Discover new weasel species in Vietnam

Rescue Center Cuc Phuong has officially confirmed that the chubby mink found in Cuc Phuong National Park (Ninh Binh) is a new species, with the scientific name Melogale cucphuongensis sp. nov.

It is known that the research results are published in the international journals Der Zoologische Garten. The new species has a skull shape and a number of distinct characteristics compared to scientifically recognized ferrets. Some identification characteristics of Melogale cucphuongensis sp. nov is the dark brown head and body, the forehead is speckled with white dots, the whiskers are long, from the neck to the shoulders is a striking black and white stripe. Belly hair is much lighter in color than the back.

Melogale cucphuongensis sp. nov okay
discovered in Cuc Phuong in 2006 (Photo: Elke Schwierz)

Experts said that this individual has the same phenotypic characteristics as the severely injured weasel discovered by Cuc Phuong rangers and brought to the Center before 2006. In the rescue process, experts have there are doubts when it comes to identifying the differences of this individual compared to the published genera of Melogale. Unfortunately, the research process was interrupted because the weasel died and its body was not kept but must be handled according to current regulations.

In the weasel species, the Melogale genus is distributed in Indochina and the Java islands, Bali, Northeast Borneo. They are relatively similar in size and color. Prior to the announcement of the new species, Melogale includes 4 species: M. personata (Male cheek mink), M. moschata (Northern chubby mink), M. orientalis and M. everetti. In particular, the two species of the Golden-toothed ferret badger and the male-toothed ferret badger are more widely distributed and present in Vietnam.