A reassessment of the distribution of the rare Genetta johnstoni (Viverridae, Carnivora) with some newly discovered specimens

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe rare Johnston’s Genet (Genetta johnstoni) is one of the least known small carnivores inhabiting the West African rain forest. Some newly discovered specimens collected from the field (Guinea and Ivory Coast) and several rediscovered specimens resulting from reinvestigating collections, have permitted us to reconsider the distribution of the species. Coupled with a bibliographic review and a census of specimens kept in public collections, a reassessed distribution map is proposed, extending the previous estimated range 400 km to the West (Kolenté Plates, Guinea) and more than 600 km to the East (Tarkwa, Ghana). The majority of collected specimens have come from the inland forests of northern Liberia and south‐eastern Guinea, while the surroundings of Mt. Nimba also support numbers of this species. We suggest that the supposed restriction of G. johnstoni to rain forest be re‐evaluated because a specimen was collected in a region of moist woodlands and savannah (Kolenté Plateau). With regard to these new distributional data, conservation implications for the whole Upper Guinean block population are discussed.