Herpestes auropunctatus Illiger 1811

3.

Small Indian Mongoose

Herpestes auropunctatus

French: Mangouste tachetée / German: Goldstaubmungo / Spanish: Meloncillo chico

Taxonomy. Mangusta auropunctata Hodgson, 1836,

central Nepal.

Some authors considered the Small Indian Mongoose and the Javan Mongoose (H. javanicus) conspecific under the name H. javanicus or H. auropunctatus. Recent molecular studies suggest that they should be treated as separate species. Five subspecies have been recognized in H. auropunctatus, but the taxonomy needs clarification as some populations (notably from southern China) have not been confirmed as belonging to this species or to H. javanicus. Included here is H. palustris, which has been considered either a separate species or a synonym of H. auropunctatus.

Distribution. SW Asia from Iraq and Iran to Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Bhutan; also Bangladesh, Myanmar and S China (including Hainan I). Introduced to Antigua, Barbados, Beef Island, Buck Island, Carriacou, Croatia, Cuba, Fiji, French Guiana, Goat Island, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Hawaii, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Japan, Jost Van Dyke, La Desirade, Lavango, Mafia (Tanzania), Marie Galante, Martinique, Maui, Mauritius, Molokai, Nevis, Oahu, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, St. John, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Martin, St. Thomas, St. Vincent, Surinam, Tortola, Trinidad, Vieques, and Water Island. Introduction was unsuccessful in the Dominican Republic. The Small Indian Mongoose or the Javan Mongoose is said to occur on Hong Kong since the 1980s, and to have been also introduced to some Indonesian islands (particularly Ambon).

Descriptive notes. Head-body 25-37 cm, tail 19.2-29 cm; weight 305-662 g. There is sexual dimorphism, males being larger than females (particularly in introduced populations), for example on St Croix Island (Caribbean): Head-body 22-2—-44-6 cm (males), 21.4-38. 5 cm (females). The smallest of the Asian mongooses, with a slender body and short legs. The coat color varies from buff to rufous or dark yellowishgray; the hairs have white and dark rings, giving a grizzled appearance. The muzzle is pointed, the rhinarium is blackish, the eyes are small with a brown iris, and the ears are short. The tail is muscular at the base and tapers throughoutits length. There are five digits on each foot, with long, sharp, non-retractile claws. The soles are naked. There is an anal pouch in which the ducts of the anal glands open laterally to the anus. The anal glands have a diameter of about 5 mm and a mean weight of 10 mg / 100 g of body weight. The secretion from these glands contains volatile fatty acids, with some differences between males and females. There are three pairs of teats. A claw-shaped baculum is present in the male and ranges in size from 5-15 mm. 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: 13/3, C1/1,P 4/4, M 2/2(3) = 40-42 (the presence of a third lower molar is rare). The canines are long and slightly recurved. The first premolars are small, and the other cheek teeth are well-developed and trenchant.

Habitat. Forest, scrub, and open habitats. Also found close to human habitations. On Mauritius, a radio-tracking study found that this species favored woodland and scrub regions over other habitat types, and preferred riverine and dense forest at larger spatial scales.

Food and Feeding. Omnivorous. Most of the dietary information comes from introduced populations, but it is reported to eat rodents, snakes, insects, centipedes, and scorpionsin its native range. The diet appears to vary according to the season and the locality. Two specimen stomachs collected in the Rajasthan desert, India, contained remains of insects (Helicopric bucephalus, Anthic sexguttata, Blap orientalus, Onthophagus longicornis, and Grylus sagillatus) and a scorpion. In 56 stomachs from Puerto Rico, 315 food items were recorded, with the following frequency of occurrence: insects (56%), reptiles (17%), myriapods (12%), arachnids (8%), mammals (3%), crustaceans (1%), asteroids (starfish) (1%), amphibians (1%), and plants (11%). On St. Croix Island, 36 stomachs contained insects (83%), toads (14%), mice Mus musculus (14%), rats Rattus rattus (14%), crabs (11%), birds (3%), poultry (3%), lizards Anolis (0-5%), fruit (11%), and other plant material (6%). On Viti Levu, Fiji, an analysis of 4404 scats showed that the diet varied with the habitat: crabs were the main food in mangrove forests, rats in cane-fields, and cockroaches in urban areas. In Hawaii, a preponderance of cockroaches in the diet was reported. In the Caribbean, the Small Indian Mongoose was observed eating toads (including the parotid glands, which are normally noxious to predators), and the eggs and young of the hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). In Mauritius, 458 stomachs contained 46% rodents and shrews, 20% Tail-less Tenrecs (Tenrec eucaudatus), 20% invertebrates, 18% refuse, carrion and plants, 15% reptiles and amphibians, and 6% birds; there were seasonal changes in the diet, with more insects eaten during the wet season, and more reptiles taken during the dry season. During the winter on Korcula Island, Croatia, 184 food items were identified in 126 scats: the frequency of occurrence was 66% plants (mostly the fruits ofjuniper Juniperus oxycedrus and strawberry tree Arbutus unedo), 38% mammals (mainly wood mice Apodemus sylvaticus and rats Rattus sp.), 23% arthropods (mainly Coleoptera and a few Orthoptera), 14% birds (mostly passerines), and 1% reptiles. Compared to introduced populations in tropical areas, individuals on Korcula Island ate more fruits and less insects and reptiles. The killing method is efficient; the canines are driven into the brain and vertebral column of rodents, birds, and snakes. Centipedes and scorpions are bitten and repeatedly tossed before being consumed. Two individuals were reported working together to hunt crabs (Metapograpsus messor) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; one turned over a stone, allowing the other to attack the crab. Individuals are reluctant to enter water more than a few centimetres deep.

