Rare Records Syrian Marbled Polecat (Vormela peregusna syriaca) from Gaza Strip, Palestine & Arabia

0

‫ﺑﺴﻢ ﷲ اﻟﺮﺣﻤﻦ اﻟﺮﺣﯿﻢ‬

ISSN 0178-6288 https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Norman_KhalafPrinz_Sakerfalke_Von_Jaffa/publications https://palestine.academia.edu/NormanKhalaf https://issuu.com/dr-norman-ali-khalaf/docs

============================= ‫ اﻟﻨﺸﺮة اﻟﻔﻠﺴﻄﯿﻨﯿﺔ ﻟﻌﻠﻢ اﻷﺣﯿﺎء‬: ‫اﻟﻐﺰال‬

Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin Gazelle : Das Palästinensische Biologische Bulletin

============================= Monthly Bulletin – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

Published by Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Khalaf Department for Environmental Research and Media, National Research Center, University of Palestine, Gaza, State of Palestine

=============================

Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

1

Rare Records of the Syrian Marbled Polecat (Vormela peregusna syriaca Pocock, 1936) from the Gaza Strip, and a review of its distribution in Palestine and the northern Arabian Peninsula

، ‫اﻟﺮﺧﺎﻣﻲ اﻟﺴﻮري )إﺑﻦ ﻋﺮس اﻟ ُﻤﻨﺘﻦ‬ ُ ‫ﺗﺴﺠﯿﻼت ﻧﺎدرة ﻟﺤﯿﻮان ﻓﺄر اﻟﺨﯿﻞ‬ ، ‫ﺴﺢ( ﻣﻦ ﻗﻄﺎع ﻏﺰة‬ ّ ‫ ﺗّﻤ‬، ‫ أﺑﻮ ﻓّﺴﻲ‬، ‫ أم ﺧﻮﯾﺼﺔ‬، ‫ اﻟﺴﻠﻮل‬، ‫اﻟﺴﻤﻮر‬ ‫و ُﻣﺮاﺟﻌﺔ ﻹﻧﺘﺸﺎره ﻓﻲ ﻓﻠﺴﻄﯿﻦ وﺷﻤﺎل ﺷﺒﮫ اﻟﺠﺰﯾﺮة اﻟﻌﺮﺑﯿﺔ‬ ‫ ﻧﻮرﻣﺎن )ﻧﻌﻤﺎن( ﻋﻠﻲ ﺑﺴﺎم ﻋﻠﻲ طﺎھﺮ ﺧﻠﻒ اﻟﯿﺎﻓﺎوي اﻟﻌﯿﺰري‬.‫ د‬.‫ اﻟﺸﺮﯾﻒ أ‬: ‫ﺑﻘﻠﻢ‬

By: Sharif Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher Mohammad Ahmad Ahmad Mostafa Abdallah Mohammad Khalaf-Prinz Sakerfalke von Jaffa

A Syrian Marbled Polecat (Vormela peregusna syriaca Pocock, 1936) which was caught alive from the eastern boundaries of Gaza City on 25.04.2021. Photo: Mohammad Hamdan. https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10159103124479831&set=a.127745184830 Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

2 ‫ي‬ ، ‫اﻟمنتن‬ ُ ‫ ﺘم ﺘسجیﻞ �ﻌض اﻟتوﺜیﻘﺎت اﻟنﺎدرة ﻟتواﺠد ﺤیوان ﻓﺄر اﻟخیﻞ‬: ‫ُﻤﻠخص‬ ُ ‫اﻟرﺨﺎﻤﻲ اﻟسور )إﺒن ﻋرس‬ ‫ و�ﻌود اﻟتسجیﻞ اﻷول إﻟﻰ‬. ‫ دوﻟﺔ ﻓﻠسطین‬، ‫مسﺢ( ﻓﻲ ﻗطﺎع ﻏزة‬ ّ ‫ ّﺘ‬، ‫ أﺒو ّﻓسﻲ‬، ‫ أم ﺨو�صﺔ‬، ‫ اﻟسﻠول‬، ‫اﻟسمور‬

‫ واﻟتﻲ ﻗﺎم ﻋﺎﻟم اﻟحیوان اﻟبر�طﺎﻨﻲ‬، ‫ُﺠمجمﺔ ﺤیوان ﻏیر �ﺎﻟﻎ ﻤن ﻏزة وﻤحﻔوظﺔ ﻓﻲ ﻤجموﻋﺔ اﻟمتحﻒ اﻟبر�طﺎﻨﻲ‬ ‫ أﻤﺎ اﻟتسجیﻞ اﻟثﺎﻨﻲ ﻓتﻌود إﻟﻰ ُﻤراﻗبﺔ ﺤیﺔ وﺜﻘﻬﺎ‬. 1936 ‫ّرﺠینﺎﻟد إﯿّنس ﺒو�وك ﺒدراﺴتﻬﺎ وأﺨذ ﻗیﺎﺴﺎﺘﻬﺎ ﻓﻲ اﻟﻌﺎم‬ ‫ وﺘﻌود اﻟتسجیﻼت اﻟثﺎﻟثﺔ إﻟﻰ اﻟﻔترة ﻤﺎ ﺒین‬. ‫ ﻓﻲ وادي ﻏزة‬1947 ‫ﻋﺎﻟم اﻟطبیﻌﺔ اﻟبر�طﺎﻨﻲ ﻓیكتور ﻫﺎوﻟز ﻓﻲ اﻟﻌﺎم‬

، ‫ إﻟﻰ ﺜمﺎﻨیﺔ ﻋینﺎت ﺤیﺔ ﺘم ﺼیدﻫﺎ �ﺎﻟید ﻓﻲ اﻟحﻘول اﻟزراﻋیﺔ واﻟبر�ﺔ اﻟﻐزاو�ﺔ‬2010 ‫ إﻟﻰ ﺴبتمبر‬2007 ‫أﻛتو�ر‬ ‫وﺘم ﺒیﻌﻬﺎ إﻟﻰ ﻋدة ﺤداﺌق ﺤیوان ﻓﻲ ﻏزة ؛ واﻟتسجیﻞ اﻟرا�ﻊ ﻫﻲ ﻋینﺔ ﺤیﺔ ﺘم إﺼطیﺎدﻫﺎ ﻓﻲ ﻗطﺎع ﻏزة و�ﺎﻨت‬

‫إﺼطیﺎدﻫﺎ ﻓﻲ‬ ‫ ؛ واﻟتسجیﻞ اﻟخﺎﻤس ﻫﻲ ﻋینﺔ ﺤیﺔ ﺘم‬2014 ‫ﻤﻌروﻀﺔ ﻟﻠبیﻊ ﻓﻲ ﺴوق اﻟیرﻤوك ﻓﻲ ﻏزة ﻓﻲ ﻓبراﯿر‬ ُ ، ‫ ؛ واﻟتسجیﻞ اﻟسﺎدس ﻫﻲ ﻋینﺔ ﺤیﺔ ﺘم إﺼطیﺎدﻫﺎ ﻤن ﻤنطﻘﺔ رﻓﺢ‬2021 ‫اﻟمنﺎطق اﻟشرﻗیﺔ ﻟمدﯿنﺔ ﻏزة ﻓﻲ أﺒر�ﻞ‬ . ‫ وذﻟك ﻟﻠمرة اﻟثﺎﻨیﺔ ﻓﻲ ﻏضون ﺸﻬر�ن ﻤن ﻗطﺎع ﻏزة‬، 2021 ‫ﺠنوب ﻗطﺎع ﻏزة ﻓﻲ ﯿوﻨیو‬

Abstract : Some rare records have been documented on the presence of Syrian

Marbled Polecats (Vormela peregusna syriaca Pocock, 1936) in the Gaza Strip, State of Palestine. The first recording dates back to a skull of an immature specimen from Gaza which is preserved in the British Museum collection and was studied and measured by the British Zoologist Reginald Innes Pocock in 1936. The second recording dates back to an observational record by the British Naturalist Victor Howells in Wadi Gaza in 1947; and the third recordings date back from October 2007 until September 2010, to eight specimens that were caught alive by hand in cultivated fields or in the wild areas of the Gaza Strip, and sold to several Gazan zoos; and the fourth record was of a live specimen that was caught in the Gaza Strip, and was offered for sale at the Yarmouk Souq Market in Gaza in February 2014; and the fifth record was of a polecat caught alive in the eastern boundaries of Gaza City in April 2021; and the sixth record was of a polecat caught alive from Rafah area, southern Gaza Strip in June 2021; this was the second record in 2 months from the Gaza Strip.

Marbled Polecat (Vormela peregusna) distribution. https://eol.org/media/7970910 Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

3

Marbled Polecat (Vormela peregusna Güldenstädt, 1770) Type Locality: Rostov Oblast, steppes at lower Don River, southern Ukrainian S.S.R., (Wozencraft, 1993; Qumsiyeh, 1996).

