NEW SPECIES OF VIVERRIDS OF THE GENUS VIV ERRA (MAMMALIA, CARNIVORA) FROM VIETNAM

The taxonomic status of the Viverra zibetha from Vietnam is analyzed. On the base of collected specimens and materials of Russian and Vietna mian zoological collections the population of Viverra zibetha from Vie tnam belong to the subspecies V. zibetha picta Wroughton, 1915. The st udy of the range-wide V. zibetha specimens show that the characters of this species are very stable. In the north of Tainguen Plate (Central Annam, Zialay Province, 75 km norther of Ankhe - 14 degrees 34' N, 10 8 degrees 35' E, 700-800 m ASL) 17 October, 1986 one specimen very dif ferent from V. zibetha was collected. On this specimen the new species , Viverra tainguensis sp. n., was described. Viverra tainguensis sp. n . is smaller as V. zibetha, it has smaller (52%) relative tail length (V. zibetha has relative tail length 55-60%), highly distinctive colou r pattering at the body (presence of highly distinctive spots), the co loration on the front legs (region of forearm and below) and hind feet (below basipodium region), the sheats covering claws on the 3rd and 4 st digitals of the front legs.