macrognathus pentophthalmos , the sri lanka five-eyed spiny eel , is a small fish endemic to sri lanka .

it usually is found in running and stagnant waters of freshwater and brackish waters .

it is 19.5 cm ( 7.7 in ) in length .

recently , researches have shown that species once considered to be macrognathus aral in sri lanka , is actually a separate species , macrognathus pentophthalmos .

macrognathus pentophthalmos

figure 5 in the sri lankan spiny eel , macrognathus pentophthalmos ( teleostei : mastacembelidae ) , and . . .
figure 3 in the sri lankan spiny eel , macrognathus pentophthalmos ( teleostei : mastacembelidae ) , and . . .
figure 4 in the sri lankan spiny eel , macrognathus pentophthalmos ( teleostei : mastacembelidae ) , and . . .
the sri lankan five - eyed spiny eel , macrognathus pentophthalmos ( teleostei : mastacembelidae ) , and it . . .
dorsal spines ( total ) : 19 - 22 ; dorsal soft rays ( total ) : 50 - 57 ; anal spines : 3 ; anal soft rays : 47 - 54 ; vertebrae : 74 - 76 . belongs to the member of the macrognathus aculeatus group but distinguished from all other species of the this group by the following combination of characters : 15 - 17 rostral tooth plates ; 19 - 22 dorsal - fin spines ; and large ( eye size ) black blotches along dorsal fin . differs from its other indian congeners of the macrognathus aculeatus group as follows : from macrognathus aral , macrognathus pentophthalmos and macrognathus morehensis by the presence of dorsal fin blotches ( vs . white rimmed dorsal fin ocelli ) , from macrognathus aral and macrognathus pentophthalmos by having 15 - 17 rostral tooth plates ( vs . 19 - 27 ) ; and also from macrognathus pentophthalmos and macrognathus morehensis by having 19 - 22 dorsal - fin spines ( vs . 11 - 16 ) and from macrognathus morehensis by having 15 - 17 rostral plates ( vs . 8 - 11 ) ( ref . 83418 ) .
figure 5 . reproduction of plate 10 , fig . 1 of willughby ( 1686 ) : ‘ pentophthalmos’ .
the sri lankan population of the spiny eel previously assigned to macrognathus aral schneider ( teleostei : mastacembelidae ) is shown to be a distinct species , for which the name m . pentophthalmos gronow is available . macrognathus pentophthalmos is distinguished from its closest congener , m . aral , by having 14 - 16 dorsal spines and a pre - dorsal length of 43 . 3 - 46 . 8 % of standard length ( sl ) ( vs . . . . [ show full abstract ]
pethiyagoda , r . silva , a . maduwage , k & kariyawasam , l . 2008 . the sri lankan spiny eel , macrognathus pentophthalmos ( teleostei : mastacembelidae ) , and its enigmatic decline . zootaxa , 1931 : 37 - 48 . : urltoken
figure 2 . radiographs of a , macrognathus pentophthalmos , nmsl ff 137 , 174 mm sl ; b , m . aral , zmb 1420 ( lectotype ) , 214 mm sl ( courtesy of museum für naturkunde , berlin ) ; c , m . aral , wht 7510 ( topotype ) , 154 mm sl .
figure 4 . former distribution of macrognathus pentophthalmos in sri lanka , based on senanayake , 1980 ( black dots ) ; willey , 1910 ( green dot ) ; deraniyagala , 1932 ( blue triangles ) ; and material in the national museum of sri lanka , colombo ( red dots ) , indicating also the 500 m and 1 , 000 m contours .
figure 3 . lateral views of indian species of macrognathus . a , m . aral , wht 7510 ( topotype ) , 154 mm sl . b , m . guentheri , wht 7644 , 156 mm sl .
britz , r . , 2009 . species of the macrognathus aculeatus group in myanmar with remarks on m . caudiocellatus ( teleostei : synbranchiformes : mastacembelidae ) . ichthyol . explor . freshwat . 20 ( 4 ) : 295 - 308 . ( ref . 83418 )
britz , r . ( 2009 ) species of the < i > macrognathus aculeatus < / i > group in myanmar with remarks on < i > m . caudiocellatus < / i > ( teleostei : synbranchiformes : mastacembelidae ) . : ichthyol . explor . freshwat . 20 ( 4 ) : 295 - 308 .
html public
- / / w3c / / dtd xhtml 1 . 0 transitional / / en
urltoken
your web browser is not enabled for javascript . some features of worldcat will not be available .
your list has reached the maximum number of items . please create a new list with a new name ; move some items to a new or existing list ; or delete some items .
note : citations are based on reference standards . however , formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study . the specific requirements or preferences of your reviewing publisher , classroom teacher , institution or organization should be applied .
the e - mail address ( es ) field is required . please enter recipient e - mail address ( es ) .
the e - mail address ( es ) you entered is ( are ) not in a valid format . please re - enter recipient e - mail address ( es ) .
i thought you might be interested in this item at urltoken title : zootaxa . publisher : auckland , n . z . : magnolia press , 2001 - isbn / issn : 1175 - 5326 oclc : 49030618
please choose whether or not you want other users to be able to see on your profile that this library is a favorite of yours .
an international journal of zootaxonomy .
title from cover . some issues also have distinctive titles .
you may have already requested this item . please select ok if you would like to proceed with this request anyway .
worldcat is the world ' s largest library catalog , helping you find library materials online . learn more ››
don ' t have an account ? you can easily create a free account .
according to the available literature on sri lankan freshwater fish fauna , there are 91 indigenous species occurs in inland water bodies of the country . 50 of those indigenous species are endemic to the sri lanka . there are 8 more marine and brackish water fish species that sometimes enter fresh water streams and at least another 24 of exotic species introduced accidentally or deliberately ( for the inland fisheries industry and as mosquito larvivores by anti - malariya campaign ) .
deraniyagala p . e . p ( 1929 ) ceylon sardines . spolia zeylanica , 15 ( 1 ) : 31 - 47 .
deraniyagala p . e . p ( 1929 ) two new freshwater fishes . spolia zeylanica , 15 ( 2 ) : 73 - 77 .
deraniyagala p . e . p ( 1937 ) malpulutta kretseri - a new genus and species of fish from ceylon spolia zeylanica , 20 ( 3 ) : 351 - 353 .
deraniyagala p . e . p ( 1943 ) a new cyprincid fish from ceylon . journ . roy . asi . soc . ( c . b . ) 35 ( 96 ) : 158 - 159 .
deraniyagala , p . e . p . ( 1952 ) a coloured atlas of some vertebrates from ceylon . vol . 1 : fishes . national museums of ceylon , colombo : pp . 41 - 42 .
deraniyagala p . e . p . ( 1958 ) three new cyprincids : a new cat - fish and vaiations among some cyprinoids and an anabantoid of ceylon spolia zeylanica , 28 ( 2 ) : 129 - 138 .
gans c . & bailey r . m . 1998 . two new synbranchid fishes , monopterus roseni from peninsular india and m . desilvai from sri lanka . occ .
papers of the mus . of zoology . the university of michigan . 726 : 1 - 18 .
kottelat m . & pethiyagoda r . ( 1989 ) schismatogobius deraniyagalai , a new goby from sri lanka : description and field observations .
kottelat m . & pethiyagoda r . ( 1990 ) , danio pathirana , a new species of cyprinid fish endemic to southern sri lanka , ichthyol explor .
kottelat , m . & r . pethiyagoda , ( 1991 ) . description of three new species of cyprinid fishes from sri lanka . in : pethiyagoda , r . , freshwater
fishes of sri lanka . wildlife heritage trust of sri lanka , colombo . pp . 299–313 .
explor . freshwaters , vol 19 no 2 , pp . 141 - 152 .
pethiyagoda r , kottelat m . , silva a . , maduwage k . , meegaskumbura m . ( 2008 ) . a review of the genus laubuca in sri lanka , with description of
three new species ( teleostei : cyprinidae ) i chthyol explor . freshwaters , vol 19 no . 1 , pp . 7 - 26 .
pethiyagoda r , silva a . , maduwage k . , meegaskumbura m . ( 2008 ) . puntius kelumi , a new species of cyprinid fish from sri lanka ( teleostei :
cyprinidae ) , ichthyol explor . freshwaters , vol 19 no . 3 , pp . 201 - 214 .
pethiyagoda r , silva a . , maduwage k . ( 2008 ) mystus ankutta . a new catfish from sri lanka ( teleostei : bagridae ) . ichthyol . explor . freshwater ,
freshwater fishes in sri lanka . in : the national red list 2012 of sri lanka ;
conservation status of the fauna and flora . weerakoon , d . k . & s . wijesundara eds . ,
senanayake , f . r . , ( 1985 ) barbus srilankensis , a new species of cyprinid fish from sri lanka . ceylon journal of science ( biological science ) ,
cyprinidae ) , ichthyol explor . freshwaters , vol 21 , no . 1 , pp . 27 - 50 .
pethiyagoda r . , meegaskumbura m . & maduwage k . ( 2012 ) a synopsis of the south asian fishes referred to puntius ( pisces : cyprinidae ) . ichthyol . explor . freshwaters , vol . 23 , no . 1 , pp . 69 - 95 june 2012
deraniyagala p . e . p ( 1929 ) some anguilliform fishes of ceylon . spolia zeylanica , 15 ( 1 ) : 1 - 29 .
deraniyagala p . e . p ( 1929 ) labyrinthici of ceylon . spolia zeylanica , 15 ( 2 ) : 70 - 111
deraniyagala p . e . p ( 1930 ) the eventognathi of ceylon . spolia zeylanica , 16 ( 1 ) : 1 - 41
deraniyagala p . e . p ( 1930 ) the opisthomi of ceylon . spolia zeylanica , 16 ( 3 ) : 265 - 269 .
deraniyagala p . e . p ( 1930 ) the nematognathoidea of ceylon . spolia zeylanica , 16 ( 3 ) :
deraniyagala , p . e . p . ( 1952 ) a coloured atlas of some vertebrates from ceylon . vol . 1 : fishes . national museums of ceylon , colombo , 149 pp . ,
munro , i . s . r . , ( 1955 ) the marine and freshwater fishes of ceylon . department of external affairs , canberra . 349 pp . , 56 pls .
