Solitary, in the night, it goes: summary of records and range expansion of the common genet in Italy

Abstract

The common genet Genetta genetta is a small carnivoran mammal with a wide distribution range covering most of Africa. This species has been introduced to the Iberian Peninsula over 1000 years ago, and then it has spread throughout most of France, reaching Switzerland and North-Western Italy. In this note, we summarised the distribution of the common genet, in Italy, by reviewing grey/scientific literature and records available on online citizen-science platforms. We collected a total of 39 confirmed records, mainly from latrines and killed individuals, which showed that the species, present almost during all the year, has increased its range since the previous summary of 2008.