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Striped polecat

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(Redirected from Ictonyx striatus)
"Zorilla" redirects here. Not to be confused with Zorrilla. For the baseball player nicknamed Zorilla, see Ben Zobrist.

Striped polecat
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Mustelidae
Genus: Ictonyx
Species:
I. striatus
Binomial name
Ictonyx striatus
(Perry, 1810)
Subspecies[2]

(many)

Striped polecat range
Synonyms[2]
List
  • Bradypus striatus Perry, 1810
  • Mephitis capensis Smith, 1826
  • Mustela zorilla Fischer, 1829
  • Putorius zorilla Smith, 1834
  • Ictonyx capensis Kaup, 1835
  • Mephitis africana Lichtenstein, 1836
  • Rhabdogale mustelina Wagner, 1841
  • Zorilla striata Layard, 1861
  • Ictonyx limpopoensis Roberts, 1917
  • Ictonyx orangiae Roberts, 1824
  • Ictonyx kalaharicus Roberts, 1832

The striped polecat (Ictonyx striatus), also called the African polecat, zoril, zorille, zorilla, Cape polecat, and African skunk, is a member of the family Mustelidae that resembles a skunk (of the family Mephitidae).[3] The name "zorilla" comes from the Spanish word "zorillo", meaning "skunk", itself a diminutive form of the Spanish "zorro," "fox." It lives predominantly in dry and arid climates, such as the savannahs and open country of Central, Southern, and sub-Saharan Africa, excluding the Congo Basin and the more coastal areas of West Africa.[1][4]

Taxonomy

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Painting of a black furry animal with white stripes running down its back and white markings on its face
Engraving of a striped polecat by Thomas Lord Busby published in the 1810 paper which first described the species, labeled as Bradypus striatus

The oldest scientific description of a striped polecat was published in 1810 by English naturalist George Perry, who described the animal based on an engraving made by English artist Thomas Lord Busby. The individual depicted was seen a few months earlier in London, where the live animal was displayed in a travelling menagerie and claimed to be from South America. Soon after the engraving was made, the menagerie had moved away from London, so Perry was unable to examine the living animal in detail. Based on the engraving, Perry could determine that the species was unknown to science, but was not entirely sure what type of animal it was. He believed it had some similarities to wombats, koalas, bears and weasels, but ultimately described it as a species of three-toed sloth, giving it the scientific name Bradypus striatus and the common name "weasel sloth".[5]

More specimens of striped polecats would be analyzed throughout the 19th Century, with various authors establishing new species names based on them. They have since been found to represent the same species and the taxa erected based on them are thus considered synonymous.[2] British zoologist Andrew Smith wrote a catalog in 1826 of the mammal specimens in the South African Museum. He believed one specimen represented an unknown species of skunk in the genus Mephitis, and gave it the scientific name Mephitis capensis.[6] Later in 1829, German zoologist Johann Baptist Fischer described a species under the name Mustela zorilla based on specimens from Senegal and the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa, recognizing that it belongs in the family Mustelidae.[7] This species was moved to the genus Putorius by Smith in 1834, renaming it as Putorius zorilla.[8] The genus Ictonyx was established by German naturalist Johann Jakob Kaup in 1835 to contain a single species, which was given the name Ictonyx capensis, marking the first time the striped polecat was assigned to a newly established genus rather than one which already existed. Kaup described the species based on specimens from the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa, which is referenced in the specific name.[9] The name Mephitis africana was erected for the striped polecat by German explorer Hinrich Lichtenstein in 1836, who believed like Smith that it is a species of skunk.[10] However, along with Mustela zorilla, this name was synonymized in 1841 with Rhabdogale mustelina, a taxon established by Johann Andreas Wagner that year.[11]

During the early 1900s, the striped polecat was commonly referred to under the scientific name Zorilla striata, with experts such as Édouard Louis Trouessart and William Lutley Sclater using it in their publications.[12][13] This name was first used in 1861 by Edgar Leopold Layard.[14] However, it was pointed out by American zoologist Arthur H. Howell in 1906 that this name is invalid; the specific name striata originates from an 1800 publication by George Shaw but is based on Viverra putorius and thus refers to the eastern spotted skunk, while the generic name Zorilla is preoccupied as it was already used by Lorenz Oken in 1816.[15][16][17] Howell determined that the proper specific name of the animal should capensis, as he thought it was the oldest given to it (by Smith in 1826). He also concluded that its proper generic name should be Ictonyx since the animal doesn't belong in any of the other genera it was formerly placed in and requires its own genus, thus assigning it the binomial name Ictonyx capensis.[15] In 1915, American biologist Ned Hollister realized that the "weasel sloth" described by Perry in 1810 is actually a striped polecat and thus likely originated from Africa rather than South America as formerly claimed. With this knowledge, striatus became the oldest valid specific name assigned to the striped polecat, giving it priority over capensis, and the animal's proper binomial name is therefore Ictonyx striatus.[18]