gunathilake s . ( 2007 ) sri lankawe miridiya masun ( text in sinhala ) , biodiversity secretariat - ministry of envroment .
gunawickrama k . b . s . 2008 . intraspecific variation in morphology and sexual dimorphism in punius singhala ( teleostei : cyprinidae ) , cey . j .
pethiyagoda , r . , ( 1991 ) freshwater fishes of sri lanka . wildlife heritage trust , colombo . xiv + 362 pp .
pethiyagoda , r . and kottelat , m . ( 2005 ) . a review of the barbs of the puntius filamentosus group ( teleostei : cyprinidae ) of southern india
and sri lanka . the raffles bulletin of zoology supplement 12 : 127 - 144 .
giant squirrel is distributed throughout the island in suitable habitats as three different subspecies . wet zone and highland subspecies . . .
common animal distributed throughout the island , inhabiting rocky outcrops and / or trees in the country side and roofs of houses in urban . . .
an indigenous perennial herb very common along roadsides , gardens , waste grounds , scrub lands , forest margins , seashores and along stre . . .
common breeding resident of home gardens , cultivations , scrublands , forest edges of wet zone and dry forests throughout the island . it is . . .
රතු වා [ rathu wa ] / ceylon cassia / red cassia ( cassia . . .
in a few days i am getting ready to put on an exhibition of fine art prints and annotated maps at chennai’s dakshinachitra gallery . the show is entitled t . . .
pied kingfisher * ceryle rudis * ගෝමර පිළිහුඩුවා / මල් පිළිහුඩුවා this couple of birds were noted perching at a branch close to a small lake in kilinoc . . .
the last record of a sighting in sri lanka was 40 years ago in 1978 and for many years , birdwatchers in the country have been on the look - out for it here . . . .
nansen will address 38 - year gap in marine surveys . published on sundaytimes on urltoken
as we wrote earlier , our newly launched coexistence project seeks to find ways that people and elephants can continue to share space while meeting the need . . .
ohiya to kalupahana via devil ' s staircase - ඔහිය සිට කළුපහනට යක්ෂයාගේ පඩිපෙළ ඔස්සේ . . .
* english : * sri lankan krait * sinhala : * මුදු කරවලා [ mudu karawala ] * binomial : * * bungarus ceylonicus * bungarus ceylonicus ( sri lankan krait , මුදු කරවලා ) , is a . . .
i was doing my regular walk on a sunday in march 2018 and suddenly came across a pair of pied cuckoos . as this was a rare sight in colombo , i went and . . .
bar - headed goose – my 400 bird species in the country ! on 30th december morning i managed to see this beautiful goose at korakulam wetland in mannar . follo . . .
an informative article written by john wilson ( 30 . 10 . 17 ) the eastern reservoir catchment park duo is a term that i coined recently to collectively describ . . .
වයිරන් මුහුදු නයා හෙවත් ඉංග්‍රීසි භාෂාවෙන් annulated sea snake හෝ blue - banded sea snake යනුවෙන් හදුන්වන මෙම මුහුදු සර්පයා උග්‍ර විෂ සහිත සර්පයෙකි . ශ්‍රී ලං . . .
description : the fish is dull brown colored , dorsally darker . two raws of dark blotches are apparent on the sides . size : upto 4cm * habitat : * the ornate pa . . .
this picture was taken from mihinthale , ancient buddhist monastery . it is situated on top of a hill and the view from here is absolutely stunning . farawa . . .
* daily update - 04 may 2016 ( 22 items ) - http : / / srilankangreens . blogspot . com * covered : divaina , rivira , the island and daily news ( online versions only ) ( . . .
මෙම කෙටි ලිපිය සඳහා පාදක වූයේ 2014 වන වර්ෂයේ ජනවාරි මස සිදුවූ සර්ප දෂ්ටනයකි . මල් කරවලා නැත්නම් නිහලුවා යනු natricidae කුලයේ ( family ) natricinae උප කුලයට ( su . . .
* ( from bambarella through kalupahana along kalu - ganga to rambukoluwa and pallegama ) * continuing from the hike of my life - 4 days in the knuckles range ( pa . . .
so much fun stuff going on at urltoken including rolling out results from the last few years of research . head over - - don ' t be shy !
*
networking for migratory birds
* * for more information visit www . worldmigratorybirdday . org *
in august , 2012 i guided a five - day abridged version of my absolute birding tour . it was with ron and ben barkley , a farther son duo from the u . s . a . ben is . . .
for the beginner diver this is one of the most discomfiting times of a dive , the safety stop , 3 minutes at 5 meters with the aim of eliminating microbubbl . . .
in june 2003 , with thoughts typical of someone returning home after an absence of eighteen long years , i walked in again through the gates of the park hea . . .
the crested treeswift ( hemiprocne coronata ) is a kind of tree swift . the tree swifts are aerial near passerine birds , closely related to , but distinct fr . . .
html public
- / / w3c / / dtd xhtml 1 . 0 strict / / en
urltoken
greek , makros = great + greek , gnathos = jaw ( ref . 45335 )
maturity : l m ? range ? - ? cm max length : 18 . 4 cm sl male / unsexed ; ( ref . 83418 )
phylogenetic diversity index ( ref . 82805 ) : pd 50 = 0 . 5000 [ uniqueness , from 0 . 5 = low to 2 . 0 = high ] .
bayesian length - weight : a = 0 . 00302 ( 0 . 00138 - 0 . 00659 ) , b = 2 . 91 ( 2 . 72 - 3 . 10 ) , in cm total length , based on lwr estimates for this ( sub ) family - body shape ( ref . 93245 ) .
trophic level ( ref . 69278 ) : 3 . 3 ±0 . 4 se ; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
resilience ( ref . 69278 ) : high , minimum population doubling time less than 15 months ( preliminary k or fecundity . ) .
vulnerability ( ref . 59153 ) : low vulnerability ( 23 of 100 ) .
: missing argument 2 for checkecotox ( ) , called in / var / www / html / summary / speciessummary . php on line 1995 and defined in
: missing argument 3 for checkecotox ( ) , called in / var / www / html / summary / speciessummary . php on line 1995 and defined in
for full functionality of researchgate it is necessary to enable javascript . here are the instructions how to enable javascript in your web browser .
eol content is automatically assembled from many different content providers . as a result , from time to time you may find pages on eol that are confusing .
to request an improvement , please leave a comment on the page . thank you !
html public
- / / w3c / / dtd html 4 . 01 transitional / / en
urltoken
javascript is turned off in your web browser . please turn it on to take full advantage of arctos , or try our html specimensearch option .
new & recent described flora & fauna species from all over the world esp . asia , oriental , indomalayan & malesiana region
wuodendron b . xue , y . h . tan & chaowasku wuodendron praecox ( hook . f . & thomson ) b . xue , y . h . tan & x . l . hou in xue , tan . . .
[ botany • 2017 ] begonia fulgurata | ดาดดารารัศมี • a new species ( sect . diploclinium , begoniaceae ) from chiang mai , northern thailand
begonia fulgurata c . - i peng , c . w . lin & phutthai ดาดดารารัศมี | | doi : 10 . 3767 / blumea . 2017 . 62 . 03 . 01 urltoken be . . .
chamaelirium viridiflorum l . wang , z . c . liu & w . b . liao in liu , feng , wang & liao , 2018 . doi : 10 . 11646 / phytotaxa . 357 . . . .
great - billed seed - finch sporophila maximiliani ( cabanis , 1851 ) in ubaid , silveira , medolago , et . al . , 2018 . doi : 10 . 11646 / . . .
endocerids with their filtering apparatus in mironenko , 2018 . doi : 10 . 1080 / 08912963 . 2018 . 1491565 reconstruction by andre . . .
aristolochia tongbiguanensis j . y . shen , q . b . gong & s . landrein in gong , landrein , xi , et al . , 2018 . doi : 10 . 6165 / tai . . . .
bagualosaurus agudoensis pretto , langer & schultz , 2018 doi : 10 . 1093 / zoolinnean / zly028 illustration : jorge blanco c . . .
the hypothetical phylogenetic relationships of ceratosaurs based on current topologies . the main source is from wang et al . ( 2016 . . .
nipponosaurus sachalinensis nagao , 1936 in takasaki , chiba , kobayashi , et al . , 2018 ニッポノサウルス | | doi : 10 . 1080 / 08912963 . 2017 . . . .
begonia medogensis jianw . li , y . h . tan & x . h . jin in li , tan , wang , et al . , 2018 . doi : 10 . 3897 / phytokeys . 103 . 25392 . . .
[ palaeontology • 2006 ] rapid asia - europe - north ame . . .
[ botany • 2009 ] hoya baishaensis • a new species ( . . .
[ botany • 1999 ] sonerila tenera • sonerila roxb . ( . . .
[ botany • 2011 ] impatiens parvisepala s . x . yu & y . . . .
[ botany • 2008 ] impatiens pachycaulon m . f . newman • . . .
[ botany • 2009 ] new thai impatiens ( iii ) • ชมพูสิร . . .
[ botany • 2009 ] new thai impatiens ( ii ) • เทียนพระ . . .
[ botany • 2009 ] new thai impatiens ( i ) • ม่วงกาญจน . . .
[ botany • 1979 ] thai impatiens • a comment on the . . .
on this day ( july 10th ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
anomaloglossus meansi : a new species of cryptic forest frog from the wokomung and ayanganna sky islands of southern guyana .
the benefits and costs of academic travel . or
there and back again ; again and again
canon renueva su gama de 70 - 200 mm f : 2 . 8 y f : 4
plants go extinct , but sometimes species are rediscovered . this one after 151 years .
i ' m killing antediluvian salad but even in death there is rebirth . . .
necps carnivorous plant show : sept . 9 - 10 at tower hill botanical garden
this is a particularly beautiful species of centrolenid - the granular glass frog , cochranella granulosa .
our website has detected that you are using an outdated insecure browser that will prevent you from using the site . we suggest you upgrade to a modern browser .
froese , r . & d . pauly ( editors ) . ( 2018 ) . fishbase . world wide web electronic publication .


