Eupleres

Eupleres is a genus of viverrid mammals native to Madagascar. The genus contains a single extant species, Eupleres goudotii, commonly known as the Malagasy civet or fosa minor. There is also a fossil species, Eupleres major, known from subfossil remains. Eupleres are small, slender carnivores with long bodies, short legs, and bushy tails. They have a brownish-grey coat, with darker markings on their face and legs. Their diet consists mainly of small invertebrates, such as insects and earthworms, but they will also eat small vertebrates and fruit. Eupleres are solitary animals, and are primarily nocturnal. They are found in a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, and wetlands. The genus Eupleres is thought to have diverged from other viverrid lineages during the early Miocene. The fossil record of Eupleres is sparse, but it suggests that the genus was once more widespread than it is today. The extant species, Eupleres goudotii, is currently listed as endangered by the IUCN. Its main threats are habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as hunting. Conservation efforts are underway to protect this unique Malagasy carnivore.