| Ring-tailed vontsira | |
|---|---|
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| Montagne d'Ambre National Park | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Eupleridae |
| Subfamily: | Galidiinae |
| Genus: | Galidia I. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1837 |
| Species: | G. elegans |
| Binomial name | |
| Galidia elegans Saint-Hilaire, 1837 | |
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| Ring-tailed vontsira range | |
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Thering-tailed vontsira (Galidia elegans), locally still known as thering-tailed mongoose, is aeuplerid in the subfamilyGalidiinae, a carnivoran native toMadagascar.[2] It is theonly species in thegenusGalidia.
There is much disagreement about the placement of Madagascar's carnivores, including the ring-tailed vontsira, within thephylogenetic tree. A 2003 study reported evidence that the Malagasy Carnivora evolved from a singleherpestid ancestor.[3]
A monotypic genus,Galidia literally means "littleweasel", being adiminutive form ofgalē (γαλῆ, "weasel" in ancient Greek).[4] Its localcommon name isvontsira mena, 'redvontsira' inMalagasy.[5]
The ring-tailed vontsira is relatively small but is the largest member of the subfamilyGalidiinae. It is usually 32 to 38 cm (12.5 to 15 in) long and weighs only 700 to 900 g (25 to 32 oz). Its body is long and slender, and the rounded head has a pointed snout. The body is a dark red color and the feet are black. As the name implies, its bushy tail is covered with black and red rings and is similar to the red panda.
Ring-tailed vontsira are very agile, and good climbers. They are quite playful and are active during the day. Their habitat consists of humid forests. Their diet is mostly of small mammals, invertebrates, fish, reptiles, birds, eggs, and occasionally fruit.[6]
The population of ring-tailed vontsira decreased by 20% during the period 1989–1999 due to habitat loss.[7] Another problem is competition with thesmall Indian civet (Viverricula indica).[8]
