of this endemic fauna is a small carnivore, the viverrid Genetta plesictoides, poorly known from scanty material that comes from two localities. Recent excavations in a rockshelter site at the area of Aghia Napa yielded —apart from a rich hippo sample— new skeletal remains (a partial skull and a tibia) of the cypriot genet. The dental morphology shows adaptations towards a more carnivorous diet in relation to the extant Genetta genetta.

The first camera-trapping study in the Maliau Basin Conservation Area of Malaysian Borneo, an area containing some of the last intact
rainforest in Southeast Asia, detected 13 small mammalian carnivore species over 2,915 camera-trap-nights, including three newly recorded
for the area: Banded Linsang Prionodon linsang, Masked Palm Civet Paguma larvata and Hose’s Civet Diplogale hosei. Hose’s
Civet, endemic to Borneo, is one of the least known carnivore species in Southeast Asia and possibly the world. Maliau is only the fifth
site where the species has been confirmed in Sabah. Camera-traps—deployed in three habitats: primary (unlogged) dipterocarp forest,
logged dipterocarp forest and tropical heath (kerangas) forest—detected more small carnivore species in primary dipterocarp forest than
in logged forest, despite similar sampling effort; data were too few to allow the estimation of meaningful habitat-specific detection probabilities.
The Malay Civet Viverra tangalunga was the small carnivore species detected most often overall, followed by Leopard Cat
Prionailurus bengalensis and Banded Palm Civet Hemigalus derbyanus. We did not detect Malay Civet or Leopard Cat in logged forest,
yet other studies suggest that they are common in disturbed areas. The paucity of records (only one) of the generally abundant Common
Palm Civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus is unusual. Ongoing monitoring at this and other sites across Borneo should help elucidate
patterns of small carnivore distribution and richness with respect to natural and anthropogenic variation in forest characteristics.

A dataset of 103 SARS-CoV isolates (101 human patients and 2 palm civets) was investigated on different aspects of genome polymorphism and isolate classification. The number and the distribution of single nucleotide variations (SNVs) and insertions and deletions, with respect to a "profile", were determined and discussed ("profile" being a sequence containing the most represented letter per position). Distribution of substitution categories per codon positions, as well as synonymous and non-synonymous substitutions in coding regions of annotated isolates, was determined, along with amino acid (a.a.) property changes. Similar analysis was performed for the spike (S) protein in all the isolates (55 of them being predicted for the first time). The ratio Ka/Ks confirmed that the S gene was subjected to the Darwinian selection during virus transmission from animals to humans. Isolates from the dataset were classified according to genome polymorphism and genotypes. Gen...

Knowledge of the distribution and habitat preferences of a species is of paramount importance when assessing its conservation status. We used accurately recorded occurrence records and ecological niche modelling to predict the distribution of two threatened and poorly known small carnivore species that occur in Southeast Asia, the banded civet (Hemigalus derbyanus) and Hose’s civet (Diplogale hosei), and analysed their spatial niche differentiation for habitat and elevation. We then identified possible anthropogenic threats, and used our modelling predictions to recommend surveying priorities. The predicted distribution of the banded civet was principally in lowland evergreen forest in southern Myanmar/Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo and three Mentawai Islands (Siberut, Sipora and South Pagai), and for Hose’s civet in evergreen forest across the higher elevation regions of Borneo. Our niche analyses suggested that there is a tendency for these two species to separate spatially along an elevation gradient: the banded civet is mainly found in lowland areas, whereas Hose’s civet primarily occurs at higher elevations. Our study strongly indicated that these two viverrids are forest-dependent species that may be threatened by forest loss, degradation and fragmentation. Field surveys should be prioritised in areas where each species is predicted to occur and no records currently exist.

Microbial populations in the gastrointestinal tract contribute to host health and nutrition. Although gut microbial ecology is well studied in livestock and domestic animals, little is known of the endogenous populations inhabiting primates or carnivora. We characterized microbial populations in fecal cultures from gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), common chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), Hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas) and binturongs (Arctictis binturong) to compare the microbiomes associated with different gastrointestinal morphologies and different omnivorous feeding strategies. Each species was fed a distinct standardized diet for 2 weeks prior to fecal collection. All diets were formulated to reflect the species' feeding strategies in situ. Fresh fecal samples were pooled within species and used to inoculate in vitro batch cultures. Acetate, propionate, butyrate and valerate were measured after 24 h of incubation. Eubacterial DNA was extracted from individual fecal sampl...