Activity patterns. Diurnal activity is reported from observations in India and Pakistan, and in regions where it has been introduced. In the Caribbean, most activity was between 10:00 h and 16:00 h, although they were seldom active on rainy days. Rest sites in Mauritius are mostly in fallen trees and holes in tree root systems. In India, they are reported to use burrows that they dig themselves.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Information mainly comes from introduced populations. While this species tends to be solitary, individuals frequently have been seen close to each other in introduced areas. Home ranges on St. Croix were 2-2 ha for females and 4-2 ha for males; home ranges overlapped both within and between sexes, but the overlap of core areas was minimal. On Oahu Island, Hawaii, the mean home range was 1-4 ha for seven females and 19-2 ha for five males (during the breeding season); the mean intra-sexual overlap of home ranges was 84% for males and 37% for females, with a large overlap between male and female ranges. Each male moved from den to den on successive nights and on some occasions two or three males shared a sleeping den. Females also moved den sites, except when they produced pups (they showed den fidelity during the 20 to 22 days after parturition). It appeared that males formed social coalitions, at least during the breeding season. The high population density in this introduced population suggested an abundance of resources, which may favor social behavior. Other studies report home range sizes of 22 to 39 ha in the Fiji Islands and 25 to 100 ha on Hawaii. On Puerto Rico, the home ranges of twenty mongooses were 3-2 to 19-4 ha. On Mauritius, the home ranges of 14 individuals were 25 ha to 110 ha, with considerable overlap between individuals. On two islands in Hawaii, both males and females showed natal dispersal in the fall, and males also dispersed during the breeding season. Population densities vary from less than ten to several hundred animals per km? The Small Indian Mongoose scent-marks using the secretions from its anal glands by wiping objects with its anal pouch. Males and females scent-mark their home range and are able to distinguish the scent marks of other individuals. This species has a large vocal repertoire of twelve distinct calls, which is unusually rich for an asocial species. The vocalizations are extremely varied and include weep, squawk, honk, ruck-a-ruck, pant, spit, bark, chuck, scream, and growl. Small Indian Mongooses can scratch and dig vigorously and have considerable manipulative dexterity. Gaits include walk, trot and gallop. They can climb, but are rarely observed far above the ground.

Breeding. Breeding data comes mainly from captive animals. Ovulation is induced by copulation. The estrous cycle is about three weeks, with estrus lasting three to four days. Gestation is approximately 49 days. The mean litter size is two and ranges from one to five. There are two to three litters a year. The timing of reproduction may be related to day length, as most pregnancies seem to occur prior to the summersolstice. In Mauritius, breeding is timed to avoid the driest times of the year. The beginning of estrus in captive females is revealed by restlessness and increased scent marking. Several males may attend a female, and they commonly scream, bark, and chase each other. Both sexes are polygamous and may copulate several times a day in the absence of estrus, and more frequently during estrus. Females in the late stage of pregnancy show antagonism toward males. Births occur at night, shortly after sunset. Nesting material is not used. Birth weight is about 21 g. Newborns are covered with light gray hairs, which are sparse on the abdomen. The incisors and the eruptive cones of the canines are visible, and the claws are well-developed. The eyes are closed and will open between 17 and 20 days. Mewling vocalizations are emitted when the young are disturbed. At two weeks, the incisors are fully in place and the canines have erupted. At 22 weeks, all the permanent teeth are in place. Two-thirds of the adult body massis attained at four months and sexual maturity is reached at one year. The first excursion out of the den occurs at about four weeks and the young follow the mother on hunting trips at six weeks. Spermatogenesis in the male begins when the weight reaches 400 g; the baculum reaches adult size and mass at five months or when the weight reaches 500 g.

Status and Conservation. Listed on CITES Appendix III in India. Classified as Least Concern in The IUCN Red List. Vulnerable in China. The Small Indian Mongoose is considered unthreatened in its native range as it occurs in many different types of habitats. However, these mongooses are often captured and sold as pets, and there is some commercial trade in China, India, and Nepal, which may constitute a threat in some parts ofits native range. This species has been introduced to several tropical oceanic islands for rodent control in plantations or to control vipers. Unfortunately, introduced populations have also preyed on the endemic fauna on some islands and may have caused the extinction of several species of birds, mammals, and reptiles. They eat the eggs and young of some endangered sea turtles and have also been identified as the vector of different diseases, notably rabies and leptospirosis. There have been mainly unsuccessful attempts to eliminate this species on several islands where they have been introduced.

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