Little is known about Dologale dybowskii. In fact, in 1989, Schreiber noted that there had been no sightings for 10 years (Nowak, 1999). This lack of sightings may be due to the fact that Dologale dybowskii is often hiding and or perhaps the lack of researchers in its habitat (Kingdon, 1979). Nevertheless, research concerning Dologale dybowskii must be greatly accelerated if this species is to be studied before it becomes extinct.
Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical
US Migratory Bird Act: no special status
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: data deficient
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There has been no direct evidence linking Dologale dybowskii to any ecosystem roles. However, due to its habitat and hypothesized food behavior, one may assume that Dologale dybowskii affects plant, vertebrate, and invertebrate populations.
The food habits of Dologale dybowskii are not certain. However, the large digging claws, as well as the lack of specialization of the teeth, suggests that it may eat fossorial invertebrates, including termites, and small vertebrates (Kingdon, 1997).
Animal Foods: insects
Primary Diet: carnivore (Eats terrestrial vertebrates, Insectivore )
Dologale dybowskii is found in Africa in the Central African Republic, northeast Zaire, southern Sudan, and throughout western Uganda (Nowak, 1999).
Biogeographic Regions: ethiopian (Native )
Dologale dybowskii has a wide range of habitats ranging from the shores of Lake Albert to the forest grasslands of the Imatong Mountains. It has also been spotted in the savanna forests of Mubende and is therefore, often referred to as the African Savanna Mongoose (Kingdon, 1979).
Habitat Regions: tropical
Aquatic Biomes: lakes and ponds
Dologale dybowskii is a relatively small mongoose with brown fur covering its body and limbs. Its tail is bushy and is also brown. Both its underparts and face are gray with the latter being darker. Its claws on its forefeet are robust and powerful (Kingdon, 1997).
The head to body length of this African mongoose ranges from 25 to 33 cm while the tail length ranges from 16 to 23 cm. The hind leg is approximately 5.5 cm and its weight ranges from 300 to 400 grams (Kingdon, 1979).
Dologale dybowskii is sometimes confused with the dwarf mongoose Helogale due to their similar size and appearance. However, Helogale has a groove in its upper lip that Dologale dybowskii lacks (Kingdon, 1979). Furthermore, Dologale dybowskii has a shorter palate and weaker teeth than Helogale (Kingdon, 1997).
Range mass: 300 to 400 g.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
No information available (Hayssen, van Tienhoven, and van Tienhoven, 1993).
Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual
Pousargues's mongoose (Dologale dybowskii), also known as the African tropical savannah mongoose, is a mongoose native to Central Africa. It is listed as data deficient on the IUCN Red List as little is known about its distribution and ecology.[1] It is the only species in the genus Dologale.[2]
Up to the late 20th century, it was known from only around 30 zoological specimens in natural history museum collections.[2]
The Pousargues's mongoose is brown with a grey belly and face. Its tail is bushy, and its front feet have strong claws. Its body length is between 25 and 33 cm (10 and 13 in) with a 16–23 cm (6.5–9 in) long tail.[2]
In 1893, Eugène de Pousargues first described the Pousargues's mongoose on the basis of zoological specimens collected in 1892 near the Kémo River. The type locality corresponds to the former French garrison founded by the Dybowski Mission close to the settlement of Fort de Possel. It is named in honor of Jean Dybowski who collected the specimens. It was initially subordinated to the genus Crossarchus,[3][4] but was later moved to its own genus, Dologale.[2]
A genetic study focused on Carnivora highlighted the Pousargues's mongoose to be the sister-species of the genus Helogale.[5]
The Pousargues's mongoose ranges from northern Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Central African Republic to western Uganda.[2]
Mongooses sighted and recorded by a camera-trap in 2011 and 2012 in the Central African Republic were preliminarily identified as Pousargues's mongoose.[6]
In 2013, a group of Pousargues's mongooses was observed near Lake Albert in Uganda's Semliki Wildlife Reserve.[7] In 2016, an individual was observed and photographed in Garamba National Park.[8]
Field research for the collection of basic data on its ecology is indispensable for designing adequate conservation measures.[2]
Pousargues's mongoose (Dologale dybowskii), also known as the African tropical savannah mongoose, is a mongoose native to Central Africa. It is listed as data deficient on the IUCN Red List as little is known about its distribution and ecology. It is the only species in the genus Dologale.
Up to the late 20th century, it was known from only around 30 zoological specimens in natural history museum collections.
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