The banded civet Hemigalus derbyanus is a small, little-known civet with a geographical range comprising Indonesia (Kalimantan, Sumatra and some associated islands), Malaysia, Brunei, peninsular Myanmar and peninsular Thailand. Habitat loss and degradation are the main threats to the species leading to its classification as globally Vulnerable by The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The banded civet uses degraded habitat to some extent, but its exact ecological requirements and the extent of its dependence on primary forest are unknown. We analysed 65 (Balanced Model) and 104 (Spatial Filtering Model) location records of the banded civet to predict habitat suitability on Borneo. The resulting model predicted the majority of Borneo to be suitable habitat; although in general, the low-lying coastal areas, swamp forests and high-altitude areas were predicted to be unsuitable. Given this large area of predicted suitable habitat and the high overlap of habitat suitability and protected areas, the results from the distribution modelling do not suggest any urgent special conservation measures for the banded civet beyond maintenance of the current remaining forested habitat and protected areas. However protection and, in some cases, ecological rehabilitation of habitat corridors will also be important to ensure connectivity among populations in increasingly isolated protected areas.

Abstrak (Bahasa Indonesia). Musang Belang Hemigalus derbyanus merupakan kelompok musang kecil yang belum banyak dipahami. Persebaran geografisnya mencakup Indonesia (Kalimantan dan Suamtera), Malaysia, Brunei, Semenanjung Myanmar dan Semenanjung Thailand. Hilangnya habitat dan degradasi merupakan ancaman utama yang menyebabkan jenis ini diklasifikasikan Rentan menurut IUCN global Red List of Threatened Species. Pada tingkat tertentu musang ini akan memanfaatkan habitat yang terdegradasi, namun kebutuhan ekologisnya secara pasti serta tingkat ketergantungan terhadap hutan primer belum diketahui. Kami menganalisa 65 (Model Penyeimbang) dan 104 (Model Spasial Tersaring) catatan lokasi kehadiran Musang Belang guna memperkirakan kesesuaian habitat di Borneo. Hasil perkiraan permodelan menunjukkan mayoritas wilayah Borneo merupakan habitat yang sesuai, walaupun secara umum wilayah pesisir daerah rendah, hutan rawa dan wilayah dengan ketinggian tinggi diperkirakan tidak sesuai. Demikian luasnya wilayah yang diperkirakan sebagai habitat yang sesuai, serta tingginya tingkat tumpang tindih kesesuaian habitat dengan wilayah perlindungan, hasil dari pemodelan persebaran tidak merekomendasikan adanya tolak ukur konservasi yang khusus untuk musang ini, selain dari mempertahankan habitat berhutan yang tersisa dan wilayah perlindungan. Walau demikian, kami memahami bahwa perlindungan, dan dalam hal tertentu, rehabilitasi ekologi dari berbagai koridor habitat juga penting guna memastikan meningkatnya konektivitas diantara berbagai populasi pada wilayah perlindungan yang terisolasi. Abstrak (Bahasa Malaysia). Musang Belang Hemigalus derbyanus adalah musang berbadan kecil yang jarang diketahui, yang mempunyai jangkauan geografi di Indonesia (Kalimantan dan Sumatera), Malaysia, Brunei, Semenanjung Myanmar dan Semenanjung Negara Thai. Kehilangan dan kemusnahan hutan adalah ancaman-ancaman utama spesis ini yang mengakibatkannya diklasifikasikan sebagai Lemah Ancaman (Vulnerable) dalam Senarai Data Merah Spesis Terancam IUCN (IUCN Red List of Threatened Species). Musang Belang mungkin menggunakan habitat yang didegradasi, tetapi keperluan ekologi sebenar dan kebergantungan kepada hutan primer tidak diketahui. Kami menganalisakan 65 (model seimbang) dan 104 (Model yang ditapis secara spasial) rekod lokasi Musang Belang untuk membuat ramalan kesesuaian habitat di Borneo. Model yang dihasilkan meramalkan bahawa kebanyakan Borneo adalah habitat yang sesuai, walaupun secara amnya, kawasan tanah rendah persisiran pantai, hutan bencah and kawasan tanah tinggi diramalkan tidak sesuai. Disebabkan oleh ramalan kawasan habitat sesuai yang besar dan pertindihan yang besar dengan kawasan terlinding, keputusan dari model penyebaran ini tidak mengutarakan sebarang tindakan pemuliharaan yang khusus untuk Musang Belang melainkan penyelenggaraan kawasan terlindung dan kawasan hutan yang masih tinggal. Akan tetapi, kami mengenalpasti bahawa perlindungan dan pemuliharaan ekologi kawasan koridor juga penting di kawasan terlindung yang semakin terpencil untuk memastikan kesinambungan wujud di antara populasi.

