NRLD - 329881 | Ichneumia albicauda

Assessment ID

329881

Taxon name

Ichneumia albicauda

(G. Cuvier, 1829)

Uploaded by

National Red List Database

Taxonomic information

Scientific name

Ichneumia albicauda

(G. Cuvier, 1829)

Assessed taxon level

Species

Higher level taxonomic groupings

Vertebrates

Mammals

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

chordata

Class

mammalia

Order

carnivora

Family

herpestidae

Genus

Ichneumia

Species

albicauda

Species authority

(G. Cuvier, 1829)

Taxonomic notes and synonyms listed

This species is occasionally mistaken with Meller's Mongoose (Rhynchogale melleri), which also sometimes has a white tail. However, the White-tailed Mongoose is usually larger, and its body appears black, rather than brown (Skinner and Chimimba 2005). Further confusion in identification is sometimes created by the fact that Ichneumia albicauda individuals with black tails have been recorded in several areas of the African distribution range (A. Page pers. comm. 2014, C. Wright pers. comm. 2014). Only one subspecies has been listed, from southern Africa, I. a. grandis (Thomas 1890), but the nominate form has a wide distribution across much of the rest of Africa (Meester et al. 1986).

Location and scope

Specific locality or subnational name or regional name

United Arab Emirates (the)

Scope (of the Assessment)

National

Countries included within the scope of the assessment

United Arab Emirates (the)

Country ISO code(s)

ARE

Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?

Not_assigned

Conservation Status

Assessed as

Endangered

Abbreviated status

Qualifying criteria (if given)

Criteria system used

IUCN

(see Assessment details)

Assessment rationale/justification

The White-tailed Mongoose occurs in the north of the UAE mainly in the mountains but is also known from some sites in the plains. The lack of recent sightings makes it difficult to determine the population size, but it is estimated that there are fewer than 250 mature individuals and hence it is assessed as Endangered (EN) under criterion D. Any potential rescue effect is thought to be insignificant.

Assessment details

Year assessed

2018

Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed

UAE National Red List Workshop

Criteria system used

IUCN

Reference for methods given

IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1, Second edition. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. iv + 32pp pp. And IUCN. 2012. Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.

URL (link) of redlist assessment or publication

https://www.moccae.gov.ae/assets/download/b352eff1/UNRL%20of%20Mammals%20-%20Report%202019.pdf.aspx?view=true

Further information

Endemism (according to assessment)

Endemic to region

Not assigned

Taxon distribution as listed in assessment

The White-tailed Mongoose occurs in the north of the UAE mainly in the mountains but also known from some sites in the plains (Jongbloed et al. 2001, Aspinall et al. 2005, Fernandes 2011). It has been recorded from Wadi Shawkah and other sites in Ras Al Khaimah; Wadi Siji in Fujairah; it was seen in Wadi Wurayah in the late 1990s (J. Budd pers. comm. 2018), but has not been recorded there in recent camera trap surveys; and Wadi Helo and Wadi Hefiyah in Sharjah. Outside the mountains, it has been recorded at Al Ain, Al Dhaid (where two were caught in 2015) and Masafi. It was listed as Extinct in the Wild in Abu Dhabi (Drew and Tourenq 2005). The species is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal and Gambia to the Horn of Africa, and then southwards to South Africa (Do Linh San 2015). In the Arabian Peninsula, it occurs in Oman. Yemen and Saudi Arabia, in addition to UAE (Mallon and Budd 2011). The species occurs in the Hajar Mountains in Oman (Harrison and Bates 1991).

Is there a map available in assessment?

Yes

Habitat and systems

Ecological system type

Terrestrial

Not_assigned

Freshwater

Not_assigned

Marine

Not_assigned

Habitat

Habitat details as listed in assessment

Prefers mountain wadis and is normally found near permanent water; it avoids open desert. It is mainly nocturnal and preys on reptiles, small mammals, insects, birds and their eggs and carrion, and has adapted to living in close proximity to humans (Aspinall et al. 2005).

Threats and conservation measures listed

Threats listed in assessment

May be subject to persecution by poultry farmers. Habitat in the Hajar Mountains is being lost, degraded and fragmented by quarrying, road building, and residential and tourism development. As the presence of the species appears to be linked to permanent water, the disappearance of freshwater habitats and decreasing water tables in wadis due to over-abstraction might be a potential threat. Red Foxes are increasing their range in the mountains and may be a competitor or predator.

History

The population is suspected to have declined due to habitat loss and degradation, fragmentation, and competition with increasing populations of Vulpes vulpes. Whilst it was assessed as Endangered by Hornby (1996), we consider it likely that there were >250 individuals in 1996, and so back-cast the category to Vulnerable (VU D1).

Publication

UAE National Red List of Mammals: Marine and Terrestrial

Mallon, D., Hilton-Taylor, C., Allen, D., & Harding, K. (2019). UAE National Red List of Mammals: Marine and Terrestrial. A report to the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, United Arab Emirates (p. 41). IUCN Global Species Programme. https://bit.ly/2RdZCQR