The Marbled Polecat (Vormela peregusna Güldenstädt, 1770) is a member of the Mustelidae family, which includes weasels, badgers, martens, minks, ferrets, and otters in the order Carnivora. The Marbled Polecat is represented by a single species in Palaearctic Region including Palestine and the northern Arabian Peninsula (Ellerman and Morrison-Scott, 1951; Corbet, 1978; Wozencraft, 1993; Tez, Gunduz and Kefelioglu, 2001).

The Marbled Polecat (Vormela peregusna) is a small mammal belonging to the monotypic genus Vormela within the mustelid subfamily Ictonychinae. Vormela is from the German word Würmlein, which means "little worm". The specific name peregusna comes from perehuznya (перегузня), which is Ukrainian for "polecat". Marbled polecats are generally found in the drier areas and grasslands of southeastern Europe to western China. Like other members of the Ictonychinae, it can emit a strong-smelling secretion from anal sacs under the tail when threatened (Wikipedia).

Description Ranging in length from 26–35 cm (head and body), the tail measures 16-20 cm, and skull length 4.6-5.6 cm (Qumsiyeh, 1996), the marbled polecat has a small head and snout (Tez, Gunduz and Kefelioglu, 2001), short muzzle and very large, noticeable ears. The limbs are short and claws are long and strong. While the tail is long, with long bushy hair, the overall pelage is short. Black and white mark the face, with a black stripe across the eyes and white markings around the mouth. Dorsally, the pelage is yellow and heavily mottled with irregular reddish or brown spots. They have variegated brown and yellow patches and stripes of irregular shape on the back. It was observed that it changes its fur from May to October (Tez, Gunduz and Kefelioglu, 2001). The head is dark brown with a white band across the forehead (Qumsiyeh, 1996). The tail is dark brown with a yellowish band in the mid-region. The ventral region and limbs are a dark brown (black brown). The Marbled Polecat’s black brown fur is marked by yellow on white irregular spots and stripes across the head, back, and tail. Its white face features a masklike appearance, due to a wide black brown stripe through the eyes and cheeks (Tez, Gunduz and Kefelioglu, 2001). The legs are short and end in long claws, Therefore, the body of marbled polecat is near to ground and long. Its body is small, elongated, cylinder, delicate and adapted to penetrate the burrows of rodents (Hadad, 2019). The claws are thin long and excavator-climber type (Tez, Gunduz and Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

4 Kefelioglu, 2001). Females weigh from 295 to 600 g, and males can range from 320 to 715 g (Wikipedia).

Distribution and Habitat The marbled polecat is native from southeastern Europe to Russia and China. Its range includes Romania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Georgia, Turkey, Asia Minor, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Israel, Iraq, Iran, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, north-western Pakistan, Mongolia, China, Kazakhstan, NorthSiberian Altai steppes. In 1998, a marbled polecat was recorded on the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. Marbled polecats are found in open desert, semidesert, and semiarid rocky areas in upland valleys and low hill ranges, steppe country, and arid subtropical scrub forest. They avoid mountainous regions. Marbled polecats have been sighted in cultivated areas such as melon patches and vegetable fields (Wikipedia). They live in open, dry, rocky country. They can be found in semidesert, low hills, scrub forest and steppes but not usually mountainous areas.

They have adapted to life in farming areas (Exploring Nature).

A caged Syrian Marbled Polecat from Jordan. https://www.facebook.com/WildlifeofJordan/photos/pcb.3011882292194090/3011873 748861611/

Behaviour and Ecology The marbled polecat is most active during the morning and evening. Its eyesight is weak, and it relies on its well-developed sense of smell. Vocalization is limited Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

5 and consists of shrill alarm cries, grunts and a submissive long shriek. It is solitary and moves extensively through a home range of 0.5–0.6 km2 (0.19– 0.23 sq mi). It generally stays in a shelter once. When encountering each other, they are usually aggressive (Wikipedia).

When alarmed, a marbled polecat raises up on its legs while arching its back and curling its tail over its back, with the long tail hair erect. It may also raise its head, bare its teeth, and give shrill, short hisses. If threatened, it can expel a foulsmelling secretion from enlarged anal glands under its tail (Wikipedia).

To excavate burrows, the marbled polecat digs out earth with its forelegs while anchoring itself with its chin and hind legs. It uses its teeth to pull out obstacles such as roots (Wikipedia).

Burrows of large ground squirrels or similar rodents such as the Great Gerbil (Rhombomys opimus) and Libyan jird (Meriones libycus) are used by marbled polecats for resting and breeding. They may also dig their own dens or live underground irrigation tunnels. In the winter, marbled polecats line their dens with grass (Wikipedia).

They live alone except to mate. If they feel threatened, they will hiss and shriek, baring their teeth. They also release a bad smell, like others in their family (skunk and weasel). They are great diggers (Exploring Nature).

Reproduction Marbled polecats’ mate from March to early June. Their mating calls are most often heard as low, rumbling sounds in a slow rhythm. Gestation can be long and variable (243 to 327 days). Parturition has been observed to occur from late January to mid-March. Delayed implantation allows marbled polecats to time the birth of their cubs for favorable conditions, such as when prey is abundant. Litter sizes range from four to eight cubs. The cubs drinking their mother’s milk from eight udders (Tez, Gunduz and Kefelioglu, 2001). Only females care for the young. Cubs open their eyes around 38–40 days old, are weaned at 50–54 days, and leave their mother (disperse) at 61–68 days old (Wikipedia).

Like many of the animals in their family (mustelids), marbled polecats have "delayed implantation." That means that even though they all mate in the spring, they deliver their young at different time, depending on how the weather and food conditions are. They have up to 8 cubs (Exploring Nature).

Lifespan/Longevity Little information is available regarding the lifespan of wild Marbled Polecats.

One captive individual, however, was reported to live for 8 years and 11 months.

Marbled Polecats infested with ticks and/or fleas may become limited in lifespan (Gorsuch & Larivière, 2005).

Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

6

Weasels and Related Species. Israel ATM75 Postage label. Day of Issue 01.01.2014.

Denomination 2.20 NIS. Stamp Designer: Zvika Roitman & Tuvia Kurtz. http://israelphilately.org.il/en/catalog/stamps/4081/ATM%20Postage%20label%20%20Weasels%20%20Related%20Species

Diet Marbled polecats are known to eat ground squirrels, Libyan jirds (Meriones libycus), Armenian hamsters (Cricetulus migratorius), voles, Palestine mole-rats (Spalax lecocon ehrenbergi), rats, house mice (Mus musculus), and other rodents, small hares, birds, reptiles (lizards), fish, amphibians (frogs), snails, and insects (beetles and crickets), as well as fruit and grass. They are also recorded as taking small domestic poultry such as chickens and pigeons (Wikipedia), and steal and eat poultry eggs (Eid, 2020), as well as stealing smoked meat and cheese (Wikipedia). Eid (2020) mention that the Syrian subspecies Vormela peregusna syriaca in Jordan feeds on snakes, lizards, small mammals, birds, and in captivity can feed on cheese and yoghurt.

Conservation Status In 2008, the marbled polecat was classified as a vulnerable species in the IUCN Red List due to a population reduction of at least 30% in the previous 10 years. In 1996, it had been considered a species of least concern. The decline in marbled polecat populations thought to be due to habitat destruction, desertification, and the changing of natural habitat to farmland have led to a large reduction in population size (Tikhonov et al. 2008; Wikipedia). The Reduction in available rodent prey by use of rodenticides, as well as road traffic and hunting are also reducing populations of Marbled Polecats. Additionally, this species can be infected with ticks and fleas, which is an increasing problem (Ben-David et al.

1991; Gorsuch & Larivière, 2005; Tikhonov et al. 2008).

Data revealed that from the west to the east, a gradual decrease in morphological diversity was seen in polecat skulls, thus giving location as a factor to diversify Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

7 the polecats. Also, the data related to the range formation of the species rather than climate change (Wikipedia).

Threats The marbled polecat was once sought for its fur, generally known as "fitch" or more specifically, "perwitsky" in the fur trade (Wikipedia).

Subspecies The subspecies of Vormela peregusna include: V. p. peregusna Güldenstädt, 1770; V. p. alpherakyi (alpherakii) Birula, 1910; V. p. euxina Pocock, 1936; V. p. negans Miller, 1910; V. p. obscura Stroganov, 1948; V. p. pallidior Stroganov, 1948; V. p. syriaca Pocock, 1936; V. p. koshewnikowi Satunin, 1910 (EOL, Wikipedia; Harrison, 1968; Gorsuch & Larivière, 2005).

The British Zoologist Reginald Innes Pocock who named the Syrian Marbled Polecat Vormela peregusna syriaca in 1936. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reginald_Innes_Pocock#/media/File:R._I._Pocock.jpg

Syrian Marbled Polecat (Vormela peregusna syriaca Pocock, 1936) In 2006, I wrote the article “Mammalia Palaestina: The Mammals of Palestine / Die Säugetiere Palästinas” which was published in “Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin” (ISSN 0178-6288), Volume 24, Number 55, July 2006, pp. 1-46.

Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

8 I wrote in page 16, Mammal no. 72: “Syrian Marbled Polecat (Vormela peregusna syriaca Pocock, 1936) [Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1936: 720. Type specimen obtained at Tiberias, Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee), Palestine]: The Marbled Polecat ranges from southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia, Russia into Mongolia. The Syrian subspecies Vormela peregusna syriaca is found in Syria, western and northern Iraq, and Palestine, where it is fairly common in the northern half of the country up to the edge of the desert” (Khalaf, 2006a, 2006d).

Type Specimen: British Museum collection No. 22.7.8.1, unsexed, obtained in May 1922 at Tiberias, Sea of Galilee, Palestine, by P. A. Buxton (Harrison, 1968).

Diagnosis: The race Vormela peregusna syriaca is distinguished by the rich yellowish tint of the pale areas of the back; the white occipital collar is broken up by spots or stripes and the yellow areas form a considerably greater area than the dark black or brown colour on the back, behind the scapular stripes. The dark hue of the nape is always broken up mesially by a good deal of yellow, dividing it into two irregular stripes. The skull is small, condylobasal length in adults 47.654.5 mm. (Harrison, 1968).

A caged Syrian Marbled Polecat from Jordan. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=907479139758671&set=p.907479139758671 &type=3 Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

9 External Characters: This is a small and very slender Mustelid; the total length of an adult female from Eshel HaNasi, 15 kilometers north of Bir Al-Saba’ (Beersheba), was 450 mm; the tail was 175 mm. long, more than half the length of the head and body. The tail is bushy, densely covered with long hairs, attaining about 40 mm. in length distally. The muzzle is pointed, the rhinarium naked and black; the crescentic nostrils are laterally directed and separated from each other by a shallow internarial groove. The eyes are well developed; the vibrissae are scanty and rather short, the supralabial group attaining about 33 mm. The ears are smaller than in Martes, but quite well developed and prominently tufted with hair on their superior margins; they are broadly rounded off above, without any distinct apex (Harrison, 1968).

Syrian Marbled Polecat in Palestine. Photo by Ezra Hadad. 17.08.2019. https://www.facebook.com/1687156314903611/photos/a.1687161641569745/239243168 4376067/

Biology Behaviour of captive animals was described by Akhtar (1945). In Lebanon, the marbled polecat lived near cultivated areas and a captive specimen killed and ate spiny mice Acomys (Lewis, Lewis and Atallah, 1968). Like many mustelids, the marbled polecat produces an offensive smell. The striking and beautiful Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

10 colouration may act as a warning for other animals (Qumsiyeh, 1996). Howells (1956) describes the attempted preying of a hyaena on a polecat and how this warning and smell may ward off potential predators. Marbled polecats appear to be well adapted for digging (Roberts, 1977). In Baluchistan, they feed on Libyan jirds (Meriones libycus), hamsters, and house mice. In Armenia four to eight young are born in April and May after a gestation period of 8 weeks (Ognev, 1935; Dahl, 1954; Qumsiyeh, 1996)

Prof. Dr. Abdel Fattah Abd Rabou with a caged Marbled Polecat for sale at Al-Yarmouk Souq Market in Gaza. 14 February 2014. https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook. com%2Fphoto.php%3Ffbid%3D702931656395429%26set%3Da.212687845419815%26type %3D Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

11 Reproduction: While some investigators suggested that mating in the Marbled Polecat (V. peregusna) occurred in March and parturition in May (Atanassov, 1966; King, 1984; Ben-David, 1998), it was observed by other investigators pregnant females in January, February and May (Heptner and Naumov, 1974; Ben-David, 1998). According to Ben-David (1988, 1998) length of pregnancy in marbled polecat (V. peregusna) varied from 8-11 months, a period longer than expected for such a small Mustelid, suggesting delayed implantation or embryonic diapause. In addition, BenDavid, Pellis and Pellis (1991) investigated feeding habits and predatory behaviour in the Marbled Polecat and determined killing methods in relation to prey size and prey behaviour. Consequently, the populations of V. peregusna in Palestine/Israel were also reported by these authors as V. p. syriaca. However, in many species of Carnivores, pregnancy is longer than expected based on maternal body size and V. peregusna is one of these species. A female sample observed in a study (Tez, Gunduz and Kefelioglu, 2001) also indicated to have a long pregnancy. It was caught in September 1 and brought forth young in April 2. This was a long period.

Probably a long pregnancy was delayed implantation or embryonic diapause as Ben-David (1988, 1998) suggested in population of V. peregusna syriaca from Palestine/Israel (Tez, Gunduz and Kefelioglu, 2001).

In Armenia four to eight young are born in April and May after a gestation period of 8 weeks (Ognev, 1935; Dahl, 1954; Qumsiyeh, 1996).

Syrian Marbled Polecats in the Gaza Strip The Syrian Marbled Polecat (Vormela peregusna syriaca Pocock, 1936) is the smallest and rarest among the carnivore species occurring in the Gaza Strip, though it happens in diverse ecological habitats in Palestine (Abd Rabou, 2011b).

It feeds on rodents and reptiles, and is active in the Gaza Strip in spring and early summer, and is under extinction threat, according to Hamdan (2021).

The first recording dates back to a skull of an immature specimen from Gaza which is preserved in the British Museum collection [British Museum No. 20.5.19.1] and was studied and measured by the British Zoologist Reginald Innes Pocock in 1936 (Harrison, 1968). The cranial measurements of this Gazan specimen are as follows: Greatest length of the skull (Gt L) 45.2 mm., Condylobasal length (CBL) 42.8 mm., Breadth of the Braincase (BB) 23.7 mm., Interorbital constriction (IC) 12.4 mm., The Maxillary Toothrow (C-M1) 14.8 mm., The Mandible (M) 29.3 mm (Pocock, 1936; Harrison, 1968).

The second recording dates back to an observational record of a Marbled Polecat by the British Naturalist Victor Howells in Wadi Gaza, south of Gaza city in 1947 (Howells, 1956). He noted that the Marbled Polecat was disliked by the Arabs in Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

12 the Gaza area because of its attacks on poultry, but this damage is somewhat offset by the fact that it consumes large numbers of rats and mice, no doubt feeding largely upon small vertebrates (Howells, 1956; Harrison, 1968).

The Third recordings date back from October 2007 until September 2010, to eight specimens that were caught alive by hand in cultivated fields or in the wild areas of the Gaza Strip, and according to zoo owners they were bought for U.S.$ 10-30 by few Gazan zoos (Abd Rabou, 2011b) (See photo on page 32). However, most of the zoo specimens were able to escape from their cages due to their very low body weights that do not exceed 0.75 kilograms as estimated by zookeepers (Abd Rabou, 2011b).

The fourth record was of a live specimen that was caught in the Gaza Strip, and was offered for sale at the Yarmouk Souq Market in Gaza in February 2014 (Abd Rabou, 2014) (See photo on page 10).

The fifth record was of a Syrian Marbled Polecat caught alive in the eastern boundaries of Gaza City in April 2021 (Hamdan, 2021; Khalaf, 2021b) (See photo on page 1).

The sixth record was of a polecat caught alive from Rafah area, southern Gaza Strip in June 2021. This was the second record in 2 months from the Gaza Strip (Khalaf, 2021h) (See photo on page 38).

Syrian Marbled Polecats in Palestine The Syrian Marbled Polecat is the smallest carnivore predator living in Palestine today. It is known from a number of widespread localities in Palestine, where the type specimen Vormela peregusna syriaca obtained by P. A. Buxton in May 1922 at Tiberias, Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee), was described by the British Zoologist Reginald Innes Pocock (1936). Tristram (1884) reported Genetta vulgaris from Mount Carmel. Aharoni (1930) noted that Viverra genetta was very rare and that in 29 years of collecting he only had two specimens from Schedschera (Sejera, Galilee) and Wadi Fauar (= Ain el Fawwar) (Qumsiyeh, 1996). These records were suggested to be those of Vormela peregusna rather than the Genet (Kock, 1983). This is partially based on the observation that Aharoni actually based his record from the locality of Wadi Fauar on the observation of Schmitz made in 1908 (Qumsiyeh, 1996). According to Schlawe (1981) and Kock (1983), this locality lies near the lisan of the Dead Sea, the mouth of the wadi referred to now as Wadi Jarra. However, there is at least one other Wadi Al Fawwar locality in the Holy Land and it is not entirely clear where the specimen came from (Qumsiyeh, 1996). In addition to describing the type of Vormela peregusna syriaca from Tiberias, Pocock (1936) also mentioned specimens from the Jordan Valley and Gaza at the British Museum collection (Qumsiyeh, 1996). Bodenheimer (1935) recorded it from Qatra (Gedera). A specimen from Eshel HaNasi, 15 kilometers north of Bir Al-Saba’ (Beersheba) is in the Harrison collection Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

13 (Harrison, 1968). Specimens from Palestine obtained by Father Schmitz from AlQuds (Jerusalem), Bab el Wad, 10 kilometers from Al-Quds, Mar Saba, Bir Zeit, and Areeha (Jericho) are in the Berlin Zoological Museum collection (Harrison, 1968). Specimens at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem are from Al-Quds (Jerusalem), near Akka (Acre or Akko), Oranim, Khirbat Deiran (Rehovot), Tantura, and Wadi Al-Bira (Qumsiyeh, 1996). Howells (1956) records seeing a Marbled Polecat in Wadi Gaza, south of Gaza city in 1947 (Harrison, 1968).

