Both Wingham's animals have the same coloration - not having seen the species before I assumed it was the colour all Pardine Genets were but could be wrong!
I have often wondered if there has, at some point, been some hybridisation between captive Genet species in the UK ? Some species are very similar.
Any thoughts anyone ?
I believe these particular animals are from the first known breeding of the Pardine Genet in the UK, so it is unlikely they are of hybrid descent.
However, you are correct that the three Genet species currently found in UK collections - Cape, Pardine and European - appear to intergrade in morphology to some extent; certainly the former two are sometimes deemed conspecific. I suspect the genus as a whole is one which merits further study.
I believe these particular animals are from the first known breeding of the Pardine Genet in the UK, so it is unlikely they are of hybrid descent.
However, you are correct that the three Genet species currently found in UK collections - Cape, Pardine and European - appear to intergrade in morphology to some extent; certainly the former two are sometimes deemed conspecific. I suspect the genus as a whole is one which merits further study.
Thanks Dave, yes I meant in general, rather than the Pardines. I know in the past there has been some problems in finding particular animals such as the Blotched (Cape) to make up pairs kept privately and the same can be said for the Small-spotted (European) too which makes you wonder, but they are very similar as you say in terms of size and colouration.