mosopia is a genus of moths of the noctuidae family .

it is found in south-east asia , including thailand , borneo and malaysia .

the genus was first described by francis walker in 1866 from a specimen in the british museum .

the specimen walker describes was from penang in malaysia .

walker gave mosopia megaspila as a type species .

this species has a wingspan of 39 millimetres ( 1.5 in ) with a large distinctive black spot in the middle of each forewings ( hence the name megaspila , which means " large spotted " ) .

there are three other species classified under the mosopia genus .

mosopia

mosopia eudoxusalis ; [ poole ] ; [ mob17 ] , 59 , f . 138 , 154 , pl . 2
mosopia megaspila walker , [ 1866 ] ; list spec . lepid . insects colln br . mus . 34 : 1188 ; tl : penang
genus : mosopia walker , 1866 . list spec . lepid . insects colln br . mus . ( 34 ) : 1187 . [ bhl ]
type - species : mosopia megaspila walker , 1866 . list spec . lepid . insects colln br . mus . : 1188 . [ bhl ]
mosopia kononenkoi holloway , 2008 ; moths of borneo 17 : 60 , f . 139 , 153 , pl . 2 ; tl : sabah , brumas
mosopia megaspila ; holloway , 1976 , moths of borneo with special reference to mt . kinabalu : 40 ; [ poole ] ; [ mob17 ] , 58 , f . 142 , 152 , pl . 2
mosopia pallidusalis holloway , 2008 ; moths of borneo 17 : 59 , f . 137 , 157 , pl . 2 ; tl : sarawak , gunong mulu nat . park , r . g . s . exped .
html public
- / / w3c / / dtd html 4 . 01 transitional / / en
urltoken
type specimens : holotype - male [ west malaysia ] : [ malaya ] , penang , ( bmnh , london ) . .
we use cookies to optimise your experience when using this site . view our cookie policy and our new privacy notice .
bertula sp . ; kononenko & pinratana , 2005 , moths of thailand 3 : pl . 1 , f . 33
trotosema sordidum butler , 1879 ; ann . mag . nat . hist . ( 5 ) 4 ( 24 ) : 449 ; tl : near yokohama
[ maps ] warning ! the maps are automatically generated from the textual information , and the process does not always produce acceptable result ; see about maps for more info .
list of the specimens of lepidopterous insects in the collection of the british museum . supplement
walker , [ 1866 ] list of the specimens of lepidopterous insects in the collection of the british museum list spec . lepid . insects colln br . mus . 31 : 1 - 322 ( [ 1865 ] ) , 32 : 323 - 706 ( 1865 ) , 33 : 707 - 1120 ( 1865 ) , 34 : 1121 - 1534 ( [ 1866 ] ) , 35 : 1535 - 2040 ( 1866 )
if you have corrections , comments or information to add into these pages , just send mail to markku savela keep in mind that the taxonomic information is copied from various sources , and may include many inaccuracies . expert help is welcome .
confused by a class within a class or an order within an order ? please see our brief essay .
to cite this page : myers , p . , r . espinosa , c . s . parr , t . jones , g . s . hammond , and t . a . dewey . 2018 . the animal diversity web ( online ) . accessed at https : / / animaldiversity . org .
disclaimer : the animal diversity web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students . adw doesn ' t cover all species in the world , nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe . though we edit our accounts for accuracy , we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts . while adw staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable , we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control .
this material is based upon work supported by the national science foundation grants drl 0089283 , drl 0628151 , due 0633095 , drl 0918590 , and due 1122742 . additional support has come from the marisla foundation , um college of literature , science , and the arts , museum of zoology , and information and technology services .
our website has detected that you are using an outdated insecure browser that will prevent you from using the site . we suggest you upgrade to a modern browser .
nomenclator zoologicus . a list of the names of genera and subgenera in zoology from the tenth edition of linnaeus , 1758 to the end of 2004 . digitised by ubio from vols . 1 - 9 of neave ( ed . ) , 1939 - 1996 plus supplementary digital - only volume . urltoken ( as at 2006 ) .
encyclo . co . uk , online since 2007 , is a search engine for english meanings and definitions . the website aims to publish all wordlists , big and small , on the internet , making it much easier to find the word you need . follow us on facebook
a taxon identifier is composed of name , author , year and attribute , all separated by a blank . these are all extracted from the original publication .
the name is reproduced exactly as proposed in the original publication . the name of a genus is made up of one word and species made up of two words ( genus and species ) separated by a blank .
the author ' s name is made up of a string of letters , with no blanks , and multiple authors ' names are separated by a comma . spelling of author ' s name is based on the original publication . if there are more than three authors , only the names of the first two authors are shown , followed by
, +
and the number of omitted authors .
attribute is enclosed in square brackets . this is rarely needed , but to differentiate homo - identifiers , this will contain the page , line or plate number of original publication .
all diacritic marks , hyphens , and apostrophes are eliminated , thus only the following characters are used : a to z , a to z , 0 to 9 , blank , comma , and opening and closing square brackets . although upper and lower cases are used for the convenience of human recognition , it is not case sensitive .
created by dicky sick ki yu 1997 - 2012 please send me information about errors and omissions ( contact information ) with supporting references , possibly with pdf or hard copy .


the least weasel ( mustela nivalis ) , or simply weasel in the uk , is the smallest member of the genus mustela and of the family mustelidae ( as well as the smallest of the carnivora ) , native to eurasia , north america and north africa , though it has been introduced to new zealand , australia , malta , crete , bermuda , madeira island , the azores , the canary islands , sao tome , the falkland islands , argentina and chile .

it is classed as being of least concern by the iucn , due to its wide distribution and presumed large population .

least weasels from various parts of its range vary greatly in size .

the body is slender and elongated and the legs and tail are relatively short .

the colour varies geographically , as does the pelage type and length of tail .

the dorsal surface , flanks , limbs and tail of the animal are usually some shade of brown while the underparts are white .

the line delineating the boundary between the two colours is usually straight .

at high altitudes and in the northern part of its range , the coat becomes pure white in winter .

eighteen subspecies are recognised .

small rodents form the largest part of the least weasel 's diet , but it also kills and eats rabbits , other mammals , and occasionally birds , birds ' eggs , fish and frogs .

males mark their territories with olfactory signals and have exclusive home ranges which may intersect with or include several female ranges .

least weasels use pre-existing holes to sleep , store food and raise their young .

breeding takes place in the spring and summer , and there is a single litter of about six kits which are reared exclusively by the female .

due to its small size and fierce nature , the least weasel plays an important part in the mythology and legend of various cultures .