Palestine Wildlife Society (2016) mention that the Marbled Polecat resides in the Jordan Valley and mountainous areas and the coastal plain areas in Palestine; and its conservation status as Vulnerable (Palestine Wildlife Society, 2016).

In Palestine/Israel, the species is rare and is found in the northern half of the country, and it penetrated into arid desert transition areas to the north of the Naqab (Negev) Desert in recent years, following the development of agriculture in the region (Hadad, 2019). It is found in Mediterranean woodland, and in places that are characterized by open landscapes and agricultural fields (Hadad, 2019). It does not inhabit high, cold mountains (e.g. Jabal Al-Sheikh [Mount Hermon]) (101Israel).

Syrian Marbled Polecat in Palestine. Photo by Ezra Hadad. 18.10.2017. https://www.facebook.com/1687156314903611/photos/a.1687161641569745/196670175 3615731/ Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

14 Status in Palestine: The Syrian Marbled polecat is disappearing from the landscape of our country. The Palestinian population has been estimated at 1000 or more animals in the 1970s. As of the late 1980s, there is a decrease of observations in Palestine/Israel, and the subspecies is now critically endangered (Hadad, 2019). In 2008, the marbled polecat was classified as a vulnerable species in the IUCN Red List due to a population reduction of at least 30% in the previous 10 years (Wikipedia; Hadad, 2019), and it is estimated that in the future it will decrease even more (Hadad, 2019). The alarming decline in Marbled Polecat number of records from the 1990s testifies to a population decline, thought to be due to massive construction and development in the country that causes habitat destruction, reduction in available prey by use of rodenticides (Wikipedia), roadkill (especially during breeding season) (Hadad,2019), and to competitive exclusion by the Beech Marten (Martes foina) that has expanded its distribution in Palestine/Israel (101Israel).

Marbled Polecat Vormela peregusna. Israel ATM76 Postage label. Day of Issue 11.02.2014.

Denomination 2 NIS. Stamp Designer: Zvika Roitman & Tuvia Kurtz. http://israelphilately.org.il/en/catalog/stamps/4100/ATM%20Postage%20label%20%20Weasels%20-%20Marbled%20Polecat

Syrian Marbled Polecats in Northern Arabian Peninsula The Syrian Marbled Polecat is confined to the northern parts of the Arabian Peninsula, extending only into the fringes of the desert (Harrison, 1968).

In Jordan it is named “Abu Fesi” or “Temseh” (in Karak area) and is recorded from the Jordanian north extending to Karak, Mo’tah, Zabdah area in Irbid, Dabien, Al-Mazar Al-Junoubi, Ajloun area, Wadi Mousa (Eid, 2020). A specimen obtained by Father Schmitz from Al-Salt is in the Berlin Zoological Museum collection (Harrison, 1968). The Syrian race V. p. syriaca is common in northern Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

15 Jordan, specimens at the Jordan Natural History Museum collection (Yarmouk University, Irbid) are from Al-Barha, Al-Mazar Al-Shamali, Al-Tayyibah, Harima, Kafr Ja’iz, Irbid, Al-Salt, and north of Amman Airport (Qumsiyeh, 1996); and specimens at the Jordan University Natural History Museum (Amman) are from Wadi As-Sir and Umm Al-Hiran (collected in 1984) (Qumsiyeh, 1996).

A Polecat was observed and video documented from Al-Rajef Village in AlScharah Mountains, south-west of Al-Patra (Petra), on 04.06.2021 (Alrwajfeh, 2021).

The subspecies is known to attack poultry and steal and eat poultry eggs, and to produce a foul smell when threatened and hence its name “Abu Fesi” (Father of Fart). It is very aggressive when threatened and produce a sound resembling a baby cry in a dissonant tune. The body is very flexible and goes into the smallest openings and burrows (Eid, 2020).

Eid (2020) mention that the Syrian subspecies Vormela peregusna syriaca in Jordan feeds also on snakes, lizards, small mammals, birds, and in captivity can feed on cheese and yoghurt.

The Syrian race V. p. syriaca occurs in Syria; where Misonne (1957) recorded one captured at Sheikh Hassan, 60 kilometers south-east of Tell Abiad, and the British Museum has an example from Damascus, noted by Pocock (1936). Aidek (2021) mention that it spreads in many parts of Syria, along the Euphrates River and its two tributaries (Balikh River & Khabur River) basins, the Orontes River (Al-Asi) basin, Deir Ez-Zur area, the coastal region, Ghouta of Damascus, Rief of Latakia (Latakia Countryside), but it is not found in dry places with short vegetation cover (Aidek, 2021).

Arabic names in Syria: ‫ ﻋرﯾّس اﻟﻔﺎر‬، ‫ اﻟﻧﻣس اﻟﻧﻣري‬، ‫ ﻛﺣﯾّﻠﺔ اﻟﻧﻣر‬، ‫اﻟﻧﺳﻧﺎس )اﻟظرﺑﺎن( اﻟﻣﻌرق اﻟﺳوري‬ ‫ اﻟﺳﻧﺳﺎر اﻟﻧﻣري‬، ‫ اﻟﻌرﯾّس اﻟﻣﻛﺣّل اﻟﻧﻣري‬، Specimens from the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon is in the American University of Beirut. Lewis, Lewis and Atallah (1968) note it from the coast near Sidon as well as from Bekaa in Lebanon (Harrison, 1968). A preserved museum specimen (voucher number MOQ20) is at the Museum of Birds, Mammals and Butterflies of Qobayat-Lebanon (Boukhdoud et al., 2021).

The Syrian race V. p. syriaca occurs also in Iraq; a specimen from 40 miles south of Mosul is in the British Museum collection, recorded by Pocock (1936). Hatt (1959) noted another from Mosul in the Iraq Natural History Museum and a third reported by Dr. B. Allouse from Al Qosh, 45 kilometers north of Mosul (Harrison, 1968).

In 1998, a Syrian Marbled Polecat was recorded on the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt (Saleh and Basuony (1998).

Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

16

3 Lebanese Mustelids. https://www.facebook.com/LebaneseWildlife/photos/1756539304508848

References and Internet Websites 101Israel. Marbled Polecat. https://101israel.com/marbled-polecat/ Abd Rabou, Abdel Fattah N. (2005). An ecological survey and assessment of Wadi Gaza Nature Reserve, Gaza Strip – Palestine, with particular emphasis on wildlife, [Ph.D. dissertation], Department of Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, Al-Neelain University, Sudan.

Abd Rabou, A. N. (2009). On the occurrence of some carnivores in the Gaza Strip, Palestine (Mammalia: Carnivora). Zool. Mid. East 46: 109-112.

Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

17 Abd Rabou, A. N. (2009). The Zionist siege and its environmental consequences in the Gaza Strip, Palestine ... 61 years after Nakba, May 16-17, 2009, Faculty of Arts, Islamic University of Gaza, 911-933.

Abd Rabou, A. N. (2011a). On the ecology of Wadi Gaza, Gaza Strip: Survey and assessment (Wildlife is focused). Lambert Academic Publishing, Berlin.

Abd Rabou, Abdel Fattah N. (2011b). The Palestinian mammalian fauna acquired by the zoological gardens in the Gaza Strip. Nusantara Bioscience. ISSN: 20873948. Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 82-91, July 2011. https://smujo.id/nb/article/view/949/2981?fbclid=IwAR2YOLpUxPzs9YiErd C07XA9FnMvDx5_89kzSHN_0VP-xWPFZcqifalwZXY Abd Rabou, Abdel Fattah (14.02.2014). A caged Marbled Polecat for sale at AlYarmouk Souq Market in Gaza. 14 February 2014. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fa cebook.com%2Fphoto.php%3Ffbid%3D702931656395429%26set%3Da.212687845 419815%26type%3D Abd Rabou, Abdel Fattah (10.2019). On the Occurrence, Ecology and Risks of the Egyptian Mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon Linnaeus, 1758) in the Gaza Strip Palestine. Agricultural Research & Technology. Volume 23, Issue 2, October 2019. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339750507_On_the_Occurrence_Eco logy_and_Risks_of_the_Egyptian_Mongoose_Herpestes_ichneumon_Linnaeus_1 758_in_the_Gaza_Strip_-Palestine Abd Rabou, A. N., Yassin, M. M., Al-Agha, M. R., Hamad, D. M., Ali, A. S. (2007). Wild mammals in the Gaza Strip, with particular reference to Wadi Gaza.