Physical characteristics

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Striped polecats are about 60–70 cm (24–28 in) in length, including their tails, and 10–15 cm (3.9–5.9 in) tall to the shoulders on average. They weigh from 0.6 to 1.3 kg (1.3 to 2.9 lb), generally, with the males being the larger of the two sexes.[4] Their specific coloring varies by location. Generally they are black on the underside, white on the tail, with stripes running from their heads down their backs and on their cheeks. The legs and feet are black. Their skulls are usually around 56 mm (2.2 in) long, and they have unique face-mask coloring, often including a white spot on their heads, and white ears.[19][20] These masks are thought to serve as warnings to potential predators or other antagonists.[21]

Diet

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Like other mustelids, the striped polecat is a carnivore. It has 34 sharp teeth which are optimal for shearing flesh and grinding meat. Its diet includes various small rodents, snakes, birds, amphibians, and insects.[22] Due to their small stomachs, they must eat often, and have clawed paws that help them dig around in the dirt in pursuit of their next meal.[3][23]

Lifestyle and reproduction

[edit]

The striped polecat is a solitary creature, often only associating with other members of its species in small family groups or for the purpose of breeding. It is nocturnal, hunting mostly at night.[3] During the day, it burrows into the brush or sleeps in the burrows of other animals.[24] Most often, striped polecats are found in habitats with large ungulate populations, because of the lower level of shrubs where these grazers occur.[1][4][25]

After conception, the gestation period for a striped polecat is about 4 weeks. During this time, the mother prepares a nest for her offspring. The newborn polecats are completely vulnerable; they are born blind, deaf, and naked.[26] Around one to five offspring are born per litter in the summer. Up to six can be supported at one time, if food is available, because the mother has six teats.[27] The mother protects her young until they are able to survive on their own.[24]

Defense mechanisms

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The striped polecat is an aggressive and very territorial animal. It marks its territory with its feces and through an anal spray.[28] The spray serves as a defense against predators, in a similar manner to skunks. The spray, released by anal stink glands, temporarily blinds their adversaries and irritates the mucous membranes, resulting in an intense burning sensation.[29] Before spraying the opponent with this noxious fluid, the striped polecat often takes a deimatic (threat) stance with its back arched, rear end facing the opponent, and tail straight up in the air.[24]

