Linsang
Encyclopedia
The Asiatic linsangs are two species classified in the family Prionodontidae. There is one Southeast Asia
n genus, Prionodon.
The Asiatic linsang (Prionodon) and the African linsang (Poiana) formerly were placed in the subfamily Viverrinae
(of Viverridae), along with several other genera, but recent research suggests that their actual relationships are different. The Asiatic linsangs Prionodon are remarkable for their morphological resemblance to cat
s, family Felidae
. DNA analysis indicates that while the African linsangs (Poiana) are true viverrids closely related to the genet
s, the Asiatic linsangs (Prionodon) are not and are the closest living relatives of the Felidae
family. The similarities between Asiatic linsangs and cats are due to common ancestry, while the similarities between the two genera of linsangs must be convergent.
The name linsang is from Javanese
linsang or wlinsang, which used to be wrongly translated as "otter
" in English dictionaries. Linsangs are nocturnal, generally solitary tree dwellers. They are carnivorous, eating squirrels and other rodents, small birds, lizards and insects. Typical size is a little over 30 cm (1 foot), with a tail that more than doubles that length. Bodies are long, with short legs, giving a low appearance. All species have yellowish bodies with black markings (stripes, blotches and spots), though the distribution and nature of the markings varies between species.
The species of Asiatic linsang are:
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
n genus, Prionodon.
The Asiatic linsang (Prionodon) and the African linsang (Poiana) formerly were placed in the subfamily Viverrinae
Viverrinae
The subfamily Viverrinae is the largest of the four subfamilies within the family Viverridae, containing the genets, some of the Asian civets, and the two African linsangs for a total of 22 species, comprising two-thirds of the Viverrids....
(of Viverridae), along with several other genera, but recent research suggests that their actual relationships are different. The Asiatic linsangs Prionodon are remarkable for their morphological resemblance to cat
Cat
The cat , also known as the domestic cat or housecat to distinguish it from other felids and felines, is a small, usually furry, domesticated, carnivorous mammal that is valued by humans for its companionship and for its ability to hunt vermin and household pests...
s, family Felidae
Felidae
Felidae is the biological family of the cats; a member of this family is called a felid. Felids are the strictest carnivores of the thirteen terrestrial families in the order Carnivora, although the three families of marine mammals comprising the superfamily pinnipedia are as carnivorous as the...
. DNA analysis indicates that while the African linsangs (Poiana) are true viverrids closely related to the genet
Genet (animal)
Genets are Old World mammals from the order Carnivora, family Viverridae, related to civets and linsangs. All species are contained within the genus Genetta, although the Aquatic Genet is sometimes housed in its own genus Osbornictis....
s, the Asiatic linsangs (Prionodon) are not and are the closest living relatives of the Felidae
Felidae
Felidae is the biological family of the cats; a member of this family is called a felid. Felids are the strictest carnivores of the thirteen terrestrial families in the order Carnivora, although the three families of marine mammals comprising the superfamily pinnipedia are as carnivorous as the...
family. The similarities between Asiatic linsangs and cats are due to common ancestry, while the similarities between the two genera of linsangs must be convergent.
The name linsang is from Javanese
Javanese language
Javanese language is the language of the Javanese people from the central and eastern parts of the island of Java, in Indonesia. In addition, there are also some pockets of Javanese speakers in the northern coast of western Java...
linsang or wlinsang, which used to be wrongly translated as "otter
Otter
The Otters are twelve species of semi-aquatic mammals which feed on fish and shellfish, and also other invertebrates, amphibians, birds and small mammals....
" in English dictionaries. Linsangs are nocturnal, generally solitary tree dwellers. They are carnivorous, eating squirrels and other rodents, small birds, lizards and insects. Typical size is a little over 30 cm (1 foot), with a tail that more than doubles that length. Bodies are long, with short legs, giving a low appearance. All species have yellowish bodies with black markings (stripes, blotches and spots), though the distribution and nature of the markings varies between species.
The species of Asiatic linsang are:
- Prionodon linsang - Banded LinsangBanded LinsangThe Banded Linsang is a linsang of the Malay peninsula, Sumatra, Borneo, and western Java.-Description:The Banded Linsang is around 74 cm long including the tail. It is a pale yellow with 5 dark bands. It has broad stripes on its neck and its tail consists of several dark bands with a dark tip...
- Prionodon pardicolor - Spotted LinsangSpotted LinsangThe Spotted Linsang is a linsang found in the forests of the central and eastern Himalaya. It is short, light coloured terrestrial mammal, with a slender body, a pointed head and small limbs. It stalks its prey by crawling on its belly, when it is often mistaken for a python or other heavy-built,...