In the course of a study on the diet of two Portuguese carnivores, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes Linnaeus) and the common genet (Genetta genetta Linnaeus), 276 ticks were found inside the 940 scats analyzed. Prevalence in samples was 7.6% for both predators. Association of ticks with prey identified on scats, resulted in new data for Portugal on host-tick interactions [e.g. Ixodes acuminatus (Neumann, 1901) and wood mouse] and tick distribution pattern. These unusual findings, besides shedding some light on the host-tick Portuguese assemblage, revealed scats as a new source of biological information.

The Viverridae (Mammalia, Carnivora), one of the least studied groups of carnivorans, include two subfamilies of Asian palm civets: Hemigalinae and Paradoxurinae. The relationships between and within these two subfamilies have never been thoroughly tested using an extensive molecular sample set. In this study, we gathered sequences of four genes (two mitochondrial: Cytochrome b and ND2 and two nuclear: β-fibrinogen intron 7 and IRBP exon 1) for eight of the eleven extant species representing these two subfamilies. The results showed that: (1) the Asian palm civets (Hemigalinae and Paradoxurinae) have a single origin and form the sister-group of the (Genettinae + Viverrinae) clade, (2) the Hemigalinae (including the otter civet Cynogale bennettii) are monophyletic, (3) the Paradoxurinae are monophyletic and (4) the small-toothed palm civet (Arctogalidia trivirgata) is an early offshoot within the Paradoxurinae. Using a relaxed molecular clock analysis, the differentiation of the (Hemigalinae + Paradoxurinae) was inferred to occur in the Late Oligocene/Early Miocene.

The Pleistocene endemic fauna of Cyprus consists mainly of dwarf hippos and elephants, adapted to the insular environment. Among the rare elements of this endemic fauna is a small carnivore, the viverrid Genetta plesictoides, poorly known from scanty material that comes from two localities. Recent excavations in a rockshelter site at the area of Aghia Napa yielded—apart from a rich hippo sample—new skeletal remains (a partial skull and a tibia) of the cypriot genet. The dental morphology shows adaptations towards a ...

Massive numbers of palm civets were culled to remove sources for the reemergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Guangdong Province, China, in January 2004, following SARS coronavirus detection in market animals. The virus was identified in all 91 palm ...

The common palm civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus is a small carnivore occurring in a broad array of habitats on Borneo, including logged and unlogged forest, cultivated land, and the outskirts of villages and towns. It is assigned incomplete legal protection in Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam. In addition, the recent, rapidly expanding increase in capture for use in civet coffee production, especially in Indonesia, might adversely affect its population. We used 67 (Balanced Model) and 113 (Spatial Filtering Model) occurrence records within a MaxEnt niche distribution modelling approach to predict its current possible distribution on Borneo. A large proportion of Borneo is predicted to be suitable habitat, including human-modified areas such as plantations. Predicted suitability was lower in coastal regions. Despite its high adaptability to habitat change, conservation actions for this species might be needed because it is widely caught for the production of civet coffee and killed as a pest or for meat. Further research is needed to investigate how these legal and illegal activities affect the common palm civet populations.