Communication

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Striped polecats have been known to communicate with each other using myriad verbal signals and calls. Growls act as a warning to possible predators, competitors, or other enemies to back off. High-pitched screams have been observed as signifying situations of high aggression or accompanying the spraying of anal emissions. An undulating high- to low-pitched scream has been used to convey surrender or submission to an adversary. This call has been noted to accompany the subsequent release of the loser. Conversely, a quieter undulating call has been interpreted as functioning as a friendly salutation. Mating calls are common forms of communication between the sexes. Young polecats often have a specific set of calls and signals, used in adolescence, either signifying distress or joy depending on if the mother is absent or present.[30][31]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Stuart, C.; Stuart, M.; Do Linh San, E. (2015). "Ictonyx striatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T41646A45212491. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T41646A45212491.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Wozencraft, W. C. (2005). "Ictonyx striatus". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 532–628. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  3. ^ a b c Walker, Clive (1996). Signs of the Wild. Cape Town: Struik Publishers. p. 56.
  4. ^ a b c Estes, Richard (1991). The Behavior Guide to African Mammals: Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, Primates. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press. p. 429. ISBN 9780520272972.
  5. ^ Perry, George (1810). Arcana, or, The museum of natural history : containing the most recent discovered objects : embellished with coloured plates, and corresponding descriptions : with extracts relating to animals, and remarks of celebrated travellers; combining a general survey of nature. London: Printed by George Smeeton for James Stratford. pp. 161–162.
  6. ^ Smith, Andrew (1826). A descriptive catalogue of the South African museum. Pt.1 of mammalia. Cape Town: W. Bridekirk. p. 20.
  7. ^ Fischer, Johann Baptist (1829). Synopsis Mammalium (in Latin). Stuttgart: Cotta. pp. 218–219.
  8. ^ Smith, Andrew (1834). "African Zoology". South African Quarterly Journal. 2 (2): 81–96.
  9. ^ Kaup, Johann Jakob (1835). Das Thierreich in seinen Hauptformen systematisch beschrieben. Darmstadt: Diehl. pp. 352–353.
  10. ^ Lichtenstein, Hinrich (1836). "Über die Gattung Mephitis". Abhandlungen der Königlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin: 249–312.
  11. ^ Wagner, Johann Andreas (1841). Die Säugthiere in Abbildungen nach der Natur, mit Beschreibungen. Supplement 2. Erlangen: Expedition des Schreber'schen säugthier- und des Esper'schen Schmetterlingswerkes. p. 219.
  12. ^ Trouessart, E.-L. (1904–1905). Catalogus mammalium tam viventium quam fossilium (Nova ed. (prima completa) ed.). Berolini: Friedländer. p. 191.
  13. ^ Sclater, William Lutley (1900). The mammals of South Africa. London: R.H. Porter. p. 113.
  14. ^ Layard, Edgar Leopold (1861). Catalogue of the specimens in the collection of the South African Museum. Part 1. The Mammalia. Cape Town: Saul Solomon & Co. p. 28.
  15. ^ a b Howell, Arthur H. (1906). "The proper name for the striped muishond from South Africa". Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 19: 46.
  16. ^ Shaw, George (1800). General zoology, or Systematic natural history. London: Printed for G. Kearsley. p. 387.
  17. ^ Oken, Lorenz (1816). Okens Lehrbuch der Naturgeschichte. Leipzig: Bei Carl Heinrich Reclam. pp. Plate XI.
  18. ^ Hollister, Ned (1915). "The specific name of the striped muishond of South Africa". Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 28: 184.
  19. ^ Skinner & Chimimba (2005). The Mammals of the Southern African Subregion. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 504. ISBN 9780521844185.
  20. ^ Hoath, Richard (2009). A Field Guide to the Mammals of Egypt. Egypt: The American University in Cairo Press. p. 84. ISBN 9789774162541.
  21. ^ Newman; Buesching & Wolff (2005). The function of facial masks in midguild carnivores (PDF). Oxford: Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Dept of Zoology. p. 632.
  22. ^ Estes, Richard (1991). The Behavior Guide to African Mammals: Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, Primates. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press. pp. 422&429.
  23. ^ Skinner & Chimimba (2005). The Mammals of the Southern African Subregion. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 504.
  24. ^ a b c Stuart & Stuart (2001). Field Guide to Mammals of Southern Africa. Cape Town: Struik Publishing. p. 132.
  25. ^ Blaum; Acta Oecologica; et al. (22 December 2007). "Shrub encroachment affects mammalian carnivore abundance and species richness in semiarid rangelands". Acta Oecologica. 31 (1): 86–92. Bibcode:2007AcO....31...86B. doi:10.1016/j.actao.2006.10.004.
  26. ^ Estes, Richard (1991). The Behavior Guide to African Mammals: Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, Primates. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press. pp. 424.
  27. ^ Hoath, Richard (2009). A Field Guide to the Mammals of Egypt. Egypt: The American University in Cairo Press. p. 85. ISBN 9789774162541.
  28. ^ Estes, Richard (1991). The Behavior Guide to African Mammals: Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, Primates. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press. pp. 422.
  29. ^ Estes, Richard (1991). The Behavior Guide to African Mammals: Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, Primates. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press. pp. 419.
  30. ^ Estes, Richard (1991). The Behavior Guide to African Mammals: Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, Primates. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press. pp. 431.
  31. ^ Channing & Rowe-Rowe (1 January 1977). "Vocalizations of South African Mustelines". Zeitschrift für Tierpsychologie. 44 (3): 283–293. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0310.1977.tb00996.x. PMID 930442.
  • Larivière, Serge (2002). Ictonyx striatus". Mammalian Species (698):1–5.
  • Nowak, Ronald M. (2005). Walker's Carnivores of the World. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Press. ISBN 0-8018-8032-7
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