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The diversity and status of the () of

Marcus A. H. CHUA1,2, Kelvin K. P. LIM1,3 and Celine H. S. LOW1

Abstract

Arctogalidia trivirgata, Common Palm hermaphroditus, Malay Civet tangalunga and V. zibetha) Aout review of the ofnine the hitherto civet records recorded; from it isSingapore not totally confirms clear that the the existence two Viverra of four species are (Small-toothednative. The status Palm of Masked Civet Palm Civet Paguma larvata is indeterminate, while the natural occurrence of Arctictis binturong, Civet Cynogale bennettii, Viverricula indica and Large Spotted Civet Viverra megaspila seems doubtful.

Keywords

: biodiversity, historical ambiguity, recent field records, Viverridae Introduction

Road;ety (Singapore). Kampung Malay– Village; words Pulau are –used Island; in locality Sungei names – River with or sized carnivores that are widely distributed in the warmer ­Malay–English translations as follows: Bukit – Hill; Jalan – partsThe family of the Viverridae Old World. (civets) Ten species consists of civets of small- are knownto medium- from Stream. and nomenclature follow Jennings & Veron (2009). Sightings were of single except where stated. ofthe the Malay Sunda Peninsula Shelf, and (Francis is largely 2008), occupied the strip by Peninsular of land at Ma the Individual records are given in the Appendix and locations are laysiasouth-eastern and southern corner . of the Asian At the continent southern which tip of is the also Malay part Binturongmarked on Fig.Arctictis 1. binturong (Raffles) - : Arctictis binturong binturong where nine species of civets have been reported, although spe Arctictis binturong Peninsula is Singapore (1°20'N, 103°50'E), a small country (Raffles) Singapore is separated from the Asian mainland by the- Arctitis [sic] binturong – Harrison binturong 1974: 229 (Singapore:et al not ­recorded Straitscific records of , of most a channel are not of readilyseawater available. that is, at its narrowest for many years), Baker & Lim 2008: 167 ­(Singapore: ­extinct). – Yang . 1990: 14, 21 smaller islands make up an area of 710 km² (Singapore: indeterminate status). Bukitpoint, Timahonly 600 Hill, m its wide. highest The point,main islandis 164 ofm Singaporeabove sea level.and sixty The (NParks 2010). and claimedHarrison that (1974) the suggested species had that not the typebeen specimen recorded of there Bin- mm, never falling below a mean of 100 mm in the driest months turong, described by Raffles, may have been from Singapore, climate is equatorial and has a mean annual rainfall of 2,375 Viverra? binturong) was “foundfor many at ”,years. However, which isin not the in original Singapore, description, and at that Raffles time (Corlett 1992). The area was largely covered in diverse lowland might(1821: even 253) have stated referred that the to an origin (as from other parts of the oftropical Singapore rainforest into a untiltrading the post, arrival and of now Sir Stamforda metropolitan Raffles city. in 1819 (Corlett 1992, Turner 1993), followed by the development specimenMalay Peninsula: came from Malacca a market. was a majorIf it had trade been centre from of Singapore, the region Currently, only 2.8 km² of primary forest remain (Corlett 1997), at that time (Kennedy 1993) and it is therefore Simiapossible maura? that the naturalin the Bukit areas, Timah and alongNature with Reserve Sungei and Buloh the Central Wetland Catchment Reserve Presbytis femoralis), Tupaia ferruginea Tupaia glis) and Sciu- Nature Reserve. These rainforest nature reserves are protected rusRaffles affinis would Ratufahave written affinis ).thus, The asreasoning he did for behind Harrison’s (= claim is unknown, and there is apparently (= no historical record and LabradorThe Viverridae Nature ofReserve Singapore make has up 33.26been km²reported (about by 4.7%) Can of Binturong (= in Singapore. However, escapees, such as that list of Singapore’s total land area (NParks 2010). et al et al. - - tor (1846), Ridley (1895), et Chasen al (1924), Harrison (1974), Small-tootheded in the Appendix, Palm have Civet been Arctogalidia recorded (Yang trivirgata . 1990). (Gray) ­Medway (1983), Yang (1990), Teo & Rajathurai (1997), Subspecies: Arctogalidia trivirgata trivirgata tusBaker in the & Limcountry. (2008), Lim . (2008) and Lim & Ou Yang (2012). This article is a review of their diversity and local sta- Paguma trivirgata (Gray) (see Species list ArctogalidiaCorbet & Hill trivirgata 1992: 212) – Cantor 1846: 201 (Singapore). – Chasen 1924: 83, Harrison 1974: 230 specimen records), preserved specimens largely in the Zoo stricted(seemed to to a occur few areas), in Singapore), Lim et al Corbet & Hill 1992: 212, The following records are from published literature (including Baker & Lim 2008: 152 & 163 (Singapore: rare and re- - . 2008: 200 (Singapore: andlogical observations Reference Collectionand photographs (ZRC) ofsubmitted the Raffles to the Museum records of Arctogalidia‘critically trivirgata endangered’, sumatrana confined to and Cen- Biodiversity Research at the National University of Singapore, ettral al Catchment Nature Reserves). – Medway 1983: 94, Yang database of the Study Group of The Nature Soci- . 1990: 14 & 21 (Singapore: indeterminate status).

1 Small Carnivore Conservation, Vol. 47: 1–10, December 2012 Chua et al.

Fig. 1. Singapore, with known locations of civet records. Solid shapes represent confirmed, hollow shapes unconfirmed, records. Offshore islands: PU = , PT = , ST = ; Nature Reserves: BTNR = Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, CCNR = Central Catchment Nature Reserve, LNR = , SBWR = Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.

