The linsangs are three Southeast Asian species of the mammalian family Viverridae, which also includes the civets, genets and fossas. They are grouped into two genera: the monospecific African genus Poiana and the Asian genus Prionodon. Both genera are currently placed in the subfamily Viverrinae, along with several others. However the most recent research suggests that the African and Asian genera may not be as closely related as has been thought. 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. As is characteristic of the Viverridae, they are carnivorous, eating squirrels and other rodents, small birds, lizards and insects. Typical size is a little over 30cm (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 linsangs are remarkable for their morphological resemblance to cats, family Felidae, which is greater than in the other viverrids; although both groups lie within the superfamily Feliformia, this is an example of convergent evolution.

The species of linsang are:

• African Linsang Poiana richardsoni
• Banded Linsang Prionodon linsang
• Spotted Linsang Prionodon pardicolor

External links

• http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/prionodon/p._linsang

References

• Gaubert, P., & Veron, G. (2003). Exhaustive sample set among Viverridae reveals the sister-group of felids: the linsangs as a case of extreme morphological convergence within Feliformia. Proceedings of the Royal Society, Series B, 270, 2523.