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On the distribution of weasels (Carnivora: Mustelidae: Mustela) in China’s Guangdong Province, with notes on occurrences from Hong Kong
Chan B.P.L., Hui M.K.Y., Li F., Ding Q., Huang Q., Li C.
P. 212-225
Two species of Mustela weasels are known from the southern Chinese province of Guangdong: yellow-bellied weasel M. kathiah and Siberian weasel M. sibirica. While they are conventionally considered widespread throughout Guangdong, both are poorly documented with limited verifiable locality and ecological information. This paper clarifies the distribution and status of these two species in Guangdong, and describes their recent discoveries in adjoining Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Mustela kathiah is widespread in a wide altitudinal range throughout Guangdong, with many records from areas below the commonly cited over 1000 m lower altitudinal threshold for the species. Mustela sibirica has a more peculiar distribution pattern, with all historical records near or north of the Tropic of Cancer followed by a recent surge of coastal records since the 2010s, many of which come from urbanised areas. To conclude, M. kathiah is widespread in Guangdong including part of Hong Kong, but the provenance of M. sibirica individuals recently recorded in urbanised areas of Pearl River Delta and eastern Guangdong is debatable, which warrants further investigation.

DOI: 10.15298/rusjtheriol.23.2.10

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