Distribución actual del meloncillo, Herpestes ichneumon (Linnaeus, 1758), en el sur de la provincia de Salamanca y en el norte de la provincia de Cáceres

Abstract

Data on the historical presence of Egyptian mongoose Herpestes ichneumon in southern Salamanca (Spain) and northern Cáceres (Spain) are very scarce and they have only been found in a small number of specific sites. This study presents 46 records of presence based on sightings (n=25), road kills (n=5), and deaths from hunting activities (n=1) (all collected between 2002 and 2007), and camera-traps (conducted from January 2005 to December 2006). These reports indicate an increase in the known species distribution, with references to 9 new 10x10-Km UTM squares located in the northern-most area of its present range. These UTM squares are as follows: 29TPE96, 29TPE98, 29TQE08, 29TQE09, 29TQE28, 29TQE29, 29TQE39, 29TQF20 and 29TQF30. Most of the references cover the last 5 years, which seems to confirm the theory suggesting that the species is now expanding into new areas. Information on its photographically documented maximum altitude in Spain is presented, with an individual observed at 1,155 m.a.s.l. This study confirms that the Ciudad Rodrigo (Sierra de Camaces, Spain) municipal area is the most northern area with a regular presence of the species, and that it is also increasing its distribution area to the north-east of Salamanca province, reaching Sierra de Francia-Las Quilamas in the Puebla de Yeltes municipal area.