• Singapore – male presented by C. O. Hagerdon on 23 November 1922 (ZRC 4.1294; Chasen 1924: 83).

vidualsChasen that were(1924) brought cited two to thespecimens museum in within the collection two years. of Thethe Rafflesfate of Museumthe latter and is not mentioned clear. This another species three appears local toindi be- highly vocal and is known to make a loud chirping call. It ap

- butpears rarely to be observed confined in in the Singapore past two to decades: the Bukit the Timah records and in Cen the- tral Catchment Nature Reserves, where it has been widespread

callyAppendix endangered are the bytotal Lim from et al at least 300 hours of spotlighting surveys (Fig. 2). In Singapore, this species is regarded as criti- Paguma. larvata(2008). (Smith) Fig. 2. The arboreal Small-toothed Palm Civet Arctogalidia trivirgata has Subspecies: Paguma larvata annectens only been recorded in Singapore by night-transect spotlighting (photo: (Robinson & Kloss; Celine Low). Paguma leucomystax also see Corbet & Hill 1992: 210) cious). – Cantor 1846: 200 (Singapore), Chas- Museum specimens Pagumaen 1924:larvata 82–83 (Singapore: occurrence seemed suspi-

– Harrison 1974: 228 (Singapore: apparently • Singapore – female acquired from C. O. Hagerdon on used to occur at the turn of the 20th century), Baker & Lim 15 March 1922 (ZRC 4.1293; Chasen 1924: 83). 2008: 163 (Singapore: rare and restricted to a few areas?), Small Carnivore Conservation, Vol. 47, December 2012 2 Civets of Singapore

Lim et al ularly in rural and suburban areas where there are fruit trees Patou et al for it to feed in, and roof spaces into which it can retire by day Paguma larvata. 2008: jourdainii 200 (Singapore: ‘critically endangered’), demic [sic . 2009: 220 (specimen from ). This close association with people has given rise to et al – Medway 1983: 93 (presence of en- (Harrison 1974, Baker & Lim 2008, Xu 2010). ] population in Singapore not confirmed), Yang . 1990: 14 & 21 (Singapore: occurrence doubtful), Teo ­human–civet conflict in some residential areas. From being & Rajathurai 1997: 370 (MacRitchieP. leucomystax and), withPulau suspicion, Tekong). a a subject of gastronomic interest, this animal has, in recent theyears, dislodging been viewed of roof as atiles, nuisance or of havingby some. their Not fruit many trees people raided are Chasen (1924) cited (as tolerant of thumping sounds (of civets running) on the ceiling, atspecimen the present in the and Raffles may Museum have been labelled lost. Patou as having et al been taken in citedSingapore a ‘Singapore’ in 1895. However,specimen thisfrom specimen the Singapore could notZoo; be this located was (by civets). As a result, many of these animals were trapped by . (2009: 220) 2010residents were (Xu translocated 2010). to the Bukit Timah and Central Catch in litt. 2012). The Some civets caught at suburban in 2009 and early most probably a captive-born animal imported from the Taipei - Zoo (Razak Jaffar, Reserves Singapore, Thisment had Nature apparently Reserves led (T. to aM. rise Leong in the verbally sightings 2012), of this Labrador species animal.1990 record As there from is Pulauneither Tekong recent cannot proof ofbe its confirmed wild occurrence and there in inNature the nature Reserve reserves and other over those wooded two but years. non-protected The concentration areas. Singapore,is no way to nor ascertain indisputable if the 1994historical sighting record is of there, a former the national captive status of Masked Palm Civet should be considered indeterminate. of sightings at Pulau Ubin in 1999 and 2000 was, however, due Common Palm Civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus (Pallas) byto anfar intensive the most wildlife commonly survey observed conducted civet by in theSingapore, National it Parks is re Board (NParks) on the island during that period. Despite being Patou et al - allySubspecies: constituted uncertain may be pending paraphyletic, a thorough indicating taxonomic that it revision.perhaps Ottergarded Civet as uncommon Cynogale atbennettii the national Gray level (Baker & Lim 2008). should be split. (2010) into at proposed least three that distinct the speciesspecies. asThe convention Singapore- Subspecies: none recognised. Cynogale bennetti [sic der 200 m) of Indochina, the , and . Pardoxuruspopulation falls [sic] into musanga the group that occurs in the lowlands (un- Cynogale bennettii ] – Harrisonet al 1974: 231 (Singapore speci- Viverra malaccensis men at the Natural History Museum in London). – Cantor 1846: 201 (Singapore). occurrence doubtful). – Yang . 1990: 15 & 21 (Singapore: oc- Paradoxurus hermaphroditus – Ridley 1895: 92 (Singapore; misidenti- currence doubtful), Baker & Lim 2008: 170 (Singapore: fication). Apart from an old specimen without precise collec – Chasen 1924: 82, Chuang 1973: 3, Harrison & Tham 1973: 252, Harrison 1974: 227, Cor- - lett & Lucas 1995: 98 (Bukit Timah Nature Reserve), includedtion data theat the specimen Natural inHistory his publication Museum in as London, “highly there likely” is Chua 2000: 109 & 134 (Pulau Ubin), Anonymous 2003: no other record of this rare civet in Singapore. Meiri (2005) 25 & 92 (Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve), Baker & Lim in Paradoxurus2008: 152 hermaphroditus & 163 (Singapore: musanga widespread and uncom- litt.(p. 21) to have been obtained in Singapore, because it did not mon),et Chua al 2010: 137 (Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve). specimenseem odd labelledaccording from to theSingapore, species’s of distribution Indian Grey (S. Meiri – Medway 1983: 93, 2012), despite having at the same time noted (for another Yang . 1990: 14 & 21 (Singapore: common), Teo & Rajathurai 1997: 369 (Bukit Timah and Central Catch- Museumment specimens Nature Reserves).

• Thomson Road, reservoir – specimen presented by A. A. Day on 26 July 1921 (ZRC 4.1415). • – male acquired by ‘Purdy’ on 3 March 1927 (ZRC 4.1392). • Singapore – specimen obtained by ‘Kadir’ on 4 January 1944 (ZRC 4.1393). • Ulu Pandan, off Holland Road – female road-kill col- lected by H. T. W. Tan on 6 February 2008 (ZRC 4.8182; also see Appendix). Paradoxurus hermaphroditus According to Harrison & Tham (1973: 252), tion by those who was believe “caught that in itsthe meat jungles possesses of Singapore invigorat and ingneighbouring properties”. countries However, and . . . usedthis practice fordoes human not appear consump to be- Fig. 3. Camera-trap image of a Malay Civet Viverra tangalunga attracted prevalent in recent years, at least in Singapore. Common Palm- to chicken carcass in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (photo Civet frequently lives in and around human habitation, partic courtesy of Norman Lim and Ou Yang Xiuling).