least weasel

least weasel
wildlife explorer . international masters publishers ab , 1998 , usa .
the least weasel has wide distribution and presumed large population , but no estimate of population size is available for this species . currently the least weasel is classified as least concern ( lc ) and their numbers today remain stable .
the white winter fur of the least weasel glows a bright lavender color when under ultraviolet light .
to read more about weasel folklore and legends , check out the way of the weasel .
there are two species of weasels native to indiana : the long - tailed weasel ( mustela frenata ) and the least weasel ( mustela rixosa ) .
through much of its european range , the least weasel overlaps with the somewhat larger but otherwise similar stoat .
erratum to : origin and introduction history of the least weasel ( mustela nivalis ) on mediterranean a . . .
deep in the woods of the northeast asian deciduous forest roams the least weasel . its long slender body and sharp nails help this mammal hunt day and night . the least weasel is the smallest carnivore in the world . the least weasel ' s habitat consists of living in stone walls , hedges , farmland , and the woods . least weasels avoid deep forests , sandy deserts , and open spaces . male and female least weasels both have their own territory . females
lechleitner , r . r . 1954 . least weasel in glacier national park . j . mammal . 35 : 594 .
sundell , j . 2003 . reproduction of the least weasel in captivity : basic observations and the influence of food availability .
fictional weasel characters created within the fandom include supermegatopia ' s weasel boy and tracy kazaleh ' s shadow and miniver .
the species can also be differentiated by their tail ; the long - tailed weasel has a black tipped tail , while the tip of least weasel ' s tail is brown in summer .
= = predators and competitors = = the least weasel is small enough to be preyed upon by a range of other predators .
weasels are the most characteristic members of the zoological family mustelidae , which itself is commonly called the
weasel family
. the least weasel is the smallest member of the zoological order carnivora .
weasels are mammals in the genus mustela of the mustelidae family . originally , the name
weasel
was applied to one species of the genus , the european form of the least weasel .
the least weasel has a variety of habitats including meadows , fields , brushy areas , and open woods . it avoids dense forests .
because of its tiny size there is little commercial value in least weasel fur , though trapping one is thought to bring good luck .
as rodent predators , least weasels help maintain rodent populations . this is especially important in the tundra ecosystem , where least weasels help keep lemming populations in check . bird species in new zealand , where least weasels were introduced , are negatively affected by weasel predation , especially ground - dwelling
= = = predators and competitors = = = the least weasel is small enough to be preyed upon by a range of other predators .
the least weasel ' s diet consists of mice , rats , moles , small birds , bird ' s eggs , rabbits , and poultry . the least weasel ' s claws and sharp teeth help this animal to catch their prey . the least weasel is the smallest carnivore in the world . it can kill prey up to 5 times its own size . the least weasel ' s predators are large hawks and owls . this animal benefits our environment because it kills rodents to keep the population low . one way a least weasel helps itself survive in its environment is its coat and how it changes to blend in with the snow . the least weasel is not endangered but more of them are dying because the loggers are pushing them out of their home . this animal has basically no predators but because of its short life span its not overpopulated .
what ' s in a name ? the least weasel ( mustela nivalis ) is the smallest member of the weasel genus , mustela and indeed the smallest living carnivore . in britain it is known simply as the weasel , and this is the original use of the word .
least weasels are effective rodent predators . by preying on rodents , which can transmit disease , eat economically valuable crops , and cause extensive property damage , humans directly benefit both economically and health - wise from least weasels . trappers are also able to benefit from least weasels caught in traps set for larger animals . least weasel pelts are not very valuable in canada , but some weasel pelts are used as lining and trim on coats and mittens .
phylogeographic variation in two mustelines , the least weasel mustela nivalis and the ermine m . erminea of japan , based on mitochondrial dna control region sequences
named the least weasel ( mustela nivalis ) for its small size among weasels , it is still a proficient hunter throughout much of the northern hemisphere .
economic value the fur of the least weasel is seldom taken and is so small that it is of little or no value in the fur trade .
there are three species of weasels in minnesota , the short - tailed weasel ( mustela erminea ) , the long - tailed weasel ( mustela ( renata , and the least weasel . all belong to a family of mostly long , narrow
tube - shaped
animals in the family mustelidae .
in winter the coat of the least weasel turns entirely white . though soft , the fur lacks the silky elegance of the short - tailed weasel , or ermine , whose coat was coveted by native americans and european royalty .
in english - language popular culture in particular , the term ' weasel ' is associated with devious characters . a cartoon shown on cartoon network is entitled ' i am weasel ' , whose main character is a weasel . two pokémon are based on the weasel , buizel and floatzel .
beyond the
true weasels
comprising mustela , the name weasel also is used for various species in other genera in mustelidae , notably the patagonian weasel ( lyncodon patagonicus ) , the libyan striped weasel ( poecilictus libyca ) , and the white - naped weasel ( poecilogale albinucha ) .
stromberg , m . r . 1981 . new record of the least weasel in wyoming . prairie nat . 13 ( 2 ) : 45 - 46 .
constitute much of a least weasel’s diet in more southern populations ; almost 100 percent of a weasel ' s diet is made up of rodents if they are abundant . when rodents are scarce , least weasels will also feed upon birds’ eggs , lizards , amphibians , small fish , and invertebrates . rodents , especially
the least weasel , leads a solitary lifestyle except for when breeding . though the least weasel is sometimes visible in the daytime , it’s most active at night . both male and female least weasels defend their territories from others of the same sex , according to the minnesota department of natural resources . a single least weasel ' s territory can span up to 24 . 3 hectares , which they establish by giving off pungent odors from their anal glands . when threatened the least weaselit produces a loud , harsh chirp or screech , and assumes a
weasel war dance
. this dance is characterized by leaps , twists , barks , and arching of the back . when it’s with a mate or summoning young ones , it least weasels may produce a low trill . the least weasel is the world ' s smallest carnivore , and is preyed upon by such other , larger predators as snakes , hawks , owls , foxes , coyotes , and house cats .
to cite this page for personal use : least weasel . [ online ] . natural history notebooks . canadian museum of nature . last updated ( web site consulted
the fur of the least weasel fluoresces ( glows ) in ultraviolet light . weasels have voracious appetites , and the least weasel eats about 30 percent of its weight each day . because weasels have a high surface area to weight ratio , they conserve body heat in winter by curling into a ball and lowering their metabolism .
= = = territorial and social behaviours = = = the least weasel has a typical mustelid territorial pattern , consisting of exclusive male ranges encompassing multiple female ranges .
newell , toni lynn .
mustela nivalis ( least weasel ) : narrative
, urltoken m . _ nivalis $ narrative . html ( 12 / 02 )
comparative phylogeography of the endemic japanese weasel ( mustela itatsi ) and the continental siberian weasel ( m . sibirica ) , revealed by complete mitochondrial genome sequences
in addition to the better known species , there are a large number of exotic and obscure weasel species such as mustela sibirica ( the kolinsky , or siberian weasel ) and poecilogale albinucha ( the north african striped weasel ) .
though a ruthless hunter , the least weasel does play an important role in its surroundings . its feverish hunting reduces rodent population which benefits nearby agricultural fields . there is also no need to worry about overpopulation , especially in indiana . historical trapping , habitat loss and land development has kept the least weasel population small in our state for many years . the least weasel has a short lifespan , but it is also a species of special concern in the state as it is very rare . today , least weasels are only found in the grassy fields or marshes of northern indiana .
in the northern arctic regions , are vitally important for weasel reproductive success . least weasel reproduction is tightly interconnected with lemming abundance , as there are not many other prey species for northern populations of least weasels . northern populations of weasels cycle more apparently than those found in southern populations due to the strong food requirements placed upon lemmings , which also undergo population cycling ; however , least weasel populations naturally peak and subside , even with alternative food sources available , like populations in more southern regions .
, and other birds of prey , such as falcons , eagles , and hawks . least weasels may also be preyed upon by other larger weasel species , such as
as a small carnivore , the least weasel ' s main food sources are small rodents , such as mice , bank voles , and field voles . in a day , a least weasel can eat 1 to 1½ mice , totaling more than half of its own body weight . still , the least weasel is an opportunistic predator that will also eat small fish , birds , insects , lizards , and birds ' eggs . when the least weasel encounters its prey , it swiftly grabs it by the back of the head , and bites through its skull in quick succession . after about 30 seconds , the prey dies . after eating to its fill , least weasels store excess food in their burrow , to ensure that they have food for the future .
: the least weasel appears restricted to the northeast and north - central portions of the state . it is found most commonly in meadows and grasslands , reaching its greatest grasslands , reaching its greatest abundance in marshy areas , and is least common in woodlands .
breeding interval least weasels breed one to three times per year , depending on prey density .
least weasels are effective rodent predators . by preying on rodents , which can transmit disease , eat economically valuable crops , and cause extensive property damage , humans directly benefit both economically and health - wise from least weasels . trappers are also able to benefit , albeit not strongly , from least weasels caught as bycatch in traps set for larger fur - bearers . least weasel pelts do not have substantial economic value in canada , but some weasel pelts are used as lining and trim on garments such as luxury coats and mittens .
don ' t let his size fool you ! watch the least weasel take down his prey in this clip from the secret life of predators on the national geographic channel .
