Integrative Taxonomy and Phylogenetic Systematics of the Genets (Carnivora, Viverridae, Genetta): A New Classification of the Most Speciose Carnivoran Genus in Africa

Abstract

The taxonomy of the genus Genetta has been hotly debated. Following recent clarifications on the phylogeny of and species boundaries within the genets, we propose a new classification, including discriminant morphological diagnoses, which provides for the first time a synthetic description of the re-assessed species diversity within the genus (17 species). Prospects concerning further investigations on the systematics of the genets are discussed.