- 3 Small Carnivore Conservation, Vol. 47, December 2012 Chua et al.

Herpestes edwardsii ture Reserves from September 2011 to January 2012 yielded ) that “Singapore is and has been . . . a ma- era-trap survey of the BukitV. tangalunga Timah and Central Catchment Na- jor trade center, and thus records of supposedlyet al Singaporean. 2006), Ot terspecimens Civet appears should to be occur taken naturally with a grain in low of numberssalt”. Furthermore, and other isone indeed confirmed part of record a native of population, the (Lim species & Ou in Yang Singapore 2012; thanfrom thespecimen lone Singaporean lists and field specimen records in (Veron question, has not been- shouldFig. 3). bePerhaps regarded the as individual rare, possibly was criticallya former endangered.captive, but Limif it recorded from other small islands. The evidence suggests its V. tangalunga occurrence in Singapore is doubtful. from Singapore, & Ou Yang (2012) also reported a specimen of Large-spotted Civet Viverra megaspila Blyth precise informationcatalogued on the collection by the Muséum location National and date, d’Histoire and the Subspecies: none recognised. collector.Naturelle, AsParis, with in all1969 civet as specimensMNHN CG 1970-369. from Singapore, The label caution lacks Viverra megaspila V. tangalunga – Chasen 1924: 82 (refers to Singapore Largeis needed Indian over Civet its origin Viverra (see zibetha discussion). Linnaeus pore:material doubtful identified occurrence). as by Cantor 1846), Subspecies: Viverra zibetha sigillata ViverraCorbet megaspila & Hill 1992:megaspila 206, Baker & Lim 2008: 170 (Singa- Viverra zibetha et al Robinson & Kloss – Medway 1983: 90 (Singapore – Cantor 1846: 197 (Singapore), Chasen 1924: record considered tentative), Yang . 1990: 14 & 21 81–82 (five specimens taken between 1908 and 1922), There(Singapore: is no actual doubtful record occurrence). of V. megaspila in Singapore. Chas Chuang 1973: 3, Harrison 1974: 225 (seemed to be the V. tus),commonest Lim et civetal in Singapore), Corbet & Hill 1992: 205, tangalunga from Singapore could be V. megaspila - Baker & Lim 2008: 170 (Singapore: indeterminate sta- entwo (1924) species was were of formerlythe opinion confused). that Cantor’s However, (1846) because record Chasen of Viverra zibetha pruinosa. 2008: 201 (Singapore: ‘criticallyet al endan- did not even see Cantor’s material, there is no support (because for thehis gered’), Jennings & Veron 2011: 318. referral of Cantor’s record to V. megaspila – Medway 1983: 90, Yang . 1990: V. Museum13 & specimens 21 (Singapore: indeterminate status). megaspila . Conversely, Lim & Ou Yang (2012) reported a specimen from Singapore labelled as which wasdeposited later determined at the Muséum to be NationalV. tangalunga. d’Histoire In the Naturelle Malay • Singapore – female acquired on 30 November 1917 Peninsula,in Paris, France, V. megaspila under catalogueis uncommon number and MNHNthere are CG apparently1970-369, (ZRC 4.1470; Chasen 1924: 81). • 10th mile – female obtained on 5 November 1924 (ZRC 4.1471). Malayno records Civet of Viverrait south oftangalunga Perak (Jennings Gray & Veron 2011). • Bukit Timah – female obtained on 23 February 1925 Subspecies: Viverra tangalunga tangalunga Gray 1474).(ZRC 4.1472). Viverra tangalunga • Bukit Timah – two acquired in 1934 (ZRC 4.1473,

