DNA analysis based on 29Carnivora species comprising 13 Viverrinae species and three species representingParadoxurus,Paguma andHemigalinae supports the placement ofPrionodon in themonogeneric family Prionodontidae as the sister-group of theFelidae. These investigations also clarified the controversial issue of the boundaries of this subfamily supporting the Viverrinae as being constituted by twomonophyletic groups, namely the terrestrial civetsCivettictis–Viverra–Viverricula andPoiana–Genetta.[7]
Viverrina species have a robust body. There is a deeppouch for secreting in the form of a deep cavity on each side of theanus. The back of the hind feet is hairy except the pad of the toes and themetatarsus.[3] Thedigitigrade feet are adapted for movement on the ground. The cushion-like indistinctly subdividedplantar pad and the pads of digits 2 to 4 are alone applied to the ground. The first digit is small and set well above the plantar pad, and constitutes a practically functionless "dew-claw". Thedental formula is:3.1.4.23.1.4.2.[4]
They have excellent hearing and vision. Their flesh-shearingcarnassial teeth are relatively undeveloped.[23]
Viverrids are amongst the primitive families of theCarnivora, with skeletons very similar to those offossils dating back to theEocene, up to 50 million years ago. They are variable in form, but generally resemble long-nosed cats. Most have retractile or partially retractileclaws, and abaculum.[citation needed]
The Viverrinae range in size from theAfrican linsang with a body length of 33 cm (13 in) and a weight of 650 g (1.43 lb) to theAfrican civet at 84 cm (33 in) and 18 kg (40 lb).[citation needed]
This subfamily is found throughout theOriental region, and is represented in Africa by theAfrican civet (Civettictis civetta).[4] Thecommon genet (Genetta genetta) is considered to have been introduced to Europe and theBalearic islands, and occurs in all of continental Portugal, Spain and most of France.[24]
They are generally solitary andomnivorous, despite their placement in the orderCarnivora.[23]
^abcPocock, R. I. (1939)."Subfamily Viverrinae".The Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma. Vol. Mammalia. – Volume 1. London: Taylor and Francis. pp. 342–376.
^Ellerman, J. R. & Morrison-Scott, T. C. S. (1966)."GenusPrionodon Horsfield 1822".Checklist of Palaearctic and Indian mammals 1758 to 1946 (Second ed.). London: British Museum of Natural History. pp. 284–285.
^abLinnæus, C. (1758)."Viverra Zibetha".Systema naturæ per regna tria naturæ, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I (in Latin) (10 ed.). Holmiæ (Stockholm): Laurentius Salvius. p. 44.
^Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, E. (1803)."La Civette de l'Inde".Catalogue des Mammifères du Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle. Paris: Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle. p. 113.
^Schreber, J. C. D. (1778)."Die CivetteViverra civetta".Die Säugethiere in Abbildungen nach der Natur, mit Beschreibungen. Erlangen: Wolfgang Walther. pp. 418–420.
^Delibes, M. (1999).Genetta genetta. In: A. J. Mitchell-Jones, G. Amori, W. Bogdanowicz, B. Kryštufek, P. J. H. Reijnders, F. Spitzenberger, M. Stubbe, J. B. M. Thissen, V. Vohralík, and J. Zima (eds.)The Atlas of European Mammals. Academic Press, London, UK
