Viverridae Author Don E. Wilson Author Russell A. Mittermeier text 2009 2009-01-31 Lynx Edicions Barcelona Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 1 Carnivores 174 232 book chapter 3398 10.5281/zenodo.5714564 1b851f83-a5d0-4e03-a1ba-95c846dd3a31 978-84-96553-49-1 5714564 15. Johnston's Genet Genetta johnstoni French: Genette de Johnston / German: Liberia-Genette / Spanish: Gineta de Nimba Taxonomy. Genetta johnston Pocock, 1908 , Liberia . Monotypic. Distribution. Ghana , Guinea , Ivory Coast , Liberia , and Sierra Leone . Descriptive notes. Head-body 47-51. 4 cm , tail 46.2-49. 5 cm , hindfoot 8.5-9 cm, ear 4-5—4-6 cm; weight 2.2-2.6 kg. A slender genet with a thick soft coat and elongated face. Both sexes are similar in color and size. The coat color ranges from yellowish-ocher to yellowish-gray; the ventral pelage varies from yellowish-gray to buff. The dark, continuous mid-dorsal line strongly contrasts with the surrounding blackish to rufous-brown spots. The pattern of nuchal stripes varies. A dorsal crest is sometimes apparent. The large dorsal spots are generally aligned in three rows. The first two rows often coalesce into complete or partial lines, especially at the rump. The spots on the flank, thigh and shoulder, are smaller and darker. The face has a dark mask and there are supraand sub-ocular white spots. The eyes are large, with vertical pupils, and the ears are elongated. The tail has eight to nine pale rings alternating with dark rings; the dark rings broaden from the proximal part of the tail. The width of the pale rings relative to the dark rings in the middle of the tail is less than 20%; the tip ofthe tail is pale. The hindlimbs and forelimbs are dark brown. The perineal gland is 30-40 mm long and 15-20 mm wide, with a tripartite structure. There is one pair of teats. In sub-adults, the coat is densely spotted and the pattern is irregular, but the mid-dorsal line is clearly marked. The skull is elongated and narrow, with a flattened mandible and reduced jugal teeth. The posterior extension of the frontal bones is large, almost completely overlapping the dorsal region of the inter-orbital constriction. The auditory bulla has a continuous curve line on the external side. The ratio between the inter-orbital constriction and frontal width is 1-00 £ 0-12. Dental formula: 13/3,C1/1,P 4/4, M 2/2 = 40. Habitat. Rainforest. Frequently observed in wetland areas, including swamp forest and riverine habitat. One specimen was collected from an area of moist woodlands and savannah in Guinea . Food and Feeding. Dentition suggests an insectivorous diet. Activity patterns. Radio-tracking data indicates it is mainly nocturnal. During the day, it sleeps in tree holes or on large branches in the canopy. Over a period of one month, a radio-collared female returned before dawn each day to sleep in the canopy of the same tree (approximately 20 m high); a collared male was found sleeping in different trees each day over a period of several weeks. Movements, Home range and Social organization. Mainly solitary, but pairs are occasionally seen. Breeding. In the Ivory Coast , an adult female showed signs of having recently finished lactation in late July. Juvenile genets were observed in early June; however, species identity was uncertain. Unknown if breeding is seasonal. The number of young has not been recorded, but the presence of only two teats suggests that a litter size greater than two is unlikely. Status and Conservation. Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List. Considered a rare species with a restricted range. Habitat loss could be a serious threat: intensive deforestation resulting from agriculture, logging and mining pressures, has reduced the once continuous Upper Guinean forest zone to a few remaining blocks of intact forest. Hunting may also be affecting populations, even within protected areas; they are taken by commercial and local hunters for meat and skins. Field surveys and ecological studies are needed to determineits distribution, to monitor populations, and to implement conservation measures. Bibliography. Dunham & Gaubert (In press), Gaubert, Taylor & Veron (2005), Gaubert, Tranier et al. (2004), Gaubert, Veron, Colyn et al. (2002), Gaubert, Veron & Tranier (2002), Gaubert, Volobouev et al. (2004), Kuhn (1960), Lamotte & Tranier (1983), Rosevear (1974), Wozencraft (2005).