| Tonkin weasel | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Suborder: | Caniformia |
| Family: | Mustelidae |
| Genus: | Mustela |
| Species: | M. tonkinensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Mustela tonkinensis (Björkegren, 1941) | |
The Tonkin weasel or Vietnamese mountain weasel (Mustela tonkinensis) is a species of weasel from Vietnam. The species was described by Swedish biologist Berkil Björkegren in 1941, from a single specimen obtained in Vietnam in 1939. It was classified as a subspecies of common weasel until 2007, when it was re-classified as a separate species. It is not classified in the IUCN Red List and is listed as data deficient.
Taxonomy
Tonkin weasel is a species in the weasel family of Mustelidae.[1][2] The species was described by Swedish biologist Berkil Björkegren in 1941, from a specimen obtained in Vietnam in January 1939. While describing the species, Björkegren described the species as being closely related to the common weasel. It was classified as a subspecies of the same subsequently by various zoologists. It was distinguished as a separate species on the basis of skull differences in 2007.[3]
Distribution and habitat
Tonkin weasel is found only in Vietnam.[4] It supposedly inhabits the low altitude ranges of the Hoang Lien mountains in Vietnam.[3] As of 2015, it is not classified in the IUCN Red List and is listed as data deficient.[4]
Morphology and behaviour
Tonkins' weasel is a medium-sized weasel with a body length of up to 200–243 mm (7.9–9.6 in), and tail length of 90–92 mm (3.5–3.6 in).[3][5] It has a longer tail compared to the common weasel.[3] The body is covered with brown colored fur, with the under parts predominantly white in colour, and a clear demarcation line between the two.[3][5] It has a large skull measruing about 36.2 mm (1.43 in) at the base.[3] Tonkin's weasel is not thought to be a better climber, and mainly preys on insects and small rodents on the ground.[3]
References
- ↑ "Mustela tonkinensis". Catalogue of Life. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ↑ "Mustela tonkinensis". Mammal diversity. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Alexei V. Abramov (2006). "Taxonomic remarks on two poorly known South-east Asian weasels (Mustelidae, Mustela)". Small Carnivore Conservation. 34–35.
- 1 2 "Mustela tonkinensis (Tonkin Weasel)". IUCN. 3 March 2015.
- 1 2 A.V. Abramov; G.F. Baryshnikov (2000). Geographic variation and intraspecific taxonomy of weasel Mustela nivalis (Carnivora, Mustelidae) (PDF) (Report). Zoological Institute, St.Petersburg.
