Mungotictis decemlineata lineata (Carnivora: Herpestidae), a mysterious Malagasy mongoose

The Malagasy narrow-striped mongoose Mungotictis decemlineata has two currently recognized subspecies: M. d. decemlineata and M. d. lineata. Recent literature indicates that the latter is very rare, occurring in the Toliara region of southwestern Madagascar, however there are no original locality data available for the sole specimen of this taxon, and there is no evidence to suggest that it occurs anywhere near Toliara. Fieldwork to find it should be targeted initially in the Kirindy-Sud/Marofihitse region south of Morondava, central western Madagascar.