Classification The presence of an anal scent gland and associated sac is one of the most important anatomical features that differentiates mongooses from members of the family Viverridae—the group of small Old World mammals that contains civets, genets, and linsangs—in which they were formerly classified. The classification below considers the carnivore families Herpestidae and Eupleridae and their subdivisions. According to most classifications, mongooses span family Herpestidae and the Galidiinids (Malagasy mongooses) of family Eupleridae. The euplerid subfamily Euplerinae—made up of fossas, falanoucs, and fanalokas—is also included below; these animals are related to Malagasy mongooses, but they are not considered mongooses. Family Herpestidae (mongooses) 33 species in 14 genera of Africa, Madagascar, southern Asia, and southern Europe. Genus Herpestes (common mongooses) 10 species of Africa, southern Asia, and southern Europe. Genus Galerella (slender mongooses) 4 African species. Genus Bdeogale (black-legged mongooses) 3 African species. Genus Crossarchus (cusimanses) 4 African species. Genus Helogale (dwarf mongooses) 2 African species. Genus Mungos (banded mongooses) 2 African species. Genus Atilax (marsh mongoose) 1 African species. Genus Cynictis (yellow mongoose) 1 species of southern Africa. Genus Dologale (Pousargues’ mongoose) 1 species of central Africa. Genus Ichneumia (white-tailed mongoose) 1 African species. Genus Liberiictis (Liberian mongoose) 1 African species. Genus Paracynictis (Selous’ mongoose) 1 species of southern Africa. Genus Rhynchogale (Meller’s mongoose) 1 African species. Genus Suricata meerkat) 1 African species.

Family Eupleridae (Malagasy mongooses, fossas, falanoucs, and fanalokas) 8 species in 7 genera belonging to 2 subfamilies of Madagascar. Subfamily Galidiinae (Malagasy mongooses) 5 species in 4 genera found only on Madagascar. Genus Galidictis (striped mongooses) 2 species. Genus Galidia (ring-tailed mongoose) 1 species. Genus Mungotictis (narrow-striped mongoose) 1 species. Genus Salanoia (brown-tailed mongoose) 1 species. Subfamily Euplerinae (fossas, falanoucs, and fanalokas) 3 species in 3 genera found only in Madagascar. Genus Cryptoprocta (fossa) 1 species. Genus Eupleres (falanoucs) 1 species. Genus Fossa (Malagasy civet or spotted fanaloka) 1 species.

Serge Lariviere The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

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