Herpestes javanicus Illiger 1811

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Javan Mongoose

Herpestes javanicus

French: Mangouste de Java / German: Kleiner Mungo / Spanish: Meloncillo de Java

Other common names: Small Asian Mongoose

Taxonomy. Ichneumon javanicus Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1818,

Java.

Some authors considered the Javan Mongoose and the Small Indian Mongoose (H. auropunctatus) conspecific. Recent molecular studies suggest that they should be treated as separate species. Three subspecies have been recognized in H. javanicus, but the taxonomy still needs clarification as some populations (notably from southern China) have not been confirmed as belonging to this species or to H. auropunctatus. Information on the Small Indian Mongoose has often been published under the name H. javanicus.

Distribution. Mainland SE Asia, Peninsular Malaysia, and Sumatra. The Javan Mongoose or the Small Indian Mongoose is said to occur on Hong Kong (since the 1980s), and to have been introduced to some Indonesian islands.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 30—41-5 cm, tail 21-31. 5 cm, hindfoot 6-7 cm, ear 1-8— 3-1 cm; weight 0.5-1 kg. A small mongoose, with a slender body and short legs. The coat color varies from buff to dark brown; the hairs have dark brown and white rings giving a grizzled appearance. The head is reddish and the legs are the same color as the body orslightly darker. The muzzle is pointed, the rhinarium is blackish, and the eyes and ears are small. The tail is muscular at the base and tapers throughout its length. There are five digits on each foot, with long, sharp non-retractile claws. The soles are naked. There is an anal pouch; the ducts of the anal glands open laterally to the anus. There are three pairs of teats. The skull is elongated and narrow, with a long brain case. The post-orbital bar encloses the orbit. The sagittal crest is weak, but the lambdoidal crest is developed. The posterior chamber of the auditory bulla is slightly inflated and projects no more than the anterior chamber. Dental formula: I 3/3, C 1/1,P4/4,M 2/2 = 40. The canines are long and slightly recurved. Thefirst premolars are small and the other cheek teeth are weakly developed and trenchant.

Habitat. Dry dipterocarp forest, grassland, open areas, and secondary vegetation. Has been observed in scrubby areas, lowland forests, and mixed deciduous forests in Laos, and was seen in Java entering a paddy field on the edge of a swamp forest. Trapped and camera-trapped in open grassland in Khao Yai National Park (Thailand). Several field observations were close to water.

Food and Feeding. The diet is said to include rats, birds, reptiles, frogs, crabs, and insects.

Activity patterns. Current evidence suggests that this species is diurnal: one sighting and camera-trap picture were recorded in Thailand during the daytime and it has been observed during the day in Laos and Java.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Appears to be solitary, although a pair was seen running through a field in Thailand.

Breeding. Said to breed throughout the year and to produce litters of two to four.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern in The IUCN Red List. Protected in Peninsular Malaysia and Thailand and listed as Vulnerable in the Chinese Red List. Hunted or snare trapped and sold for meat in markets in China, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. Field surveys, ecological studies, and assessment of threats are needed.

Bibliography. Austin & Tewes (1999b), Bechthold (1939), Chan et al. (1992), Corbet & Hill (1992), Duckworth (1997), Lekagul & McNeely (1991), Lim (1992), Nellis (1989), Simberloff et al. (2000), Veron et al. (2007), Wells (1989), Wozencraft (2005).