– Cantor 1846: 197 (Singapore), Corbet & • Bukit Timah – male acquired on 7 February 1935 (ZRC Hill 1992: 206, Baker & Lim 2008: 170 (Singapore: in- 4.1463).4.1475). Viverradeterminate tanhalunga status), [sic Jennings & Veron 2011: 319, Lim & • Singapore – male obtained on 19 February 1941 (ZRC ViverraOu tangalunga Yang 2012: tangalunga 79 (camera-trapped at MacRitchie forest).et al. V. zibetha was “com ] – Chuang 1973: 3. monly imported” into Singapore “and no doubt escape[s] from – Medway 1983: 90, Yang captivityChasen at times”. (1924: He 82) cited reported three Singapore that specimens at the- 1990: 13 & 21 (Singapore: indeterminate status), Teo & Rajathurai 1997: 370 (Central Catchment Nature Re- He also mentioned two other individuals that were locally ob serve, ?PulauV. Tekong). tangalunga from Singapore before January Raffles Museum taken in 1908, 1917 and 1922, respectively. 2012 cited diagnostic characters or was photographed. All these - No report of tained in 1921 and 1922. Of these, only that from 1917 (ZRC V. zibetha 4.1470) remains in the collection today. Five specimensV. taken zibe- shouldeach other, therefore they canbe treated easily beas unconfirmed,confused with possibly each other being in mis the- thaduring was 1924–1941 the commonest were civetsubsequently in Singapore. added. Indeed, These therespecimens were identified . As these two species superficially resemble thencould far have fewer given specimens Harrison of (1974) Paradoxurus the impression hermaphroditus that and recent record from Pulau Tekong may have been of V. zibetha. Arctogalidia trivirgata field. Teo & Rajathurai (1997) were of the opinion that the then In view of Chasen’s note that this is a commonly traded species, whether or not it is indigenous in the collection needs to of be the determined. Raffles Museum. It wasThe reported record by from a staff the of Central the Singapore Catchment Zoo, Nature and the Reserve timing V. zibetha is partly as coincidedin the early with 1990s the (Teodonation & Rajathurai to the zoo 1997) of a V.seems zibetha suspicious. trapped sociated with human activities, and “may have spread down to theAccording Malay Peninsula to Harrison with (1974: human 225), cultivation”. Indeed, the- conspicuousnear civet, (see which below) shows in May a degree 1990. of tolerance to dis lished photograph, was of an animal trapped in a farming area The paucity of confirmed recordset of al this. 2006) rather places large some and sole recent confirmed Singapore record, verified from a pub- doubt on its natural occurrence in Singapore. However, a cam- species is restricted to continental , north to turbed (Colón 2002, Jennings in 1990. Its wild or captive origin cannot be determined. This - Small Carnivore Conservation, Vol. 47, December 2012 4 Civets of Singapore southern and west to northern ; Singapore would The occurrence of the remaining four species is doubt ful. There is no proof that Arctictis binturong ever occurred as V. tangalunga naturally, but it inhabits islands in the Archipelago, such- be the southern limit of its range (Corbet & Hill 1992), where- pears better adapted, confined to the to insulardense, humidSoutheast rainforest Asia except for Singapore. Hence, there may be a possibility that the species prevalentoccurrence in on the the region. Malay Peninsula (Corbet & Hill 1992), ap- as Bintan and Kundur (Corbett & Hill 1992), which are near Apart from the one individual trapped at Jalan Bahar, mal records or collections began. Records of Cynogale bennet- V. zibetha from Cen wastii and present Viverricula in Singapore, indica may but haveextirpated been basedbefore onproper specimens mam- acquired through trade. Singapore was a bustling trading cen there were also unconfirmedet sightings al of - tre and imported specimens may have been purchased in the tral Catchment Nature Reserve, Pulau Tekong, Lornie Road market, yet labelled as implying a Singapore origin. Viverra- and Old Holland Road (Lim . 2008). Because there are no megaspila was included because it was assumed, apparently confirmed records apart fromet the al one trapped in 1990, its na- without strong foundation, to be the correct identity of an tional status is considered indeterminate (Baker & Lim 2008) early record of V. tangalunga. The inclusion of the species with Smallor critically Indian endangered Civet Viverricula (Lim indica. 2008). doubtful Singapore occurrence in previous literature as locally (E. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire) et al Subspecies: Viverricula indica klossi Pocock Viverricula malaccensis byextinct authors (Yang such as. 1990, Brook Baker et al & Lim 2008) may have result- ed in inaccuracies in estimates of rates in Singapore information relating – Cantorto Common 1846: Palm 199 Civet (Singapore), Paradoxurus Rid- face today. . (2003). This does not reduce hermaphroditusley 1895: 92 (Singapore:). but name incorrectly applied to the severity of the extinctionP. threatshermaphroditus that civets, which in Singapore adapts Viverricula indica readily to human habitation, the survival of most Singaporean speciesWith of thecivets exception depends, of to varying degrees, on the availa indeterminate – Chuangstatus). 1973: 3, Harrison 1974: 226, Cor- bility of forest. Although the total green cover in Singapore is Viverriculabet & Hillindica 1992: indica 206, Baker &et Limal 2008: 170 (Singapore: - pore: doubtful occurrence). – Yang . 1990: 14 & 21 (Singa- 47%, most of it is not rainforest (Turner 1993). The scarcity We are aware of no Singapore specimen of V. indica in a rarityof extensive of Arctogalidia tall forest trivirgata may have and led V.to tangalunga, the possible which extinction may museum, nor any recorded sighting in Singapore. Consider of forest-dependent species and contributed to the apparent ing that V. indica trapped and spotlit - have Tradelower indensities civets couldin disturbed have been forest lucrative habitats in (Heydon the past, & is, when present, relatively easily camera- Bulloh 1996, Lekagul & McNeely 1988, Colón 2002). (e.g. Su Su 2005, Kumara & Singh 2007, predominantly,Holden & Neang in 2009), areas ofit heavyis unlikely habitat to remaindegradation unnoticed and hu in pets.given Civets their were culinary also usea feature (Cantor in the 1846, perfume Chasen industry, 1924, Harriwhich- Singapore if extant. Furthermore, this species occurs, perhaps son & Tham 1973). Their kittens were probably in demand as it would be unlikely to have escaped observation or collection- of animals caught from surrounding areas passed through hadman itactivity been (e.g.present Lekagul in Singapore. & McNeely Therefore, 1988, Su Su its 2005). occurrence Thus, uses civet musk. Being a major trading centre, many species of the common civets in Singapore, it is likely that, as with Rid labelledSingapore. as having Some maybeen have obtained escaped in the from country. captivity Old museum (Chasen here is highly doubtful. Although ParadoxurusChuang (1973) hermaphroditus cited it as one. specimens1924) while bearing others suchmay havelabels been and purchasedwithout detailed locally collection and then - Cyn- leyDiscussion (1895), he had misidentified ogale bennettii, above). data shouldUntil the be past treated two withdecades, a large there dose was of nosuspicion concerted (see effort to survey wild in Singapore. Most of the recent re cords of wild mammals, including civets, are from surveys in Nine of the ten species of civets acceptedHemigalus for derbyanus Peninsular. There Ma- - laysia by Francis (2008) have been reported from Singapore, Arctogalidiathe exception trivirgata, being Banded Paradoxurus Civet hermaphroditus, Viverra the Bukit Timah and Central Catchment Nature Reserves (Teo & tangalungaare confirmed and records V. zibetha of wild-livingA. trivirgata animals and of V. four tangalunga species:) Rajathurai 1997, Leong & Gan 2012), roadkills, and academic research (Chua 2009, Xu 2010, Fung 2011). More recently, . P.Two hermaphroditus ( ), which adapts to camera-traps have been used, in the Bukit Timah and Central are confined to the Bukit Timah and Central Catchment Na- Catchment Nature Reserves,V. tangalunga Western Catchment, in Singapore. Pulau Ubin someture Reserves; humans whothe third do not ( welcome it in their homes. Viver- and PulauStill, littleTekong is (seeknown Lim about & Ou civetYang 2012),ecology resulting in Singapore. in the disturbedra zibetha habitats and human habitation, faces conflict from Otherfirst confirmed than the presencerecord of and distribution of species presented Paguma larvata sighting from the Central Catch here, and the diet of P. hermaphroditus has not been seen locally for at least 18 years. A information is scant. Many civets are at least partly arboreal, confirmedAlthough this cannot be proven, subsequent surveys have not- (Xu 2010, Fung 2011), foundment Naturethe species, Reserve and themay only have other involved recent an report, escaped from captive. Pulau near the ground, thereby missing largely arboreal species such asbut Arctogalidia conventional trivirgata use of camera-traps only records civets on or Viverra Tekong, is unconfirmed. Moreover, truly wild origin of the two (Walston & Duckworth 2003, Hunter species is not totally certain (see species accounts). & Barrett 2011). Hence, other techniques such as spotlighting Small Carnivore Conservation, Vol. 47, December 2012