henttonen h . 1987 . the impact of spacing behaviour in microtine rodents on the dynamics of the least weasel & # x2014 ; a hypothesis . oikos 50 : 366–370 .
characteristics the least weasel is considerable smaller , with a very short tail , and males may measure up to 8 inches in length , while females measure about 6 inches .
the least weasel may have three to ten young , but averages five which may be born at any time of the year but most frequently are born in late winter .
mcdonald , r . a . 2013 . mustela nivalis least weasel ( common weasel ) / mustela subpalmata egyptian weasel . in : j . kingdon and m . hoffmann ( eds ) , the mammals of africa . volume v : carnivores , pangolins , equids and rhinoceroses , pp . 85 - 87 . bloomsbury publishing , london .
the coat of the least weasel , as with all weasels , will turn white in the winter . least weasels are found only in the northern part of the state and are more likely to turn completely white . species found in warmer climates will stay partially brown .
more general myths about the weasel are equally unkind to the poor little creature .
the kamaitachi (
sickle weasel
) is a supernatural japanese weasel which moves too fast to be seen and attacks by cutting its victims with a sickle .
blomquist l . , muuronen p . and rantanen v . 1981 . breeding the least weasel in helsinki zoo . zoologische garten n . f . , jena 51 : 363–368 .
least weasels are very aggressive and will defend their territory , attacking much bigger animals when necessary .
most interesting about the least weasel is that it is the smallest carnivore . it is amazing that something so small can kill something so much bigger than it can . its habitat and biome , the northeast asian deciduous forest , is endangered . the least weasels are fleeing from their homes and drowning in oceans trying to get away from the loggers . if we try to preserve the northeast asian deciduous forest we can help the least weasel from being extinct .
montana field guides , least weasel .
urltoken . montana natural heritage program & montana fish , wildlife and parks , n . d . web . 11 feb . 2013 .
length : the short - tailed weasel measures seven to 14 inches . the long - tailed weasel is slightly larger , about 16 inches , and has a longer tail .
the weasel pre - breeding season population is estimated to be 450 , 000 adults .
individuals adopting weasel persona characters include cargo , micole , sebkha , and silent red .
swanson , e . , and p . o . fryklund . 1935 . the least weasel in minnesota and its fluctuation in numbers . the american midland naturalist 16 : 120 - 126 .
while they are not considered rare in north america , least weasels are more common in europe and asia , and are not globally threatened . as a whole , populations of least weasels are considered stable .
and other livestock , there is little proof to suggest that least weasels prey upon any domestic livestock .
least weasels , as highly - skilled rodent predators , play an important role in maintaining or initiating cycles in rodent populations . rodent cycling is a vital component of the tundra ecosystem and specialized predators , such as least weasels , are helpful for keeping lemming populations in check . bird species in new zealand , where least weasels were introduced , are negatively affected by weasel predation , especially ground - dwelling
the long - tailed weasel is larger in size with males ranging anywhere from 14 to 16 inches long and weighing 3 to 7 ounces . least weasel males range from 8 to 9 inches long and weigh about 2 ounces . males of both species are larger than the females .
the least weasel ' s range in north america stretches from alaska southeast through canada and into the northcentral and northeastern united states , probably including the entire state of minnesota ( hazard 1982 ) . however , most records of this species in minnesota come from the northwestern portion of the state . once considered secure in the state , only one least weasel has been recorded in minnesota since 1967 despite extensive survey work in suitable habitats . competition from ermines ( mustela erminea ) , a related and more common weasel , may be a contributing factor to the rarity of least weasels . other factors which may pose a threat to this species include habitat and prey loss , poisoning , and predation . the least weasel was listed as a special concern species in minnesota in 1996 .
some people say the weasel is enchanted . some say it is very unlucky to destroy a weasel . here is a story i heard which was told to me as true .
the least weasel mustela nivalis and the ermine m . erminea of japan are considered relicts of the last glacial period . to study phylogeographic variation in these mustelines , fragments of the [ … ]
remember the open spaces under roof rafters and check for holes where siding has rotted—any opening big enough for a rat will give easy access to a least weasel , smallest of all true carnivores .
taxonomic status and origin of the egyptian weasel ( mustela subpalmata ) inferred from mitochondrial dna .
long , a . charles , weasel world book # 21 2000 by world book inc .
the least weasel becomes sexually mature at 3 - 4 months . their mating seasons are spring and summer with a gestation period lasting from 35 - 37 days . the least weasel has 3 - 10 babies , weighing 0 . 04 to 0 . 06 ounces , and are wrinkled , pink and naked . they have no abilities . the mother raises the young by herself while the father leaves right after mating . the baby least weasels are weaned at four to five weeks and the mother hunts for them until they are 4 weeks old . at that time the training of adulthood begin s . the least weasels are fully independent at 12 weeks old , at which time they leave their family . the least weasel ' s interval is its den and it is mostly solitary . these mammals live up to 2 years in the wild and up to 10 years in captivity . least weasels are active day and night .
and other avian livestock , there is little proof to suggest that least weasels prey upon any domestic livestock .
least weasels , like many other weasel species , are able to kill prey much larger than themselves , then store the remains . least weasels mostly hunt rodents , if they are available , almost 100 percent of their diet will be made up of rodents , however , they will not overlook an easy meal .
one employee thought he had the answer . in 1953 , roger m . latham wrote a letter to the journal of mammalogy [ pdf ] , announcing a “simple method for identification of least weasel . ”
how often does reproduction occur ? least weasels breed one to three times per year , depending on prey density .
least weasels and stoats looks very alike but can be told apart by the stoat’s tail having a black tip .
taxonomic status and origin of the egyptian weasel ( mustela subpalmata ) inferred from mitochondrial . . .
mi ' kmaq legends about two weasel - women who married stars , and their subsequent travels .
the egyptian weasel ( mustela subpalmata ) is a small mustelid with a distribution restricted to the lower nile valley and the nile delta . traditionally considered a subspecies of the least weasel ( m . nivalis ) , it is currently recognized as a separate species based on morphology . here we present the first genetic assessment of the taxonomic status of the egyptian weasel by comparing . . . [ show full abstract ]
all three species can be found state - wide , but the least weasel is the least abundant , especially in northeastern minnesota . weasels can be found anywhere that their main prey , mice , are found . typical habitats are grasslands , woodlots , and brush piles . weasels can also be found in firewood piles and garages .
the egyptian weasel ( mustela subpalmata ) is a small mustelid with a distribution restricted to the lower nile valley and the nile delta . traditionally considered a subspecies of the least weasel ( m . nivalis ) , it is currently recognized as a separate species based on morphology . here we present the first genetic assessment of the taxonomic status of the egyptian weasel by comparing mitochondrial dna ( cytochrome b gene and control region ) sequences to those of least weasels from the western palearctic , with a focus on the mediterranean region . our results provide no evidence to support the view that the egyptian weasel is genetically distinct from the least weasel , as we found that , for both cytochrome b and control region , haplotypes were shared between the two taxa . specifically , the cytochrome b and control region haplotypes detected in the egyptian weasel were also present in m . nivalis from turkey and malta , two populations genetically analysed here for the first time . our results suggest that the egyptian weasel is distinct from the least weasel populations currently living in the maghreb , which were inferred to be the result of an earlier colonization of north africa , but the genetic data alone do not allow us to determine whether the egyptian weasel is native or introduced . nevertheless , the observed genetic patterns , together with the weasel fossil record in israel and the unique commensal lifestyle of the egyptian weasel , are consistent with the hypothesis that the egyptian population is a relict of past range expansion from the levant into egypt . we suggest that the large size and characteristic sexual dimorphism of the egyptian weasel are likely to represent ecotypic variation , but genomic studies are required to clarify the extent of its functional genetic divergence .
nyholm , e . 1972 . weasel . pp . 187 - 199 in l siivonen , ed .
the weasel ( mustela nivalis ) is the smallest member of the mustelid family and britains smallest carnivore .
the long - tailed weasel is of economic importance , as many are taken by trappers each year .
it’s really very fascinating so for those of you who’d like to know more about weasel & taboo and the origins of the word ‘weasel’ in many different languages , you can read the pdf file here .
sexual maturity begins from 3 to 4 months for the female least weasel when food is plentiful . females sexually mature more rapidly , while males achieve maturity at around 8 or 9 months , according to animal diversity . breeding may occur all year round , though incidences of mating are less frequent during the winter . both sexes of least weasels will mate with multiple partners . males and females defend their territory when mating , but afterwards the male will leave to look for other females
in heat
. the least weasel ' s gestation period lasts about 35 days , after which the female gives birth to on average to 4 to 5 kits per litter . according to animal diversity , the least weasel ' s lifespan is 1 to 2 years in the wild , significantly shorter than many other carnivores .
in zoological use
weasel
on its own is now more usually applied to the genus , and in north america it is used as a common name for a number of species . however , most literary references to weasels are in fact to the least weasel . the sinister weasels of the wind in the willows , for example , are mustela nivalis , and so is the weasel that goes
pop
in the nursery rhyme .
general description : weasels are small , elongated predators that are brown in the summer , but that turn white in the winter . the short - tailed and long - tailed weasels have a black - tipped tail , while the least weasel is completely white . during spring and fall , as they change color , weasel fur appears blotchy .