Islamic Univ J (Ser Nat Stud Eng) 15 (1): 87-109.

Abd Rabou, Abdel Fattah N., Nour J. Musallam, Eman J. Musallam, Kamal E. Elkahlout, Kamal J. Elnabris, Tarek A. El-Bashiti, Ismail I. Abdel Aziz, Reham M. Ishneiwra, Eqbal S. Radwan, Hana S. Saada, Ashraf A. Shafei, Nedal A. Fayyad, Saleh N. Mwafy, Huda E. Abu Amra, Ramy A. Abu Alajeen, Mohammed F. Abu Owda, Randa N. Alfarra, Haifaa A. Hassouna, Reem A. Hassouna, Mohammed R. Al-Agha, Mohammed A. Abd Rabou (December 2020). The Palestinian Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Preserved at the Biology Exhibitions of the Universities of the Gaza Strip. Research in Ecology, Volume 02, Issue 04, pp. 9-21, December 2020. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/6058/35331b116a62ecd5e0a3141405891337a56 2.pdf?_ga=2.26102965.98842595.16187736371180744425.1618773637&fbclid=IwAR0XlmRbnJRnyrrDTiyX1Eew8pT6ALZwLAB-v3Q5CdWOAnIp0tRkyyhSgo Abd Rabou, Abdel Fattah N.; Kamal E. Elkahlout, Fayez A. Almabhouh, Walid F. Mohamed, Norman A. Khalaf, Mona A. Al-Sadek, Randa N. Alfarra, Lamis T. Al-Moqayed, Ashraf A. Shafei, Nedal A. Fayyad, Belal S. Adeem, Ayman W. Dardona, Abdallah S. Awad, Mohammed R. Al-Agha, Mohammed A. Abd Rabou (02.2021). Occurrence and Some Ecological Aspects of the Golden Jackal (Canis aureus Linnaeus, 1758) in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. Open Journal of Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

18 Ecology, 2021, Volume 11, Issue 2 (February 2021), pp. 105-125. ISSN Print: 21621985, ISSN Online: 2162-1993. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349114585_Occurrence_and_Some_ Ecological_Aspects_of_the_Golden_Jackal_Canis_aureus_Linnaeus_1758_in_the_ Gaza_Strip_Palestine & https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinforcitation.aspx?paperid=107121 & https://www.academia.edu/45087817/Occurrence_and_Some_Ecological_Aspe cts_of_the_Golden_Jackal_Canis_aureus_Linnaeus_1758_in_the_Gaza_Strip_Pale stine Abd Rabou, Abdel Fattah (16.04.2021). European or Eurasian Badger (Meles meles) records from the Gaza Strip. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/drarabou/posts/4094682243887003 Abu Baker, M. A., Amr, Z. (2002). Status of the Eurasian Badger, Meles meles, in Jordan (Carnivora: Mustelidae). Zool Mid East 27: 13-20.

Abu Taleb, M. H. (2008). Studies on some vertebrates of Gaza Strip – Palestine.

Ph. D. Thesis, Ain Shams University – Egypt / Al-Aqsa University – Palestine.

(The Joint Program for Higher Studies).

Aharoni, I. (1917). Zum Vorkommen der Säugetiere in Palästina und Syrien. Z. Mitt. Dt. Paläst. Ver., 40: 235-242.

Aharoni, Israel (1930). Die Säugetiere Palästinas. Z. Säugetierkd. 5: 327-343.

Aidek, Ahmad (01.06.2021). Marbled Polecat Vormela peregusna. (‫اﻟﻨﺴﻨﺎس )اﻟﻈﺮﺑﺎن‬ ‫ اﻟﻤﻌﺮق اﻟﺴﻮري‬. Syrian Wildlife Enthusiasts, Reptiles and Arthropods of Syria.

Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/393649654827265/permalink/89971267755 4291 Akhtar, S. A. (1945). On the habits of the Marbled Polecat, Vormela peregusna. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 45:142.

Al-Dabagh, Mustafa Murad (1985). The Plant and Animal Kingdoms in our Land Palestine, and its relation to the Names of Sites. Beirut. (In Arabic).

Ali-Shtayeh, M.S., Hamad A.K. (1997). Biodiversity in Palestine: West Bank and Gaza Strip, (pp. 469-529). In: Proceedings of the Arab experts meeting on biodiversity in the Arab world (Ed. ACSAD: The Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (Damascus) and the Technical Secretary of the League of the Arab States (Cairo). 1-5 October 1995, Cairo, Egypt.

ACSAD/AS/P171/1997. Damascus.

Al-Jumaily, M. M. (1998). Review of the mammals of the Republic of Yemen.

Fauna of Saudi Arabia 17: 477-502.

Allen, G. M. (1915). Mammals obtained by the Phillips Palestine Expedition. Bull.

Comp. Zool. Harv. Uni. 59: 3-14.

Alrwajfeh, Issa (06.06.2021). A Marbled Polecat was observed and video documented from Al-Rajef Village in Al-Scharah Mountains, south-west of AlPatra (Petra), Jordan on 04.06.2021. Facebook. Ain Al-Bariah – Palestine. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1857807634535452 Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

19 Amr, Z. S. (2000). Jordan country study on biological diversity: Mammals of Jordan. United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), Amman.

Amr, Zuhair S. & Disi, A. M. (1988). Jordanian Mammals acquired by the Jordan University Natural History Museum. Dirasat Nat. Sci., Amman. 15: 3-32.

Amr, Zuhair S., Kalishaw, G., Yousef, M., Chilcot, B. J., Al-Budari, Adnan (1996).

Carnivores of Dana Nature Reserve (Carnivora: Canidae, Hyaenidae, and Felidae), Jordan. Zool Mid East 13:5-16. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09397140.1996.10637701 Amr, Zuhair S., S. Woodbury, and A. M. Disi (1987). On a collection of mammals from Jordan. Dirasat Nat. Sci. (Amman), 14: 131-136.

Anonymous (1945). Further notes on Palestine Mammals. Bull. Jerusalem Nat. Club 12:1.

Anonymous (1946). The Schmitz Collection of Mammals. Bull. Jerusalem Nat. Club 23:1-2.

Appendix (2): Classification and Environmental Information on Mammals in Palestine. Palestinian National Information Centre, Palestinian National Authority, Palestine. www.pnic.gov.ps/english/Environment/Environment_Appendices.htm Araf, Dr. Shukri (1992). Palestinian Sites between two Eras and Maps. Jerusalem.

(In Arabic).

Atallah, Sana Issa (1966). Mammalogy. In: International Jordan Expedition 1966.

(Boyd, J. M., ed.). Nature, London, 212:664-666.

Atallah, S. I. (1967). A collection of mammals from El-Jafr, southern Jordan.

Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde, 32(5):307-309.

Atallah, Dr. Sana Issa (1977). The Mammals of the Eastern Mediterranean region: their ecology, systematics and zoogeographical relationships (part 1).

Säugetierkundliche Mitteilungen. 25: 241-320.

Atallah, Dr. Sana Issa (1978). The Mammals of the Eastern Mediterranean region: their ecology, systematics and zoogeographical relationships (part 2).

Säugetierkundliche Mitteilungen. 26: 1-50.

Atallah, Dr. Sana Issa. Children for the Protection of Nature in Palestine Home Page.

Atanassov, N. (1966). Vormela peregusna (Güldenstädt, 1770) in Bulgarien und der Balkanhalbinsel. Z. Säugetierk., 31: 454-464.

Bate, D.M.A. (1952). The Pleistocene mammal faunas of Palestine and East Africa.

Proc. Pan-Afr. Congr. Prehist., Oxford, 1947: 38-39.

Ben-David, M. (1988). The biology and ecology of the Marbled Polecat, Vormela peregusna syriaca, in Israel. M.Sc. Thesis, Department of Zoology, Tel-Aviv University, Israel, pp: 167.

Ben-David, M. (1998). Delayed Implantation in the Marbled Polecat, Vormela peregusna syriaca (Carnivora, Mustelidae): Evidence from mating, parturition and post-natal growth. Mammalia, 62: 269-284.

Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

20 Ben-David, M., S.M. Pellis and V.C. Pellis (1991). Feeding habits and predatory behaviour in the Marbled Polecat (Vormela peregusna syriaca): I. Killing methods in relation to prey size and prey behavior. Behaviour, 118: 127-143.

Bodenheimer, F. S. (1935). Animal Life in Palestine: An Introduction to the Problems of animal Ecology and Zoogeography. L. Mayer Pub. Jerusalem. xiii + 506 pp.

Bodenheimer, F. S. (1937). Prodromus Fauna Palestinae. Mem. Inst. Egypt., Cairo.

33: 47-51.

Bodenheimer, F. S. (1958). The Present Taxonomic Status of the Terrestrial Mammals of Palestine. Bull. Research Council of Israel, Zoology. Vol. 7B: 165189.