5 Chua et al.

The mammals of the Indomalayan Re- cies’ local status. gion: a systematic review and baitedThis update cage-traps of the may status be necessaryof civets in to Singapore understand highlights all spe- Corbet, G. B. & Hill, J. E. 1992. . Natural History Museum Publications of museum specimen labels and original literature: doubtful and OxfordJournal University of Biogeography Press, Oxford, U.K. recordsthe importance sometimes of careful become examination embedded and in critical‘common evaluation knowl Corlett, R. T. 1992. The ecological transformation of Singapore, 1819– edge’ as valid. Apart from confusing the understanding of the pore.1990. Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore 19: 411–420. status and distribution of individual species, such confusions- Corlett, R. T. 1997. The vegetation in the Nature Reserve ofGardens’ Singa- Bulletin, Singapore 49: 147–159. Corlett, R. T. & Lucas,A P.field W. 1995.guide Mammalsto the mammals of Bukit of Timah.South-. ofmay civets have in erroneously Singapore is inflated vital in the understanding extinction rate the of autecology mammals Supplement 3: 93–104. andin Singapore. conservation Further of nationally research threatened in the ecology species. and behaviour Francis, C. M. 2008.The diet of the Common Palm Civet maphroditusNew Holland, (Pallas,London, 1777) U.K. in urban and forested environments Acknowledgements Fung,in T. Singapore. K. 2011. Paradoxurus her- Singapore. Honours Thesis, National University of Singapore, GroupThe authors and all would individuals like to whoacknowledge have shared the invaluableRaffles Museum records of overBio- diversity Research, the , the Vertebrate Study Hall, M. 1989.Pangolin Some notes on the of a Hill Shai Meiri for sharing their knowledge, and Razak Jaffar and Subash garden (not includingAn introduction the to mammalsand ) of Singapore June 1985 and – JuneMa- Chandranthe years. Wefrom are Wildlife grateful Reserves to Géradine Singapore Veron, for Marie-Lilith information Patou on capand laya1989. 2(2): 32–33. Harrison, J. 1974. - . Singapore Branch of the MalayanAnimal Nature life and Society, nature Singapore. in Singa- regardingtive civets. the We translocation thank Norman of civetsLim and to theOu YangBukit XiulingTimah forand contrib Central- Harrison,pore. SingaporeJ. L. & Tham, University A. K. 1973. Press, The Singapore. exploitation of animals. Pp. uting their camera-trap photograph, Leong Tzi Ming for information 251–259 in Chuang S. H. (ed.) sympatric civet species in . Oryx 30: 31–36. wouldCatchment like to Nature thank Reserves,the Ministry and of theDefence two anonymousfor permission reviewers to conduct for Heydon, M. J. & Bulloh, P. 1996. The impact of selective on their useful suggestions in improving the manuscript. The first author mom Mountains, southwestern . Small Carnivore Con- was funded by the Wildlife Reserve Singapore Conservation Grant. Holden,servation J. & Neang 40: 16–21. T. 2009. Small carnivore records from the Carda- field surveys in the Western Catchment Area and Pulau Tekong, and A field guide to the carnivores of the References world. Pangolin Hunter, L. & Barrett, P. 2011. Pangolin New Holland, London, U.K. Anonymous 1988a. Recent reports. 1(1): 2–10. Pangolin Jennings,Handbook A. P. & of Veron, the mammals G. 2009. Familyof the world, Viverridae 1. Carnivores (civets, genets and Anonymous 1988b. Some past reports. 1(1): 11–16. cions,oyans). Barcelona, Pp. 174–232 Spain. in Wilson, D. E. & Mittermeier, R. A. (eds) Anonymous 1990. Singapore recordsPangolin for the year (1990). . Edi- Anonymous3(1–4): 2003.3–15. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve – A decade of wet- Jour- Anonymousland conservation 1993. Current. records. 6(1–2): 1–4. Jennings,nal of A. Mammalogy P. & Veron, G. 2011. Predicted distribution and ecological Wild animals of Singapore. A photo- niches of 8 civet and mongoose species in Southeast Asia. graphic guide to mammals,National Parksreptiles, Board, amphibians Singapore. and freshwater . 92: 316–327. Viverra Baker,fishes N. & Lim, K. K. P. 2008. Jennings,tangalunga A. P., Seymour,) on Buton A. Island,S. & Dunstone, . N. Journal 2006. ofRanging Zoology, behav Lon- doniour, spatial organization and activity of the Malay Civet ( . 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Leong, T. M. & Gan, J. G. W. M. 2012. Pangolin National Chua, E. K. 2010. Can medium-sized mammals co-exist with humans Pangolin onNational Pulau ParksUbin?. Board and Simply Green, Singapore. Lim, 10–30.K. 1996. The python and the civet . 