Western falanouc
The western falanouc (Eupleres major ) is a rare mongoose-like mammal endemic to Madagascar. Until recently, the eastern falanouc (Eupleres goudotii ) was the only recognized species in the genus Eupleres. In 2010, Goodman and Helgen provided morphological evidence showing the two falanoucs are each a separate species and are found in separate geographical locations. E. major is larger and browner compared to E. goudotii and has a diet consisting mainly of invertebrates such as worms, snails, and slugs.
Knowledge of the western falanouc's ecology is limited, but its range is believed to be limited to dry deciduous forest, flooded palm savanna, and wetlands. E. major is known to occur in Ankarafantsika National Park and is believed to also be found in or near other local national parks and reserves. The main predators of the western falanouc are feral dogs and humans. E. major is currently listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species. Trade and use are currently unknown, but the population has dramatically decreased by 50% due to various factors such as hunting and ongoing habitat conversion and fragmentation. More research of E. major is needed to further understand the species and work on conservation efforts to protect the declining population.
Due to lack of research, little is known of the western falanouc's ecology. The number of mature individuals is currently unknown. According to the IUCN, generation time of E. major averages around 7.9 years. They inhabit dry deciduous forest on the edges of wetlands as well as flooded palm savanna near the forest. The wetlands they can be found in include bogs, marshes, swamps, fens, and peatlands. Their diet tends to consist of mainly worms, slugs, snails, and other invertebrates. The main predators of this species are feral dogs and humans.