Bodenheimer, F. S. (1960). Animal and Man in Bible Lands. E.J. Brill Publ. Leiden. pp. 232.

Marbled Polecat Vormela peregusna. Israel ATM76 Postage label. Day of Issue 11.02.2014.

Denomination 2 NIS. Stamp Designer: Zvika Roitman & Tuvia Kurtz. https://www.ebay.com/itm/ISRAEL-2014-MARBLED-POLECAT-JERUSALEM-ATM010-LABEL-FDC-/321479527021

Boukhdoud, Liliane; Lillian D. Parker, Nancy Rotzel Mcinerney, Carole Saliba, Rhea Kahale, Hugh Cross, Elizabeth Matisoo-Smith, Jesus E. Maldonado & Magda Bou Dagher Kharrat (2021). First mitochondrial genome of the marbled polecat Vormela peregusna (Carnivora, Mustelidae). Mitochondrial DNA Part B Resources. Volume 6, 2021, Issue 3. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23802359.2021.1894997 Bunaian, F., Hatough, A., Ababaneh, D., Mashaqbeh, S., Yousef, M., Amr, Zuhair Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

21 (2001). The carnivores of the Northeastern Badia, Jordan. Turkish Journal Zool.

25: 19-25.

Clarke, J. E. (1977, 1979). Some personal experiences of conservation in dry land.

Black Lechwe, 13: 6-9.

Corbet, G.B. (1978). The Mammals of the Palaearctic Region: A Taxonomic Review. Cornell University Press, London, Pages: 314.

Dahl, S.K. (1954). The Animal World of the Armenian S.S.R., Vol. 1. Vertebrates.

Part 2. Mammals. Zoological Institute, Yerevan, 415 pp.

Danford, C.G. and E.R. Alston (1877). On the Mammals of Asia Minor. Zool.

Society, London, pp: 270-282.

Dayan, T. and E. Tchernov (1988). On the first occurrence of the common weasel (Mustela nivalis) in the fossil record of Israel. Mammalia, 52: 165-168.

Dogramaci, S. (1989). Turkiye Memeli Faunasi. Ondokuz Mayıs University, Turkey.

Eid, Ihab (02.07.2020). ‫ ﻓﺄر اﻟﺧﯾل‬. Fa’r Al-Khayl (Marbled Polecat) (Vormela peregusna). (In Arabic). Wildlife in Jordan. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/WildlifeofJordan/posts/3011882292194090 Ellerman, J.R. and T.C.S. Morrison-Scott (1951). Checklist of Palaearctic and Indian mammals 1758 to 1946. British Museum, (Natural History), London, http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/title/8595 Elliman, Wendy and Dr. Ortal, Reuven. Flora and Fauna in Israel. Focus on Israel. Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs Home Page.

EOL. European Marbled Polecat (Vormela peregusna). https://eol.org/pages/328043

A Syrian Marbled Polecat from Al-Khuraita area, west of Deir Ez-Zur, Syria. Photo by Saleh Al-Saleh. 29.04.2021. https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1154957518300452&set=pcb.899712677554291 Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

22 Exploring Nature. Polecat (Marbled). https://www.exploringnature.org/db/view/Polecat-Marbled Ferguson, Walter W. (2002). The Mammals of Israel. Written and illustrated by: Walter W. Ferguson, and Edited by: Susan Menache. Gefen Publishing House, Jerusalem and New York. pps. 160.

Gao W., Lu Z., Liang Y., Ren Z.-M. (2020). Complete mitochondrial genome of Mustela sibirica (Carnivora: Mustelidae), a protected and endangered species in China. Mitochondrial DNA B Resource 5(1):1081–1083.

Gasperetti, J., Harrison, David L., Büttiker, W. (1985). The Carnivora of Arabia.

Fauna of Saudi Arabia, 7: 397-461.

Gorsuch, Wanda A. & Serge Larivière (20.12.2005). Vormela peregusna.

Mammalian Species. No. 779, pp. 1-5, 3 figs. Published by the American Society of Mammalogists.

Gross, C. (1987). Mammals of the Southern Gulf. Arabian Heritage Series, Motivate Publishing, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Hadad, Ezra (17.08.2019). Marbled Polecat. Mammals of Israel. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2392431777709391&id= 1687156314903611 & https://www.facebook.com/1687156314903611/posts/2392431777709391/ Hamdan, Mohammad (25.04.2021). “Ibn Urs” (Polecat) lives in Palestine specifically in the eastern regions of Gaza City. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1437082853321401&set=a.297519877277 710

Marbled Polecat Info. Facebook of Sindyan. 21 June 2019. https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=404437690158987&id=35901569 4701187 Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

23 Harrison, David L. (1964). The Mammals of Arabia. Volume 1. Introduction, Chiroptera, Insectivora, Primates. Ernest Benn Ltd., London. xx + 192 pp.

Harrison, David L. (1968). The Mammals of Arabia. Volume 2. Carnivora, Artiodactyla, Hyracoidea. Ernest Benn Ltd., London. xiv + 193-381 pp.

Harrison, David L. (1972). The Mammals of Arabia. Volume 3. Lagomorpha and Rodentia. Ernest Benn Ltd., London. xvii + 384-670.

Harrison, David L. (1981). Mammals of the Arabian Gulf. George Allen & Unwin, London, pps. 92.

Harrison, David L. and Bates, P. J. (1991). The Mammals of Arabia. second edition. Harrison Zoological Museum, Sevenoaks, Kent. xvi+ 354.

Harrison, David L. and R. E. Lewis (1964). A Note on the Occurrence of the Weasel (Mustela nivalis Linnaeus, 1766) (Carnivora: Mustelinae) in Lebanon.

Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde, 29:3, 179-181.

Hatough-Bouran, A. and A. M. Disi (1991). History, distribution, and conservation of large mammals and their habitats in Jordan. Environ. Conserv., 18: 19-44.

Hatt, R.T. (1959). The Mammals of Iraq. Misc. Pub. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan.

Number 106. pps. 113.

Heptner, V.G. and N.R. Naumov, (1974). Die Säugetiere der Sowjetunion. VEB Verlag, Berlin.

Syrian Marbled Polecat at Meir Segals Garden University Zoo, Tel Aviv. https://zooinstitutes.com/unique-animals-in-country/marbled-polecat-meir-segalsgarden-university-zoo-15046.html Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

24 Hoath, R. (2003). A field guide to the mammals of Egypt. The American University in Cairo Press, Egypt.

Howells, Victor A. (1956). Naturalist in Palestine. Andrew Melrose Pub. London. pps. 180.

Ibiş O., Tez C. (2014). Phylogenetic status and genetic diversity of the Turkish marbled polecat, Vormela peregusna (Mustelidae: Carnivora: Mammalia), inferred from the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Vert Zoonol. 62(4):285–294.

Ilani, G. (1977). Zoogeographical and ecological survey of carnivores: Mammalian carnivora in Israel and the administered areas. Israel Journal of Zoology, 26(3/4):25.

Ilani, G. (1979). Zoogeographical and ecological survey of carnivores in Israel and administered areas. Israel Nature Reserves Authority, Tel Aviv, Israel.

The fur of male marbled polecats’ changes color during breeding season.

(Photo: Joachim S. Müller / Flickr). https://media.fromthegrapevine.com/wpcontent/uploads/2014/04/marbledpolecat_joachim_s_mueller_flickr.jpg

Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam (1980). Tabie’t Al-Talawon fi Al-Haywanat (The Colouration of Animals). Al-Biology Bulletin. Number 1. January 1980, Safar 1401. Biological Society, Kuwait University, State of Kuwait. pp. 4-5. (In Arabic).

Khalaf, Norman (1982). A’maar Al-Haywanat (Animal Ages). Al-Biology Bulletin. Number 18, Third Year, First Semester, Saturday 6.11.1982. Biological Society, Kuwait University, State of Kuwait. pp. 7. (In Arabic).

Khalaf, Norman (1983a). Haywan Al-Ghurair (Al-Gharir) fi Falestin wa Shibeh Al-Jazeera Al-Arabia (The Badger in Palestine and the Arabian Peninsula). AlKhalisah Bulletin. The National Palestinian Assemblage. Kuwait University, Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

25 State of Kuwait. First Year. Number 2. February 1983. pp. 12 -13. (In Arabic).

Khalaf, Norman (1983b). Ta’qib ‘Ala Maqal ‘Ilmi: Haywan Al-Ghurair (AlGharir) (A Scientific Comment: The Badger). Al-Khalisah Bulletin. The National Palestinian Assemblage. Kuwait University, State of Kuwait. First Year. Number 3. April 1983. pp. 20. (In Arabic).

Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam (1983c). The Honey Badger (Mellivora capensis) in the Arabian Peninsula. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. First Year.

Number 2. August 1983. pp. 1-30. Hanweiler, Saarland, Federal Republic of Germany. (In Arabic).

Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam (1983d). The Brown Bear in Palestine and the rest of the Arabian Peninsula. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. First Year.

Number 3. November 1983. pp. 1-6. Al Salimiah, State of Kuwait. (In Arabic).

Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam (1984-1985). The Weasel Project: Scientific Research on captive weasels (Mustela nivalis Linnaeus, 1766) in the Department of Zoology, University of Durham, Durham, England, during the Academic Year 1984-1985. Supervisor: Dr. Nigel Dunstone. Unpublished scientific research and data & scientific diary. Research Notebook. pp. 1-56.

Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam (1987). A Trip to Kuwait Zoo, State of Kuwait.

Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Rilchingen-Hanweiler, Federal Republic of Germany. Fifth Year, Number 13, Ramadan 1407 AH, April 1987 AD. pp. 1-5. (In Arabic).

Khalaf-von Palästina, Norman Ali Bassam (1988). The Honey Badger in Kuwait Zoo, State of Kuwait. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. RilchingenHanweiler, Federal Republic of Germany. Number 18, Sixth Year, Rabie’ Alakher 1409 AH, November 1988 AD. pp. 1-2. (In Arabic).

Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam (1991). A Trip to Zoo Budapest, Hungary.

Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Federal Republic of Germany. Number 21, Ninth Year, January 1991. pp. 1-4.

Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam (1991). The Otter (Lutra lutra) in Palestine.

Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Federal Republic of Germany. Number 22, Ninth Year, February 1991. pp. 1-4.

Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam (1992). Notes on the Biological Ecology of the Marshes in Southern Iraq. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Federal Republic of Germany. Number 29, Tenth Year, September 1992. pp. 1-9. (In Arabic).

Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam (1992). The United Nations Ecological Report confirms: The Regime of Saddam is destroying the Marshes (Al-Ahwar) Ecosystem. Sawt Al-Kuwait International Newspaper. Saturday 17 October 1992, 21 Rabi’e Al-Thani 1412. pp. 15. (In Arabic).

Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam (1992). An Introduction to the Animal Life in Palestine. Gazelle. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Federal Republic of Germany. Number 30, Tenth Year, October 1992. pp. 1-7. (In Arabic).

Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

26 Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam (1994). An Introduction to the Animal Life in Palestine. Shqae’q Al-Nouma’n (Anemone coronaria). A Quarterly Magazine Issued by the Program EAI (Education for Awareness and for Involvement).

Environmental Education / Children for Nature Protection. In Cooperation with Dept. of General and Higher Education. P.L.O., Palestine. Number 4. Huzairan 1994. pp. 16-21. (In Arabic).

Acquaintance Card: Majallet Al-Ghazzal (Gazelle Magazine): The Palestinian Biological Bulletin, Bonn, Germany. Shqae’q Al-Nouma’n (Anemone coronaria). A Quarterly Magazine Issued by the Program EAI (Education for Awareness and for Involvement). Environmental Education / Children for Nature Protection. In Cooperation with Dept. of General and Higher Education. P.L.O., Palestine.

Number 4. Huzairan 1994. pp. 51-52. (In Arabic).

Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam (2001). A Palestinian Zoologist: Dr. Sana Issa Atallah. In: Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin Home Page.

Environmental Affairs 2 and Dinosaurs. http://gazelle.8m.net/custom3.html Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam (2001). The Extinct and Endangered Animals in Palestine. In: Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin Home Page. Extinct and Endangered Animals and Reintroduction. http://gazelle.8m.net/photo3.html Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam (2001). Threatened Mammals. In: Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin Home Page. Extinct and Endangered Animals and Reintroduction. http://gazelle.8m.net/photo3.html Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam (2001). The Syrian Bear. In: Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin Homepage. Extinct and Endangered Animals and Reintroduction. http://gazelle.8m.net/photo3.html Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam (2001). The Mustelids of Palestine. In: Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin Homepage. Mammals in Palestine and the Book “Mammalia Arabica”. http://gazelle.8m.net/catalog.html Khalaf, Norman Ali Bassam (2001). The Common Weasel. In: Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin Homepage. Extinct and Endangered Animals and Reintroduction. http://gazelle.8m.net/photo3.html Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2004). Gazelle: Das Palästinensische Biologische Bulletin. Eine Wissenschaftliche Reise in Palästina, Arabien und Europa zwischen 1983 – 2004. / Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. A Scientific Journey in Palestine, Arabia and Europe between 1983 – 2004. ISBN 3-00-0141219. Erste Auflage / First Edition, Juli 2004: 452 Seiten / Pages. Zweite erweiterte Auflage (Second Extended Edition), August 2004: 460 Seiten / Pages. Norman Ali Khalaf, Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Germany. http://dr-norman-ali-khalafbooks.webs.com/ Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005a). The Mammals in Dubai Zoo, Dubai City, United Arab Emirates. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological bulletin. Number 45, Twenty-third Year, September 2005, Sha’ban 1426. pp. 1-14. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (In Arabic).

Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2005b). The Rafah Zoo in the Rafah Refugee Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

27 Camp, Gaza Strip, Palestine: A Story of Destruction by the Israeli Occupation Army. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 46, Twenty-third Year, October 2005, Ramadan 1426. pp. 1-11. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (In Arabic).

Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam (2005c). The Qalqilia Zoo and the Natural History Museum in the City of Qalqilia, West Bank, Occupied Palestine. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 47, Twenty-third Year, November 2005, Shawal 1426. pp. 1-10. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (In Arabic).

Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam (Member of PALESTA) (2005d).

Palestinian Scientists and Technologists Abroad (PALESTA). Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 47, Twenty-third Year, November 2005, Shawal 1426. pp. 11-12. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. (In Arabic).

Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2006a). Mammalia Palaestina: The Mammals of Palestine / Die Säugetiere Palästinas. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 55, Twenty-fourth Year, July 2006, Jumada AlThania 1427.pp. 1-46. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://archive.is/xmclD & http://web.archive.org/web/20080315233525/http://www.geocities.com/jaffa city/Mammalia_Palaestina1.html (Part 1) & http://web.archive.org/web/20090403201333/http://www.geocities.com/jaffa city/Mammalia_Palaestina2.html (Part 2).

Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali (2006b). Mammalia Arabica. Eine Zoologische Reise in Palästina, Arabien und Europa zwischen 1980-2006 / Mammalia Arabica. A Zoological Journey in Palestine, Arabia and Europe between 19802006. ISBN 3-00-017294-7. Erste Auflage, Juli 2006, 484 pp. Norman Ali Khalaf, Rilchingen-Hanweiler, Deutschland & Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://drnorman-ali-khalaf-books.webs.com/mammaliaarabica.htm Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2006c). The Mustelids of Palestine. In: Mammalia Arabica. Eine Zoologische Reise in Palästina, Arabien und Europa zwischen 1980-2006 / Mammalia Arabica. A Zoological Journey in Palestine, Arabia and Europe between 1980-2006. ISBN 3-00-017294-7. Erste Auflage (First Edition), Juli 2006. pp. 151. Self-Publisher: Norman Ali Khalaf, Rilchingen-Hanweiler, Deutschland & Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mjzf_I_b8wTX_BHd1RsuU4ykhJlIKW2/view?usp=sharing Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2006d). Mammalia Palaestina: The Mammals of Palestine / Die Säugetiere Palästinas. In: Mammalia Arabica.

Eine Zoologische Reise in Palästina, Arabien und Europa zwischen 1980-2006 / Mammalia Arabica. A Zoological Journey in Palestine, Arabia and Europe between 1980-2006. ISBN 3-00-017294-7. Erste Auflage (First Edition), Juli 2006. pp. 240-285. Self-Publisher: Norman Ali Khalaf, Rilchingen-Hanweiler, Deutschland & Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mjzf_I_b8wTX_BHd1RsuU4ykhJlIKW2/view?usp=sharing Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

28 Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2006e). The Common Weasel (Mustela nivalis, Linnaeus 1766) in Palestine and the East Mediterranean Region.

In: Mammalia Arabica. Eine Zoologische Reise in Palästina, Arabien und Europa zwischen 1980-2006 / Mammalia Arabica. A Zoological Journey in Palestine, Arabia and Europe between 1980-2006. ISBN 3-00-017294-7. Erste Auflage (First Edition), Juli 2006. pp. 286-293. Self-Publisher: Norman Ali Khalaf, RilchingenHanweiler, Deutschland & Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mjzf_I_b8wTX_BHd1RsuU4ykhJlIKW2/view?usp=sharing Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2006f). The Common Weasel (Mustela nivalis, Linnaeus 1766) in Palestine and the East Mediterranean Region.

Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 57, Twenty-fourth Year, September 2006. pp. 1-7. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://web.archive.org/web/20080320083547/http://www.geocities.com./jaffa city/Weasel_Palestine.html Khalaf-von Jaffa, Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2006g). The Mustelids of Palestine. http://web.archive.org/web/20080820200053/http://www.geocities.com/jaffa city/Palestine_Mustelid.html Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2008).