7(1–4): 42–45. Chua,pore, M. A. Singapore. H. 2009. Lim, K., Subaraj, R. & Teo, R. 2000. Records for 1995. 8(1–4): Honours Thesis, National University of Animal Singa- life and nature in Singapore. Singapore University Press, Singa Lim, K. K. P.,The Subaraj, Singapore R., Yeo, Red S. Data H., Lim, Book. N., Threatened Lane, D. & Lee, plants B. Y.& H.animals 2008. Chuangpore. S. H. 1973. Introduction. Pp. 1–6 in Chuang S. H. (ed.) ofMammals. Singapore Pp. 190–207 in Davison, G. W. H., Ng, P. K. L. & Ho, H. C. - (eds) Viverra Viverra tangalunga) in a logged and an unlogged forest in Danum tangalunga , 2nd edn. Nature Society (Singapore), Singapore. Colón, C. P. 2002. 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The wild mammals of Malaya (Peninsular Malay- sia) and Singapore. Second edition, reprinted with corrections. Medway, Lord 1983. Turner, I. M. 1993. Singapore: Biodiversity: a case-study an for ecological tropical perspective rain forest. fragmentation and biodiversity loss. Pp. 249–257 in Abe, T., Lev- oldOxford . University Small Carnivores Press, Kuala Conservation Lumpur, Malaysia. 33: 21–23. in, S. A. & Higashi, M. (eds) Meiri, S. 2005. Small carnivores on small islands. NewSingapore. data based 4th na on- Springer, New York, U.S.A. tional report to the Convention on Biological Diversity Veron,endangered G., Gaubert, Otter P., Franklin, Civet Cynogale N., Jennings, bennettii A. P. & Grassman, L. I., Jr. [NParks]Parks National Board, Singapore. Parks Board Singapore. 2010. 2006. A reassessment ofOryx the distribution and taxonomy of the . National (Carnivora: Viverri- tootheddae) of South-east Palm Civet Asia. Arctogalidia 40: trivirgata42–49. from Cambodia, with Patou,the M. Masked L., Chen, Palm J., Cosson, Civet Paguma L., Andersen, larvata D. H., Cruaud, C.,Journal Couloux, of Walston,notes J. on L. surveying & Duckworth, the species. J. W. 2003. Small TheCarnivore first recordConservation of Small- Zoology,A., Randi, London E., Zhang, S. & Veron, G. 2009. Low genetic diversity in 12–13. (Viverridae). Autecology and public awareness of the 28: 278: 218–230. maphroditus (Pallas, 1777) in an urban environment in Singapore. Patou,Paradoxurus M. L., Wilting, palm A., civets Gaubert, – a new P., Esselstyn, model for J.Asian A., Cruaud, biogeography. C., Jen- Xu, W. 2010. Paradoxurus her- Journalnings, A. of P., Biogeography Fickel, J. & Veron, G. 2010. Evolutionary history of the Honours Thesis, National University of Singapore,Essays inSingapore. zoology. De 37: 2077–2097. Yang C. M., Yong, K. & Lim, K. K. P. 1990. Wild mammals of Singapore. Raffles,the T.Island S. 1821. of Sumatra Descriptive and its catalogue vicinity, ofunder a zoological the direction collection, of Sir Pp. 1–23 in Chou, L. M. & Ng, P. K. L. (eds)Pangolin - made on account of the Honourable East India Company, in partment of Zoology, National University of Singapore, Singapore.Pango- ough; with additional notices illustrative of the natural history of Yeo, S.lin H. 1989. Recent reports: mammals. 2(4): 60–63. thoseThomas countries. Stamford Transactions Raffles, Lieutenant-Governor of the Linnaean Society of Fort of Marlbor London- Yeo, S. H. 1991. Records for the first quarter, 1991. Mammals.Pangolin 4(1): 1–3. Natural Sci- Yeo, S. H. & Lim, K. K. P. 1992. Current records: mammals. ence13: 239–340. 5(1–4):1Vertebrate 1–5. Study Group, Nature Society Ridley, H. N. 1895.Sentosa The mammals fauna study of the report Malay. UnpublishedPeninsula. report by (Singapore) 510 Road, 6(35, 36, 37): 23–29, 84–96, 161–166. #02-05 The Sunflower, Subaraj,Singapore. R. 1995. Singapore 398466, Republic of Singapore. the Vertebrate Study Group of the Nature Society (Singapore), Email: [email protected] gapore. Pangolin 2Department of Biological Sciences, Subaraj, R. 2000. A survey of the vertebrate fauna of Pulau Ubin,Pango Sin- National University of Singapore lin 8(1–4): 31–36. 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Subaraj, R., Lim, K. & Teo, R. 2000. Late records (1993–1994). Republic of Singapore. Park, 8(1–4): . 1–9. Small Carnivore Conservation 33: 6–13. 3Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, Su Su 2005. Small carnivores and their threats in Hlawga Wildlife National University of Singapore in the nature reserves of Singapore – diversity, abundance and Block S6, Science Drive 2, #03-01, Singapore 117546, Teo, R.distribution. C. H. & Rajathurai, Gardens’ S. Bulletin, 1997. Mammals, Singapore and amphibians Republic of Singapore.