it is impossible to catch a weasel asleep ; and it is bad luck if one crosses your path and appears near your home making its distinctive squeaking sound . the scots have a strange myth about a weasel funeral – the story was from the museum of lead mining ( ! ) , which seems surprising , to say the least !
north american ranges like alaska , canada , and the northern united states , as well as much of eurasia , are where the least weasel population are naturally found , with other population being introduced elsewhere , including parts of the southern hemisphere . in these ranges , the least weasel lives in meadows , grasslands , marshy areas , pastures , stubble field habitats , and mouse - infested barns . it inhabits burrows dug by moles and gophers , or hollow logs where the former cannot be found . on the international union for conservation of nature’s ( iucn ) 2008 red list , the least weasel was classified as a species of
least concern
among threatened species . according to the iucn , its population is stable , with its primary threats today being poisoning with rodenticides and change in agriculture practices within their home ranges .
for the klamanth people of oregon , mink is a mythological hero and weasel is his troublesome younger brother .
the least weasel occupies most of canada with the exception of the maritimes , southern quebec and ontario , the arctic and central and coastal british columbia . it has broad circumpolar distribution through europe , north africa , asia and north america .
weasel wrath : least weasels are highly solitary , and even mating does not occur without a fight . females can breed several times in a year when food is plentiful . perhaps because of their small size , least weasels have an even greater reputation for ferocity than the other weasels , and there are many references to them in the popular cultures of different countries .
dubbed a “hair - trigger mousetrap with teeth” by one biologist , the least weasel is a specialized predator whose diet is mainly mice and small voles . it eats insects and ground - nesting birds , but only if other prey is scarce .
the taxonomy of least weasel mustela nivalis was reviewed by abramov and baryshnikov ( 2000 ) , who considered egpytian weasel m . subpamata to be a distinct species , a treatment followed here . tonkin weasel m . tonkinensis and sichuan weasel m . russelliana , here treated as distinct species following groves ( 2007 ) , were included as part of m . nivalis by abramov and baryshnikov ( 2000 ) ( and in previous versions of its red list assessment ) . a weasel population found in taiwan in the late 20th century and considered by its finders to be a new species allied to stoat m . erminea is here considered , following abramov ( 2006 ) to be part of m . nivalis .
taxonomic status and origin of the egyptian weasel ( mustela subpalmata ) inferred from mitochondrial dna . - pubmed - ncbi
short h . l . 1961 . food habits of a captive weasel . journal of mammalogy 42 : 273–274 .
the weasel’s bloodlust is instinctual and triggered by movement . even on a full belly , a weasel will kill anything that moves and looks like prey . and to the tenacious weasel , pretty much everything looks like prey . tiny weasels have been seen killing and carrying off animals twice , four times , and even 10 times their size .
children ' s book illustrating a blackfoot legend about how weasel retrieved the warm spring wind from a powerful bear .
threats include incidental poisoning with rodenticides ( sheffield and king 1994 ) and persecution . least weasel prefers open agricultural habitats , which are declining owing to changes in agricultural practices ( rural abandonment ) in parts of europe , as open fields undergo succession .
the least weasel is a small mammal with a huge appetite . its sharp teeth and claws can take down animals larger than its own diminutive size . small rodents are preferred prey , but will chase down rabbits , birds , frogs and insects when necessary .
least weasels are predominantly carnivores , they mostly eat small rodents like mice and voles but also eat birds , frogs , fish and eggs .
weasels are relatively small , nimble mammals that are members of the mustelidae family , which also includes long - bodied animals such as wolverines , ferrets , badgers and certain skunk species . there are three weasel species that call north america home , the most prevalent being the long - tailed weasel . below are a few interesting weasel facts you might not know .
weasels feed on small mammals , and in former times were considered vermin since some species took poultry from farms , or rabbits from commercial warrens . certain species of weasel and ferrets , have been reported to perform the mesmerizing weasel war dance , after fighting other creatures , or acquiring food from competing creatures . in folklore at least , this dance is particularly associated with the stoat .
according to blackfoot legend , the weasel is the bravest of animals , a hunter bold out of all proportion to his size . modern scientists agree , as every feature of these graceful and lightning - fast little animals seems designed to make them the perfect predator . this is especially true of the least weasel , the smallest of three weasels found in montana and the world’s smallest carnivore .
there is a very interesting article called “old prussian moazo ‘mother’s sister’ , mosuco ‘weasel’ & related words” by krzystof tomasz witczak .
the least weasel also has a long , slender , muscular body with short legs . the head is small , with beady eyes , small ears and a pointed nose . they move with quick movements and a graceful , bounding gait . all three weasels change color with the seasons , and there is no color difference between the sexes . all the senses are well developed in the weasel .
in historical times , least weasel was used as a house animal ( to preserve food from small rodents ; masseti 1995 ) as well as for food , fur and even traditional medicine , as is still the case in morocco ( lebarbenchon et al . 2010 ) .
the weasel is classified as least concern ( lc ) on the iucn red list ( 7 ) , and a species of conservation concern by the uk biodiversity action plan , although not a priority species . listed under appendix iii of the bern convention ( 3 ) .
the least weasel is a mouse - sized weasel with a long slender body , short brown or white legs , and a tiny , streamlined head . it has short round ears , beady eyes , and a snout ending in whiskers . the least weasel ' s fur can be all white , or brown with a white streak stretching from its chin to its rump , while the tail is brown . fur color changes can occur , often going from brown to white during winter , according to the missouri department of conservation . the length of the males , including their tails , is up to 10 inches , and they weigh from 2 . 1 to 3 . 2 ounces , according to the illinois department of natural resources . females are up to 9 inches in length , and weigh 1 . 2 to 2 . 5 ounces . the least weasel ' s paws have 5 clawed toes suitable to its carnivorous , predatory lifestyle .
british popular - culture references to weasels are generally specifically to the common or least weasel . for example , alan lloyd ' s novel kine , about a fictional war in the english countryside between weasels and the invasive species mink , depicts the latter as sadistic , voracious invaders , giants in comparison to the weasels ; in american usage , both species would be kinds of weasel . similarly , in kenneth grahame ' s popular story the wind in the willows the villains are the weasels and the stoats , again two species of weasel in american usage . here everyday usage reflects the original european use of the word weasel for a single species .
usually burn energy the fastest and have the most active lifestyles , so it is no surprise that the least weasel , the miniature among mustelids , consumes roughly half its body weight each day—equal to about two deer mice and a vole . as with other weasels , adult females may be half the size of adult males , and they mature much more rapidly ; females are sexually mature at four months , males at eight months . females produce two litters each year , unlike the larger , slower - breeding ermine and long - tailed weasel . in the north , the fur of the least weasel turns from brown to white in winter , camouflaging them in the snow .
this species is mainly solitary , except during breeding season . least weasels may be active during the day but do most of their hunting at night .
one day , the windigo captures a traveler . he sends the terrified man out to find sticks for his own cook fire . along the way , the man encounters a weasel and begs it desperately for help . the man returns to the monster with the weasel hidden in his clothing . as they approach , the weasel rushes at the windigo and climbs into his anus . the windigo begins to look quite ill , and soon falls down dead : the tiny , brave weasel has eaten his heart from within .
similar species : much smaller than the short or long - tailed weasel . both short and long - tailed weasels have a blac
“it was discovered , ” he wrote , “that the fur of the least weasel would fluoresce under ultra - violet light , producing a vivid lavender color . the fur of the other two species remained a dull brown … thus , identification is positively and simply made , immediately . ”
least weasels , being highly - skilled predators of rodents , play an vital role in initiating or maintaining cycles in rodent populations , an important part of the tundra ecosystem , where specialized predators , like least weasels , play a role to keep lemming populations in check . in new zealand , on the contrary , where least weasels have been introduced , bird species are negatively affected by predation by this species , especially brown kiwis , which live on the ground .
species , have a reputation for killing prey much larger than themselves , then caching the remains . least weasels are highly specialized rodent predators and as such , they rely heavily upon rodent species for food . least weasels are , however , opportunistic feeders and will not overlook an easy meal , such as carrion .
heidt g . a . , petersen m . k . and kirkland g . l . j . 1968 . mating behavior and development of least weasels (
the german word for the least weasel , mauswiesel , refers to its tiny size . males are no more than 7 inches long , including the tail , and females rarely exceed 5 inches . both sexes are brown above with white underparts , coloration similar to that of montana’s two other weasels , the short - tailed and long - tailed ( the latter with cream underparts ) . unlike its cousins , the least lacks a black tail tip .
king c . m . 1980 . population biology of the weasel mustela nivalis on british game estates . holarctic ecology 3 : 160–168 .
weight : the short - tailed weasel weighs only two to five ounces , while its long - tailed cousin weighs about seven ounces .
a purse made from a weasel’s skin will never want for money ; but the purse must be found , not given or made .
