Bokiboky

Active during the day, the Malagasy narrow-striped mongoose feeds mainly on insects, especially insect larvae, which it may dig up or excavate from rotting wood. During the rainy season, the diet is more varied, and includes small mammals, reptiles, birds' eggs, worms, snails, and other invertebrates (2) (3). To break open an egg or a snail shell, the Malagasy narrow-striped mongoose may lie on its side, grasping the object with all four feet, before throwing it until it breaks (3). Larger prey, such as small lemur species, may be hunted cooperatively (2). The Malagasy narrow-striped mongoose lives both in the trees and on the ground, and may spend the night in tree holes during the summer or in burrows during the dry winter (2) (3). It is also a good swimmer (3). The Malagasy narrow-striped mongoose is a social species, usually found in family groups of six to eight individuals, including adult males, adult females, juveniles and young (1) (2) (3). The group stays in contact using a series of short, repeated contact calls. During the winter, it may break up into smaller units, which include temporary pairs, maternal family groups, all-male groups, and solitary males (2) (3). If disputes arise, the bushy tail may be bristled and held erect as a threat (2). Breeding occurs between December and April, with the female giving birth to a single offspring after a gestation of 90 to 105 days. The young Malagasy narrow-striped mongoose is weaned at just two months old, but may remain with the female for up to two years (2) (3). The lifespan of this species is up to 12 years (8).

The Malagasy narrow-striped mongoose occurs in a few protected areas, including the Central Menabe provisional protected area, Kirindy Mitea National Park, Andranomena Special Reserve, and the privately-owned Analabe Reserve (1) (7). However, Andranomena Special Reserve consists entirely of degraded forest, and Kirindy Mitea is reported to be significantly affected by hunting (6). Suggested conservation measures to help protect the species include cooperative efforts with local communities to decrease the rate of forest destruction, as well as the establishment of further reserves. In particular, the status and distribution of M. d. lineata, and its relationship to M. d. decemlineata, needs further investigation (6) (7).

The Malagasy narrow-striped mongoose is a small carnivore with dense, grizzled, brownish-grey fur and a bushy, brush-like tail. Eight to twelve narrow, reddish-brown to dark brown stripes run along the back and sides of the body, from the shoulders to the base of the tail, giving the species its common name (2) (3) (4) (5). The underparts are a paler beige colour (2) (3), and there may be orange tinges around the legs (5). The tail is similar in colour to the upper body, but may be more grey, and flecked with lighter and darker areas (2). The muzzle is fairly pointed and the ears are rounded and quite prominent. The legs are quite delicate, and the toes, which bear longish claws, are partially webbed and have hairless soles (2) (3) (4). Two subspecies of Malagasy narrow-striped mongoose are recognised, with Mungotictis decemlineata lineata being darker, with a paler tail and more pronounced stripes, than Mungotictis decemlineata decemlineata (2) (5). However, M. d. lineata has only been described from two specimens, and its status as a subspecies is difficult to confirm (5).

M. d. decemlineata inhabits dry deciduous forest (1) (2) (7), while M. d. lineata is believed to occur in Didieraeceae and Euphorbiaceae thickets (2) (7), part of the Madagascan spiny forests of the south.

The Malagasy narrow-striped mongoose has a rather restricted distribution in western Madagascar, being endemic to the seasonal dry forests of the central and southern Menabe regions (1) (2) (6). M. d. decemlineata is thought to occur from the Tsiribihina River in the north to the Mangoky River in the south, while M. d. lineata is believed to occur further south, with the only known specimens thought to have been collected south of Toliara and from Lac Tsimanampetsotsa (1) (2) (7).

Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List (1).

The Malagasy narrow-striped mongoose is under threat from habitat destruction and fragmentation, as forests are logged and cleared for agriculture (1) (3) (6) (7). Although not thought to suffer from high levels of direct human persecution (3) (7), there have been reports of hunting of the species for food in some areas (6). Predation by domestic and feral dogs is also a problem, particularly where logging has opened up the forest and brought increased levels of human disturbance (1) (6).