Appendix. Civet records from Singapore 49: 353–425.

Location Date Time Habit when observed Observer/Reference Arctictis binturong : Cheng Hua Garden May 2004 N.A. Fine adult, believed to be a zoo escapee, The Straits Times was caught and returned to the Singapore 8 May 2004: 6 Zoo Arctogalidia trivirgata Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Between Jun 1993 Night Two unconfirmed records of probably Teo & Rajathurai 1997 and Jul 1997 the same individual. “calling incessantly [from trees], sounding like Slender Squirrel Sundasciurus tenuis, but much louder and exaggerated” Central Catchment Nature Reserve: 1997 Night Two observed S. H. Yeo in Teo & Nee Soon sector ­Rajathurai 1997 Sime Forest: Petaling Trail 12 Sep 2003 Night In tree R. Tan & N. Lim, photo Upper Peirce Reservoir Park: access road from Old 29 Oct 2004 Night In tree A. Yeo. Photo in Baker & Upper Thomson Road Lim 2008 Nee Soon Swamp-forest: pipeline trail at bend of 11 Nov 2010 Night (23h30) N.A. S. H. Yeo pipe (Continued)

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Location Date Time Habit when observed Observer/Reference Nee Soon Swamp-forest: pipeline trail at 21 Dec 2010 Night (21h15) In tree near a stream N. Baker & company, former pumphouse photo Nee Soon Swamp-forest: pipeline trail, 3 Apr 2011 Night (22h35) In tree, made a ‘chiirrp-chiirrp’ call C. Low & company, where pipe goes underground near pond photo (Fig. 2) Nee Soon Swamp-forest: pipeline trail 10 Apr 2011 Night (21h16) In fruiting trees near a drain M. Chua Paguma larvata Pulau Tekong 1990 N.A. N.A. Teo & Rajathurai 1997, Lim et al. 2008 Central Catchment Nature Reserve: MacRitchie 13 Aug 1994 Night (22h15) N.A. Teo & Rajathurai 1997, sector, Sime Road, Kalang Circus Subaraj, Lim & Teo 2000, Lim et al. 2008 Paradoxurus hermaphroditus : Singapore Botanic Gardens 1924 Dusk Sometimes observed crossing grass Chasen 1924 lawns from tree to tree Pasir Panjang: Zehnder Road Sep 1985; 12 Apr N.A. Three juveniles accompanied by two adults; Hall 1989 1987; 30 May 1987; three young with two adults; two dashed Feb 1988 through trees and then onto ground, growl- ing and chasing each other; one confronted a cat in the house Upper : Pasir Laba Road 30 May 1986 N.A. Trapped in the bathroom of an army Anon. 1988b, Lim 1996 ­barrack Bukit Timah: Swiss Club Road 19 Oct 1986 Night (04h00) N.A. Anon.1988b Pulau Ubin 20 Mar 1988 N.A. In captivity; apparently taken on the ­island Anon.1988a Alexandra Park 29 Oct 1989 Night (02h00) On a fence Yeo 1989 Pulau Ubin: Sungei Maman mangroves 21 Feb 1992 N.A. Possible individual F. Hamid in Yeo & Lim 1992 as “civet cat” Pulau Ubin Between Apr and N.A. Uncommon resident based on surveys Subaraj 2000 Nov 1993 Pulau Ubin: Kampung Melayu 8 Apr 1993 N.A. At edge of secondary forest R. Subaraj in Anon. 1993 Central Catchment Nature Reserve Between Jun 1993 N.A.; 09h30; Five records within remnant agricultural Teo & Rajathurai 1997, and Jul 1997; 8 Jan morning & habitat along fringes of forest, one in Lower Lim et al. 2000 1995; 11 Mar 1995 night Peirce sector, one in sector, and three in Upper sector; ­Upper Se- letar sector: Mandai Range; Upper Seletar­ sector: Mandai Range forest – one juvenile in morning, one adult in night : Lucky Heights, off Upper East Coast Road Oct 1994, 21 May N.A. Three individuals trapped in roof space of The Straits Times 2 Jun 1995 and 29 May one house 1995, photos; Lim et al. 1995 2000 Sentosa Island: Mount Serapong Unknown, probably Night Two records of at base of Mount Serapong, Subaraj 1995 1995 species identification unconfirmed Pulau Ubin: valley between Surau and Bukit Be- 23 Jan 1999 N.A. Seen from observation hide B. Wee & company lukar Pulau Ubin: off Jalan Jelutong opposite Pekan 20 Mar 1999 Night (20h45) Seen in clump Members of VSG Quarry Pulau Ubin: near junction of Jalan Batu Ubin and 20 Mar 1999 Night (21h35) One adult with two cubs seen in papaya Members of VSG Jalan Noordin tree Pulau Ubin: off Jalan Noordin near National Police 23 May 1999 Night (01h00) In coconut palm Members of VSG Cadet Corps campsite Pulau Ubin: Jelutong Bridge 19 Aug 2000 Night (21h30) N.A. R. Teo & company Pulau Ubin: near Murai Hut 19 Aug 2000 Night (23h15) Feeding on figs of aurantiacea in a R. Teo & company rubber tree Pulau Ubin: Jalan Endut Senin, near base of Puaka 28 Oct 2000 Night (23h00) N.A. R. Teo & company Hill