the least weasel is the smallest of all weasels , averaging 157 - 190 mm ( 6 . 2 - 7 . 5 in . ) in total length and weighing 40 - 56 g ( 1 . 4 - 2 . 0 oz . ) ( hazard 1982 ) . it has a long body and neck with short limbs , a short tail , and a narrow , flattened head . in the summer , least weasels are brown on the back and whitish with occasional brown flecks underneath . in winter , they are entirely white in northern latitudes , where snow is common , but remain brown in southern latitudes ( sheffield and king 1994 ) . the least weasel resembles other weasel species , but it is smaller and has a proportionately shorter tail than the ermine and the long - tailed weasel ( mustela frenata ) . its tail is less than 25 % of the length of its head and body and lacks the black tip characteristic of ermines and long - tailed weasels ( sheffield and king 1994 ) . the pelage of least weasels will fluoresce under uv light , while that of ermines and long - tailed weasels will not ( hazard 1982 ; svendsen 1999 ) .
least weasels have long , slender bodies with short limbs , a long neck and a flat , narrow head . they have large black eyes and large round ears . this species has five fingers with sharp claws . their fur is a milk - chocolate brown with white on the under parts . northern populations have a white winter coat and brown summer coat . the least weasel is less than 10 inches long and only weighs one to three ounces .
latham’s glow - in - the - dark - weasel trick thereby entered the canon of weasel facts . even today , you can find numerous sources claiming that least weasels glow under uv light . there’s just one problem : his method has never been validated . nobody has ever reproduced his attempts . still , it’s possible that mustela nivalis glows in the dark . given everything else we know about weasels , it wouldn’t be surprising .
in the mennock pass recently , a driver observed a dead weasel , killed by a passing car , being lifted and carried off the road by a number of other weasels . this story was confirmed by a villager who had heard of a similar tale in the 1930’s where the night watchman at the wanlockhead smelt mills had watched several weasels remove a dead female and bury her in a ‘weasel grave’ nearby . on investigation , the watchman and the local gamekeeper , found the body of the weasel buried alongside a number of other weasel skeletons .
the coexistence of two very similar species , stoat and least weasel , has puzzled many researchers . from their ecology it is expected that they do not coexist , not locally at least , and still they seem to do . we reviewed the specific hypotheses proposed to explain their coexistence and related these to general theories of competitive coexistence . to test these conjectures , we studied the habitat selection of least weasels and stoats on landscape and on local scale . the study was performed during the winters , the most critical season , in years 1986–2001 in northern norway . stoats were usually more numerous than least weasels . stoats showed preference for productive areas both at the landscape and at the habitat scale and appeared stereotypic in their habitat selection . least weasels were more generalized and flexible in their habitat selection . contrary to results reported in many studies , least weasel did not react to the presence of stoats and were not excluded from the areas with stoats . we suggest that in the conditions of northernmost fennoscandia , the two species exhibit a variant of classical competitive coexistence . both species have a shared preference for rodents , but the access to exclusive alternative prey in stoats allows their coexistence with least weasels , which are more efficient predators on rodents . we suggest that more attention should be paid on survival resources , exploited during times of low resource density , when studying the coexistence between close competitors .
svendsen , g . e . 1999 . the least weasel ( mustela nivalis ) . pages 173 - 174 in d . e . wilson and s . ruff , editors . the smithsonian book of north american mammals . smithsonian institution press in association with the american society of mammalogists , washington .
weasels were plentiful in pennsylvania in the early 1950s , but they weren’t welcome . after the pennyslvania game commission offered a bounty for every weasel pelt , they found themselves inundated with fur . the region was home to three weasel species , but once the weasel ' s tail had been removed , the pelts all looked pretty much the same . so how could they figure out which species a pelt belonged to ?
more random weasel bits . . . weasel deep , old magic of the dark , warrior balance of the light , teach that evil lies within , never in the day or night . stealth , silent observation this totem is a difficult power totem to have . it is a rare gift and great ability . weasel medicine can teach you to find out secrets through the power of silent observation . most weasel people are loners , graceful , solitary and silent . they are very intelligent . people do not see their power immediately and often underestimate them . weasel totem will awaken your innate ability for observation . trust your own instincts and you will avoid trouble and pursue your goals to greatest success . use your weasel medicine to observe what or who needs attention and offer assistance in your quiet or discreet way . re : urltoken
the least weasel is mostly found in the northeast asian deciduous forest , which covers korea , eastern asia , japan , china , and russia . least weasels can range in this area from 30 degrees to 47 degrees north latitude and 110 degrees east fahrenheit to 145 degrees east fahrenheit in longitude . the northeast asian deciduous forest has warm summers and cold winters . it is home to many mammals and birds but is currently threatened because of loggers chopping down trees .
food weasels prey on small rodents such as mice , rats , voles , hares , rabbits , and chipmunks . they also take shrews , birds , birds eggs , frogs , bats , insects , earthworms and may occasionally kill domestic chickens . the least weasel depends almost exclusively on mice for food .
although they are fierce predators , helping to control rodent populations , least weasels are also victims of predators , including the long - tailed weasel . hawks , owls , foxes , coyotes , housecats , and snakes also eat them . internal and external parasites also feed on them—albeit on a smaller scale .
good luck weasel : traditional inuit lore held the least weasel in great respect because of its pugnacious nature , and the capture of one was regarded as an omen of good luck . in classical and medieval european mythology , it is sometimes said that the only thing which can kill a basilisk is a weasel , though it would be killed in the conflict as well . the earliest record of this claim is in pliny ' s naturalis historia , book 8 , par . 33 . it was repeated by isidore of seville in his etymologiae , and subsequently by many medieval bestiarists .
much smaller than the short - or long - tailed weasel . both short - and long - tailed weasels have black tip on tail .
king , c . , k . griffiths , e . murphy . 2001 . advances in new zealand mammalogy 1990–2000 : stoat and weasel .
cats , owls , foxes and birds of prey will all try to kill weasels , although a weasel will fight hard to defend itself .
: voles , deer mice , and harvest mice make up the majority of the least weasel ' s diet . moles are sometimes eaten and shrews may be attacked by inexperienced individuals or when other prey are unavailable . insects are also eaten when encountered . small ground - nesting birds such as sparrows are occasionally captured . when small mammals are scarce , birds may be hunted intensively . it is estimated that least weasels require approximately half their body weight in food per day .
2 . if the animal is domestic , insist that the offending animal be penned and observed for at least 10 days to see if it gets sick or dies .
embed this arkive thumbnail link (
portlet
) by copying and pasting the code below . < a href =
urltoken
title =
arkive species - weasel ( mustela nivalis )
> < img src =
urltoken
alt =
arkive species - weasel ( mustela nivalis )
title =
arkive species - weasel ( mustela nivalis )
border =
0
/ > < / a >
because of its size and very active lifestyle of hunting , mating and burrowing , the least weasel must eat roughly between 40 - 60 % of its body weight every day . however , its appetite to kill is far more voracious than the amount it actually needs to survive . least weasels are known to take prey in quantities larger that it can consume . though it will stockpile any overkill in nearby burrows , the surplus is often left to rot as they prefer fresh meat .
in the northern arctic area , are very important for breeding success . the population sizes of least weasels found in northern areas cycle due to the population sizes of lemmings .
the minnesota biological survey has targeted this species for many years , and has located only a single individual despite intense trapping activities . a sub - adult female was captured in a live trap in 2006 on a privately owned native prairie tract in murray county . prior to this capture , no specimens of this species had been collected in minnesota since 1967 . while it seems that least weasel populations have fluctuated historically in minnesota ( swanson and fryklund 1935 ) , the low level of observations is troubling . more research is needed to determine the extent of least weasel distribution in minnesota and the ecological requirements necessary to ensure this species ' survival .
naturally , these gambits do not always work out in the weasel’s favor , hence the term “roulette . ” ( on a related note , a weasel ' s lifespan is a mere 1 to 2 years in the wild , for obvious reasons . ) but when they do ? watch out .
originally , the name
weasel
was applied to one species of the genus , the european form of the least weasel ( mustela nivalis ) . early literary references to weasels , such as their common appearances in fables , refer to this species rather than to the genus as a whole , reflecting what is still the common usage in britain . in technical discourse , however , as in american usage , the term
weasel
can refer to any member of the genus , or to the genus as a whole . of the 16 extant species currently classified in the genus mustela , ten have
weasel
in their common name . among those that do not are the stoat or ermine , the two species of mink , and the polecats or ferrets .
weasels , stoats , and even domesticated ferrets all perform a hilarious “weasel war dance” when they’ve got their prey cornered . scientists aren’t totally sure why they do this . one theory is that the weasel’s wacky twisting , hopping , and darting around distracts , confuses , or even hypnotizes prey animals . in one case , researchers concluded that a number of rabbits killed by stoats had actually “died of fright” after being subjected to the weasel war dance .
recognized as a species separate from least weasel ( mustela nivalis ) by van zyll de jong ( 1992 ) , reig ( 1997 ) , abramov and baryshnikov ( 2000 ) , baryshnikov et al . ( 2003 ) , wozencraft ( 2005 ) , nyakatura and bininda - emonds ( 2012 ) , and mcdonald ( 2013 ) .
: because it is small and secretive the least weasel is rarely found throughout its range . its presence in kansas has been suspected for many years , but the first specimen from the state was not collected until march 1964 near marysville in marshall county . longevity of this small mammal is one or two years in the wild .
reig , s . 1997 . biogeographic and evolutionary implications of size variation in north american least weasels ( mustela nivalis ) . canadian journal of zoology 75 : 2036 - 2049 .
in summer , least weasels leave little sign , but watch for playful youngsters romping near a nest . in winter , look for a trail of twin prints in the snow .


