Central African oyan

The Central African oyan (Poiana richardsonii), also called Central African linsang, is a linsang species native to Central Africa.[1]

This article is about the species of linsang. For the genus of linsangs, see Poiana (genus).

Central African oyan
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Viverridae
Genus: Poiana
Species:
P. richardsonii[2]
Binomial name
Poiana richardsonii[2]
Thomson, 1842
Central African oyan range

Characteristics

The Central African oyan's body is slender and long, with an elongated head and a pointed muzzle. Its fur is yellowish to reddish brown with darker spots on the back and flanks. Its throat and belly are lighter in colour and without spots. Its tail has 9 to 14 dark rings. Its body is 33–43 cm (13–17 in) long, and the tail about the same length. Its legs are short, and the soles of its feet hairy. Females are slightly smaller than males.[3]

Distribution and habitat

The Central African oyan is endemic to Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, the Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo east to the Albertine Rift. It lives in lowland and montane tropical rainforests.[1] In Gabon, a camera-trap recorded an individual on the forest floor.[4] In Gabon's Moukalaba-Doudou National Park, it was also recorded only in forested areas.[5]

Behaviour and ecology

The Central African oyan lives foremost in the canopy, but has rarely been observed on the ground. It is nocturnal and hunts small rodents and birds, but also feeds on insects.[3]

Its breeding habits are unknown.[6][3]

Taxonomy

The Central African oyan was first described in 1842 as Genetta richardsonii by T. R. H. Thomson based on a zoological specimen collected in Fernando Po.[7] In 1864, John Edward Gray subordinated it to the genus Poiana.[8]

Threats

The Central African oyan is possibly threatened by deforestation and bushmeat hunting.[1]

References
  1. Gaubert, P. & Do Linh San, E. (2015). "Poiana richardsonii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T41704A45219609. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
  2. Wozencraft, W.C. (2005). "Species Poiana richardsonii". 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. Van Rompaey, H. & Colyn, M. (2013). "Poiana richardsonii Central African Linsang (Central African Oyan)". In Kingdon, J. & Hoffmann, M. (eds.). The Mammals of Africa. V. Carnivores, Pangolins, Equids and Rhinoceroses. London: Bloomsbury. pp. 253−254.
  4. Bahaa-el-din, L.; Henschel, P.; Aba’a, R.; Abernethy, K.; Bohm, T.; Bout, N.; Coad, L.; Head, J.; Inoue, E.; Lahm, S.; Lee, M. E.; Maisels, F.; Rabanal, L.; Starkey, M.; Taylor, G.; Vanthomme, A.; Nakashima, Y. & Hunter, L. (2013). "Notes on the distribution and status of small carnivores in Gabon". Small Carnivore Conservation. 48: 19–29.
  5. Nakashima, Y. (2015). "Inventorying medium-and large-sized mammals in the African lowland rainforest using camera trapping". Tropics. 23 (4): 151–164. doi:10.3759/tropics.23.151.
  6. Whitfield, P., ed. (1984). Macmillan Illustrated Animal Encyclopedia. Macmillan Publishing Company. p. 92. ISBN 0-02-627680-1.
  7. Thomson, T. R. H. (1842). "Description of a new species of Genetta, and of two species of Birds from Western Africa". The Annals and Magazine of Natural History; Zoology, Botany, and Geology. 10 (64): 203–205. doi:10.1080/03745484209445224.
  8. Gray, J. E. (1864). "A Revision of the Genera and Species of Viverrine Animals (Viverridae) founded on the collection in the British Museum". Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London: 502–579.
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