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Location Date Time Habit when observed Observer/Reference Tanglin: Cluny Road, Singapore Botanic ­Gardens, 4 Feb 2001 Night (19h50) Spotted at roadside from car M. Strange & B. C. Ng road near underground car-park of National Parks Board headquarters building Upper Changi: Tanah Merah Besar Lane 23 Dec 2001 Night N.A. D. Yeo Portsdown Road area: Jalan Hang Jebat Dec 2002 Night In tree N. Baker Bukit Timah Nature Reserve: Cave Path 2 Oct 2003 N.A. In tree N. Lim & H. H. Tan Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve: behind ­Visitor 12 Apr 2003 Night (21h45) In clump of fishtail palm Caryota mitis at R. Subaraj & company Centre the end of mangrove boardwalk Upper East Coast Road: Kew Drive 1 Jul 2004 Night (23h00) In suburban garden on a Yellow Cane Palm V. D’Rozario Dypsis lutescens Nature Park 15 Oct 2004 Night Two on the ground and then climbing up K. W. Chan & N. Lim trees Bukit Timah Nature Reserve 26 Jul 2004 Night N.A. A. Yeo, photo Changi Point: Changi Beach Club 13 Apr 2005 Evening Walking along the top of a tennis court D. Yeo fence Upper East Coast Road: Kew Drive 27 May 2005; 20 Jun 07h00; 08h00; Juvenile on roof of house; very wet baby V. D’Rozario 2005; 14 Aug 2005; night; 20h00; climbed down Yellow Cane Palm; juvenile 28 Aug 2005; 3 Sep 20h00; 20h40 on mango tree; two juveniles in juniper 2005; 16 Dec 2005 tree Juniperus; juvenile observed eating leaf buds of a tree with large leaves; a ­female with three kittens on mango tree Upper Jurong: forest patch next to Singapore Dis- 24 Feb 2006 Evening High up in tree R. Teo & company covery Centre : on the road shoulder head- 7 Jun 2006 Morning Large (2.75 kg) and almost intact carcass. Aminurashid bin Eksan ing toward BKE between lamp-posts 1226 and (08h30) Pelage was yellowish brown and the 1228 ­carcass had a strong pandan smell : just before junction of Mandai Lake 2 Sep 2006 Morning Badly crushed road-kill N. Abdullah Road at lamp-post 143 MacRitchie forest: MacRitchie Nature Trail, along 7 Mar 2007 Night Female N. Lim & K.W. Chan, boardwalk photo : near Newton Flyover 22 Mar 2007 Morning Road-kill ‘Cynthia’ (public record (08h30) contribution) Holland Road: next to forested patch opposite­ 19 May 2007 Evening Fresh road-kill K. C. Chuang, photo Maris Stella Kindergarten (17h50) Bukit Timah: Rebecca Road 11 Jul 2007 Night (20h20) One adult with five young observed climb- T. Schroter ing down a banyan tree in ­residential area Pulau Ubin: main jetty, near information kiosk 28 Oct 2007 Dusk N.A. R. Tan & company Chestnut Forest 8 Nov 2007 Evening One, perhaps two, seen resting high up in N. Baker trees Jalan Kembangan 28 Nov 2007 N.A. Caught in a garden, in a cat trap R. Ng Upper East Coast Road: Kew Drive 20 Jan 2008 Night (20h15) Two medium-sized individuals observed in V. D’Rozario a suburban garden Ulu Pandan: Holland Road, at about 20 m from 6 Feb 2008 Early morning Female road-kill H. T. W. Tan & S. S. N. junction of Tan Boon Chong Avenue, towards Hol- Tan. Specimen (ZRC land Village 4.8182) deposited at Raf- fles Museum [see text] Tanglin: Nassim Road: on grass verge ­opposite the 16 Apr 2008 N.A. Adult female road-kill D. Boxall Philippine Embassy Siglap: Frankel Avenue Sep 2008 N.A. “One group” reported residing “on top” of W. Chan a house Bedok: Taman Bedok 3 Sep 2008 Dawn (06h30) Sighted in the backyard of a house H. C. Chin Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve: behind the visitor 5 Sep 2008 Evening N.A. C. Goh & company, centre photo Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve: behind the visitor 3 Oct 2008 Evening At least one sighted in a clump of bamboo S. H. Chan & company centre (Continued)

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Location Date Time Habit when observed Observer/Reference Pulau Ubin: compound of Outward Bound School 17 Dec 2008 Night (21h00) Adult and one young M. Chua & company Pulau Ubin 12 Feb 2009 Night (01h30) N.A. R. Teo, photo Pulau Ubin 17 Feb 2009 Night N.A. M. Chua & V. D’Rozario Mandai Road: 300 m towards Upper 23 Mar 2009 Morning Road-kill R. Lim ­Thomson Road after junction with access (08h00) road to Mandai Columbarium Bukit Timah Nature Reserve: main road to 26 Mar 2009 Night (21h00) On right side of road, then bounded off T. M. Leong & company summit before Keruing Hut down slope to the side Nee Soon Swamp-forest: pipeline trail 7 May 2009 Night (19h30 & First one in forest off pipeline and second M. Chua & company 20h30) one before pipeline trail Tanglin area: Ridley Park 17 May 2009 Night (21h00) In suburban garden F. Thomas Bukit Timah Nature Reserve: Lasia Valley, 15 Aug 2009 Night In tree S. H. Yeo & V. D’Rozario, Senapang Road photo Portsdown Road: near gate of Tanglin School 25 Aug 2009 N.A. Dead example on roadside J. Bromley Bartley: Bidadari 28 Aug 2009 Night One in tree in wooded former cemetery M. Chua Bukit Timah Nature Reserve: Catchment Path 26 Sep 2009 Night In tree K. W. Chan, photo Bukit Timah Nature Reserve: Jungle Fall Path, 7 Nov 2009 Night In tree S. H. Yeo & B. C. Ng about 30 m from main road Changi Point: , tree area behind 10 Oct 2009 Night (01h30) One on grass lawn observed climbing W. Remahl Apartment Block 5 and next to Apartment up a tree to join another Block 21 Bukit Timah Nature Reserve 6 Mar 2010 Night One in tree in strip of vegetation along the K. W. Chan & M. Chua, opposite Catch- photos ment Pond; another at Jungle Fall Path Labrador Park 29 Mar 2010 Night (21h00) On ground along a path in the forest patch, T. M. Leong & Amin apparently feeding on emerging cicadas 11 Jun 2010 Night (19h45) One adult with three young S. H. Yeo Tanglin: Cluny Road, in front of Eusoff College 29 Sep 2010 Night (22h35) Observed crossing road D. Yeo Upper East Coast Road: Kew Drive 15 Jan 2011 Night (22h20) In a suburban garden V. D’Rozario, photo Bedok: Eastwood Drive 7 Jun 2011 Day On a wooden beam under the attap K. French, photo roof (thatched with nipah palm) of a suburban house verandah, appeared unafraid of humans, and was on the beam all afternoon, disappearing in the early evening Western Catchment: Murai 8 May 2012 Night One in tree near Murai Reservoir M. Chua & company

Viverra tangalunga Mandai Track 16 Before 1969 N.A. Reported to be common in this rural area, Anon.1988b but species identification uncertain Central Catchment Nature Reserve: Upper Early 1990s N.A. Unconfirmed record. May be V. zibetha Vasantha in Teo & Seletar sector ­Rajathurai 1997 Pulau Tekong Feb 1991 N.A. Observed regularly near Camp, but K. W. Li in Yeo 1991 species identification uncertain. May V.be zibetha Central Catchment Nature Reserve: 4–10 Jan 2012 Night (during Camera-trapped consuming carrion bait. Lim & Ou Yang 2012 ­MacRitchie Reservoir forest 23h52 – 05h56) From the images, it appeared that only one (Fig. 3) individual was photographed Viverra zibetha Jalan Bahar May 1990 N.A. Trapped by a farmer Sin Min Daily News 14 May 1990, Anon. 1990 The locations of these records, except that of the escaped Binturong, are marked on Fig. 1.

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