Abstrak (Bahasa Indonesia). Musang Luwak Paradoxurus hermaphroditus adalah karnivora kecil dengan sebaran yang luas di Asia juga memiliki habitat yang luas di Borneo, mulai dari hutan primer, hutan bekas tebangan, perkebunan, lahan pertanian dan bahkan di pemukiman. Jenis ini tidak dilindungi di Indonesia dan Brunei Darussalam. Bahkan akhir-akhir ini penangkapan jenis ini di alam meningkat yang digunakan untuk produksi kopi luwak, terutama di Indonesia, yang akan berpengaruh terhadap jumlah populasinya. Kami membuat Pemodelan Sebaran Niche MaxEnt dengan menggunakan 67 (Model Penyeimbang) dan 113 (Model Spasial Tersaring) dari catatan kehadiran jenis ini untuk memprediksi sebarannya saat ini di Borneo. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa sebagian besar kawasan di Borneo dianggap habitat yang sesuai untuk Musang Luwak, termasuk daerah-daerah yang telah diubah menjadi peruntukkan lain, seperti kawasan perkebunan. Pengecualian untuk kawasan pesisir yang diprediksi sebagai kawasan yang kurang sesuai untuk habitat Musang Luwak. Hasil ini juga menunjukkan bahwa ancaman terhadap konservasinya rendah. Namun, bukan berarti bahwa aksi konservasi untuk jenis ini tidak diperlukan karena diketahui secara luas bahwa Musang Luwak ditangkap dan gunakan untuk produksi kopi luwak, dibunuh karena dianggap sebagai pemangsa unggas dan dibunuh untuk dimakan. Penelitian lebih lanjut diperlukan untuk mengetahui pengaruh aktivitas manusia baik legal maupun illegal terhadap populasi Musang Luwak. Abstrak (Bahasa Malaysia). Musang Pulut/ Musang Luwak Paradoxurus hermaphroditus adalah seekor karnivora kecil yang berada di pelbagai habitat termasuk hutan yang sudah dibalak dan yang belum dibalak, perladangan, dan kawasan pinggir kampung, di Borneo. Spesis ini tidak terlindung sepenuhnya di Indonesia dan Brunei Darussalam. Namun, peningkatan kejadian pemburuan haram baru-baru ini untuk industri kopi musang (kopi luwak), terutamanya di Indonesia, mungkin ada kesan buruk terhadap populasinya. Di sini, kami menggunakan 67 (Model Seimbang) dan 113 (Model yang ditapis secara spasial) rekod penemuan spesis ini dalam pendekatan model penyebaran (distribusi) ceruk (niche) MaxEnt untuk meramalkan distribusi spesis ini di seluruh Borneo. Model kami meramalkan sebahagian besar Borneo terdiri daripada habitat yang sesuai bagi Musang Luwak, termasuk kawasan yang diubahsuaikan oleh manusia seperti perladangan, dan ini menunjukkan ancaman pemuliharaan peringkat rendah terhadap spesis ini. Namun demikian, keputusan model kami tidak bererti tiada keperluan untuk mempertimbangkan tindakan pemuliharaan bagi spesis ini kerana pemburuannya berleluasa untuk memenuhi keperluan industri kopi luwak dan sebagai haiwan perosak (pest) serta untuk dagingnya. Kajian yang lebih mendalam perlu dilakukan untuk menilai kesan aktiviti pemburuan terhadap populasi Musang Luwak.

Microbial populations in the gastrointestinal tract contribute to host health and nutrition. Although gut microbial ecology is well studied in livestock and domestic animals, little is known of the endogenous populations inhabiting primates or carnivora. We characterized microbial populations in fecal cultures from gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), common chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), Hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas) and binturongs (Arctictis binturong) to compare the microbiomes associated with different gastrointestinal morphologies and different omnivorous feeding strategies. Each species was fed a distinct standardized diet for 2 weeks prior to fecal collection. All diets were formulated to reflect the species' feeding strategies in situ. Fresh fecal samples were pooled within species and used to inoculate in vitro batch cultures. Acetate, propionate, butyrate and valerate were measured after 24 h of incubation. Eubacterial DNA was extracted from individual fecal sampl...