nototodarus sloanii is a species of squid commonly known as the new zealand arrow squid or wellington flying squid .

it is also known by its māori name of wheketere .

it is a favoured prey species of a number of marine mammals and diving birds .

it is an important food source for the new zealand fur seal and the endangered species : new zealand sea lion and yellow-eyed penguin ( megadyptes antipodes ) .

n. sloanii is sought by trawler fishermen for human consumption ; in this trawling process , australian sea lions are frequently killed , since they prey upon n. sloanii .

nototodarus sloanii

only one series of slender , conical , ventral supports distally . ( see nototodarus page for comparison of species ) .
urltoken accessed 12 / 04 / 14 mckinnon , j . f . ( 2007 ) . aspects of the population biology of the southern arrow squid , nototodarus sloanii , in southern new zealand ( thesis , doctor of philosophy ) . university of otago . retrieved from urltoken
nototodarus sloanii has been assessed as least concern . this oceanic species has a wide geographic distribution . although this species is subject to fishing pressure , current levels appear to be sustainable and catches are regulated through quota systems . more research is still needed on the ecology and biology of this species .
justification : nototodarus sloanii has been assessed as least concern . this oceanic species has a wide geographic distribution . although this species is subject to fishing pressure , current levels appear to be sustainable and catches are regulated through quota systems . more research is still needed on the ecology and biology of this species .
as in other members of the genus , the right arm iv is more heavily hectocotylized . in n . sloanii this arm has ( after dunning and förch , 1998 :
two species of nototodarus are now believed to exist in new zealand , a southern form and a western and northeastern form , but their nomenclature has not been clarified or published .
mantle muscular tapers to pointed tail . fins broad . orange to pink over body , with a darker maroon strip down the mid line . can flash greenish over eyes .
breeding is thought to be on the shelf in less than 200m water , juveniles are found in coastal waters . adults deeper to 500m .
opportunistic generalist predator , feeding upon crustaceans , fish and squid . can be cannibalistic .
a short lived ( < 1year ) terminal spawner . spawning grounds unknown . restricted to the south island and the subantarctic islands . feeds on small fish , crustaceans , molluscs and is a cannibal . commercially harvested with goulds arrow squid . current quota for both species is about 127 , 000 tonnes .
html public
- / / w3c / / dtd xhtml 1 . 0 transitional / / en
urltoken
en - wellington flying squid , fr - encornet minami , sp - pota neozelandesa .
ommatrephes sloani gray , 1849 , cat . moll . brit . mus . , 61 .
mantle muscular tapers to pointed tail . fins broad , sagittate length 42 to 48 % of mantle length ; single fin angle 44° ( 40 to 500 ) . funnel groove with foveola and 10 to 13 longitudinal ridges . tentacular club occupies much of tentacle length ; protective membranes very low , weak ; largest sucker rings with 11 to 13 conical teeth all around interspersed with low truncated platelets ; distal central tooth not enlarged . arm sucker rings smooth proximally , grading to truncate teeth laterally and about 11 to 15 , short , triangular teeth distally , the central one enlarged ; both arms iv in males hectocotylized basally with modification of protective membranes and trabeculae into large , ridged , saw - tooth processes ; suckers absent ; stalks remnants only ; right arm iv distally with sucker stalks enlarged , comb - like , conical ; suckers and trabeculae lost .
a neritic and oceanic speciesoccurring from the surface to about 500 m depth , occasionally forming large aggregations down to 300 m . it occurs over a broad range of temperatures but seems to be either more abundant or more vulnerable in colder waters . two groups , possibly species , are distinguished by morphometric features , one north of the subtropical convergence zone and one within or south of the convergence . within the northern group clearly identified as n . sloani , the western population occurs in an upwelling area and grows to larger sizes than the eastern population . the group south of the convergence has a growth pattern similar to that of the northwestern population . growth rates vary inversely with size and directly with temperature ( roberts , 1983 ) . the lifespan of this species exceeds one year . each of the two northern populations has 2 peak spawning season : autumn ( march and april and spring ( september to november ) for the northwestern population , and july and december for the northeastern population .
maximum mantle length about 42 cm , maximum weight 1 . 8 kg in western new zealand , but 32 cm and 0 . 6 kg in the warmer waters of northeastern new zealand .
apart from the exceptionally good landings in 1980 ( 63 000 t reported from japan ( more than 90 % of the total catch ) and the republic of korea ) , annual catches of this species averaged about 29 000 t in recent years ( fao , 1983 ) . japanese and south korean jigger vessels , operating under joint - venture schemes with new zealand , take about half the catches , but they land only a fraction in this country . this squid is also taken in trawling operations of foreign licensed vessels from former ussr , japan and the republic of korea . the fishery is regulated through a quota system . the quotas for the 1981 / 1982 trawling season for all fishing grounds were allocated as follows : republic of korea : 1 600 t , japan : 9 900 t , former ussr : 11 500 t , and joint venture operations 27 000 t ( mattlin , 1982 ) . so far , only the western and southern groups of n . sloani are being exploited . the vessels usually operate during a 90 to 120 day fishing season extending from december to april . the total catch reported for this species to fao for 1999 was 31 358 t . the countries with the largest catches were new zealand ( 27 282 t ) and japan ( 1 853 t ) . frozen and processed squids are exported to various countries . domestically caught squid are marketed fresh or processed .
fao species catalogue vol . 3 . cephalopods of the world an annotated and illustrated catalogue of species of interest to fisheriesclyde f . e . roper michael j . sweeney cornelia e . nauen 1984 . fao fisheries synopsis no . 125 , volume 3
html public
- / / w3c / / dtd xhtml 1 . 0 strict / / en
urltoken
thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on the iucn red list of threatened species website , we are grateful for your input .
this species occurs on the continental shelf and slope waters of new zealand from the northern boundary of the subtropical convergence zone ( approx . 40 ºs ) to the auckland islands 51 ºs and the campbell islands 53 ºs ( dunning and förch 1998 ) . its range extends to the east of new zealand to include the chatham islands , and its range also overlaps with
to the north between about 40 ºs and 44 ºs ( dunning and förch 1998 ) .
new zealand ( chatham is . , north is . , south is . )
roper et al . ( 2010 ) report that the instantaneous biomass of this species has been estimated at between one and two million tonnes .
this is a demersal species spending the day either sitting on or swimming near the seafloor ( young and vecchione 2009 ) . it is abundant on the continental shelf in waters of less than 200 m and the distribution of paralarvae appears to be associated with continental shelves and sea mounts ( dunning and förch 1998 ) . tagging studies have not revealed any large - scale migration patterns , although aggregations may form to depths of 300 m ( roper et al . 2010 , dunning and förch 1998 ) .
body size appears to increase with increasing latitude and depth , and differences in size at maturity have been observed among regions and seasons ( dunning and förch 1998 , wormuth 1998 ) . unvalidated statolith growth increment counts suggest a life span of approximately one year , with males maturing at approximately 200 days and females later at 270 days of age ( uozumi
1998 ) . spawning appears to occur throughout the year at the population level in new zealand waters ( uozumi and ohara 1993 ) .
the stomach contents of individuals collected from chatham rise , new zealand , contained mesopelagic fish ( e . g .
) , crustaceans and cephalopods ( dunn 2009 ) . crustaceans were more important in the diet of smaller squid , and there were differences in diet between sexes with crustaceans and cephalopods being more important in females ( dunn 2009 ) .
this species forms an important part of the demersal fishery in new zealand waters ( dunning and förch 1998 ) . landings peaked in 2004 at slightly over 100 , 000 tonnes : they are currently ( as of 2011 ) at around 40 , 000 tonnes . catches are related to lunar phase , as is typical for species which undergo diel feeding migrations . the stock is taken by both jigging and trawling , and fishing effort is dominated by licensed foreign vessels and regulated through a quota system with the tac ( total allowable catch ) defined annually . the trawl fishery impacts on the threatened sea lion species phocarctos hookeri , and the squid fishery is further limited to protect the sea lions .
fishing is a potential threat to this species , although it is limited with a quota system .
there is active management of this fishery in place . further research is recommended in order to determine the precise distribution , population dynamics , life history and ecology of this species .
to make use of this information , please check the < terms of use > .
html public
- / / w3c / / dtd xhtml 1 . 0 strict / / en
urltoken
html public
- / / w3c / / dtd html 4 . 01 transitional / / en
urltoken
dunning , m . c . and ellen celia forch / n . a . voss , m . vecchione , r . b . toll and m . j . sweeney , eds .
systematics and biogeography of cephalopods . smithsonian contributions to zoology , 586 ( i - ii )
sweeney , m . j . and c . f . e . roper / n . a . voss , m . vecchione , r . b . toll and m . j . sweeney , eds .
taxon validity : [ fide dunning and forch ( 1998 ) ] . repository : bmnh holotype uncataloged [ fide dunning and forch ( 1998 ) ] . type locality : waitemata harbour , new zealand
disclaimer : itis taxonomy is based on the latest scientific consensus available , and is provided as a general reference source for interested parties . however , it is not a legal authority for statutory or regulatory purposes . while every effort has been made to provide the most reliable and up - to - date information available , ultimate legal requirements with respect to species are contained in provisions of treaties to which the united states is a party , wildlife statutes , regulations , and any applicable notices that have been published in the federal register . for further information on u . s . legal requirements with respect to protected taxa , please contact the u . s . fish and wildlife service .
this species occurs on the continental shelf and slope waters of new zealand from the northern boundary of the subtropical convergence zone ( approx . 40 s ) to the auckland islands 51 s and the campbell islands 53 s ( dunning and frch 1998 ) . its range extends to the east of new zealand to include the chatham islands , and its range also overlaps with
to the north between about 40 s and 44 s ( dunning and frch 1998 ) .
this is a demersal species spending the day either sitting on or swimming near the seafloor ( young and vecchione 2009 ) . it is abundant on the continental shelf in waters of less than 200 m and the distribution of paralarvae appears to be associated with continental shelves and sea mounts ( dunning and frch 1998 ) . tagging studies have not revealed any large - scale migration patterns , although aggregations may form to depths of 300 m ( roper et al . 2010 , dunning and frch 1998 ) .
body size appears to increase with increasing latitude and depth , and differences in size at maturity have been observed among regions and seasons ( dunning and frch 1998 , wormuth 1998 ) . unvalidated statolith growth increment counts suggest a life span of approximately one year , with males maturing at approximately 200 days and females later at 270 days of age ( uozumi
the following is a representative barcode sequence , the centroid of all available sequences for this species . no available public dna sequences . download fasta file
is a favoured prey species of a number of marine mammals and diving birds . it is an important food source for the
c . michael hogan . 2009 . yellow - eyed penguin : megadypes antipodes , globaltwitcher . com , ed . n . stromberg
nick gales , nicholas gales , mark hindell and roger kirkwood . 2003 . marine mammals : fisheries , tourism and management issues , csiro publishing , isbn 0 - 643 - 06953 - 4 , isbn 978 - 0 - 643 - 06953 - 4 , 446 pages
eol content is automatically assembled from many different content providers . as a result , from time to time you may find pages on eol that are confusing .
to request an improvement , please leave a comment on the page . thank you !
the
expanded ventral membrane with supports
present only at extreme end of the arm .
off new zealand , on the chatham rise at 43 . 04°s , 175 . 01°e in bottom trawl at 367 m depth .
each tol branch page provides a synopsis of the characteristics of a group of organisms representing a branch of the tree of life . the major distinction between a branch and a leaf of the tree of life is that each branch can be further subdivided into descendent branches , that is , subgroups representing distinct genetic lineages .
for a more detailed explanation of the different tol page types , have a look at the structure of the tree of life page .
tree of life design and icons copyright © 1995 - 2004 tree of life project . all rights reserved .