Carnivora Arabica. A Zoological Journey in Palestine, Arabia and Europe between 2005-2008. / Carnivora Arabica. Eine Zoologische Reise in Palästina, Arabien und Europa zwischen 2005-2008. First Edition, September 2008, Ramadan 1429 AH. 396 pps. Publisher: Dr. Norman Ali Khalaf, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates & Rilchingen-Hanweiler, Federal Republic of Germany. ISBN 9789948-03-459-9. (In Arabic, English and German). http://dr-norman-ali-khalafbooks.webs.com/carnivoraarabica.htm Khalaf-von Jaffa, Dr. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2008). The Common Weasel (Mustela nivalis, Linnaeus 1766) in Palestine and the East Mediterranean Region.

In: Carnivora Arabica. A Zoological Journey in Palestine, Arabia and Europe between 2005-2008. / Carnivora Arabica. Eine Zoologische Reise in Palästina, Arabien und Europa zwischen 2005-2008. ISBN 978-9948-03-459-9. First Edition: September 2008. pp. 71-78. Self-Publisher: Dr. Norman Ali Khalaf, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates & Rilchingen-Hanweiler,Deutschland. http://drnorman-ali-khalaf-books.webs.com/carnivoraarabica.htm & eBook: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/59551346/book-carnivoraarabica-by-dr-norman-ali-bassam-khalaf-von-jaffa-2008 Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2008).

Carnivora Palaestina: The Carnivores of Palestine / Die Raubtiere Palästinas.

Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. Number 82, October 2008, Shawal 1429 AH. pp. 1-25. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. https://de.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Fauna_Arabica/conversations/mes sages/31 Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

29 Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2009a). Flora and Fauna in Palestine. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Number 91, July 2009, Rajab 1430 AH. pp. 1-31. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://flora-fauna-palestine.webs.com/ Khalaf-von Jaffa, Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (2009b). Fauna Palaestina – Part One. A Zoological Journey in Palestine, Arabia and Europe between 1983 – 2006 / Fauna Palaestina – Teil Eins. Eine Zoologische Reise in Palästina, Arabien und Europa zwischen 1983 – 2006. ISBN 978-9948-03-865-8. Erste Auflage/First Edition, September 2009: 412 Seiten/Pages. Self Publisher: Dr. Norman Ali Bassam Khalaf-von Jaffa, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates & Rilchingen-Hanweiler, Bundesrepublik Deutschland. http://dr-norman-ali-khalafbooks.webs.com/faunapalaestinapart1.htm Khalaf-von Jaffa, Dr. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2009c). The Common Weasel (Mustela nivalis, Linnaeus 1766) in Palestine and the East Mediterranean Region. In: Fauna Palaestina – Part One. A Zoological Journey in Palestine, Arabia and Europe between 1983 – 2006 / Fauna Palaestina – Teil Eins. Eine Zoologische Reise in Palästina, Arabien und Europa zwischen 1983 – 2006. ISBN 978-9948-03-865-8. Erste Auflage/First Edition, September 2009. pp. 185-192. Self Publisher: Dr. Norman Ali Bassam Khalaf-von Jaffa, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates & Rilchingen-Hanweiler, Bundesrepublik Deutschland. http://drnorman-ali-khalaf-books.webs.com/faunapalaestinapart1.htm & eBook: https://www.yumpu.com/xx/document/view/59498633/fauna-palaestina-1book-by-dr-norman-ali-khalaf-2009 Khalaf-von Jaffa, Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2010). Fauna Emiratus Part One. Zoological Studies in the United Arab Emirates between 2004 - 2009. / Fauna Emiratus – Teil Eins. Zoologische Studien in die Vereinigten Arabischen Emirate zwischen 2004 - 2009. ISBN 978-9948-15-462-4. Erste Auflage/First Edition, November 2010: 350 Seiten / Pages. Self Publisher: Dr. Norman Ali Bassam Khalaf-von Jaffa, Dubai and Sharjah, United Arab Emirates & Rilchingen-Hanweiler, Bundesrepublik Deutschland. http://dr-norman-ali-khalaf-books.webs.com/faunaemiratuspart1.htm Khalaf-von Jaffa, Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (2012a). Fauna Palaestina – Part Two. Zoological Studies in Palestine between 1983 – 2009 / Fauna Palaestina - Teil Zwei. Zoologische Studien in Palästina zwischen 1983 – 2009. ISBN 978-9948-16667-2. 1. Auflage / First Edition: July 2012, Shaaban 1433 H. 208 Seiten / Pages (Arabic Part 120 Pages and the English Part 88 Pages). Publisher: Dar Al Jundi Publishing House, Jerusalem, Palestine. http://dr-norman-ali-khalafbooks.webs.com/faunapalaestinapart2.htm Khalaf-von Jaffa, Dr. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2012b). The Common Weasel (Mustela nivalis, Linnaeus 1766) in Palestine and the East Mediterranean Region. In: Fauna Palaestina – Part Two. Zoological Studies in Palestine between 1983 – 2009 / Fauna Palaestina - Teil Zwei. Zoologische Studien in Palästina zwischen 1983 – 2009. ISBN 978-9948-16-667-2. 1. Auflage / First Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

30 Edition : July 2012, Shaaban 1433 H. pp. 69-77. Publisher: Dar Al Jundi Publishing House, Jerusalem, Palestine. http://dr-norman-ali-khalafbooks.webs.com/faunapalaestinapart2.htm & eBook: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/59602956/fauna-palaestinapart-2-book-by-dr-norman-ali-khalaf-von-jaffa-2012 Khalaf-von Jaffa, Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (2012c). The Rafah Zoo in the Rafah Refugee Camp, Gaza Strip, Palestine: A Story of Destruction by the Israeli Occupation Army. In: Fauna Palaestina – Part Two. Zoological Studies in Palestine between 1983 – 2009 / Fauna Palaestina - Teil Zwei. Zoologische Studien in Palästina zwischen 1983 – 2009. ISBN 978-9948-16-667-2. 1. Auflage / First Edition: July 2012, Shaaban 1433 H. pp. 101-108. Publisher: Dar Al Jundi Publishing House, Jerusalem, Palestine. (Article in Arabic).

Khalaf-von Jaffa, Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (2013). Fauna Palaestina – Part Three.

Zoological Studies in Palestine between 2005 – 2012 / Fauna Palaestina - Teil Drei.

Zoologische Studien in Palästina zwischen 2005 – 2012. ISBN 978-9950-383-35-7.

Erste Auflage / First Edition: July 2013, Shaaban 1434 H. 364 pages (English Part 350 Pages and the Arabic Part 14 Pages). Publisher: Dar Al Jundi Publishing House, Al-Quds (Jerusalem), State of Palestine. http://dr-norman-ali-khalafbooks.webs.com/faunapalaestinapart3.htm Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2014a).

Killing Incidents of Wild Animals in the State of Palestine in 2013. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin (ISSN 0178 – 6288). Volume 32, Number 109, January 2014, Rabiea Al Awal 1435 AH. pp. 1-17. Dubai and Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. http://animals-of-palestine.webs.com/killing-incidents-ofanimals Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (2014b). Fauna Palaestina – Part Four. Zoological Studies in Palestine between 1983 – 2014 / Fauna Palaestina Teil Vier. Zoologische Studien in Palästina zwischen 1983 – 2014. ISBN 978-9950383-77-7. Erste Auflage / First Edition: July 2014, Ramadan 1435 H. pps. 456 (English part 378 pp. & Arabic part 78 pp.) Publisher: Dar Al Jundi Publishing House, Al-Quds (Jerusalem), State of Palestine. http://fauna-palaestinapart-1.webs.com/faunapalaestina4.htm Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (2014c). Haywan Al-Ghurair (AlGhurairy) Al-Farisi fi Filastin wa Shibeh Al-Jazeera Al-Arabia / The Persian Badger (Meles meles canescens Blanford, 1875) in Palestine and the Arabian Peninsula. In: Fauna Palaestina – Part Four. Zoological Studies in Palestine between 1983 – 2014 / Fauna Palaestina - Teil Vier. Zoologische Studien in Palästina zwischen 1983 – 2014. ISBN 978-9950-383-77-7. Erste Auflage / First Edition: July 2014, Ramadan 1435 H. pp. 16-36. Publisher: Dar Al Jundi Publishing House, Al-Quds (Jerusalem), State of Palestine.

Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (2014d). Killing Incidents of Wild Animals in the State of Palestine in 2013. In: Fauna Palaestina – Part Four.

Zoological Studies in Palestine between 1983 – 2014 / Fauna Palaestina - Teil Vier.

Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

31 Zoologische Studien in Palästina zwischen 1983 – 2014. ISBN 978-9950-383-77-7.

Erste Auflage / First Edition: July 2014, Ramadan 1435 H. pp. 246-270. Publisher: Dar Al Jundi Publishing House, Al-Quds (Jerusalem), State of Palestine.

Khalaf-Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher (2015a).

Haywan Al-Ghurair (Al-Ghurairy) Al-Farisi fi Filastin wa Shibeh Al-Jazeera AlArabia / The Persian Badger (Meles meles canescens Blanford, 1875) in Palestine and the Arabian Peninsula. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin (ISSN 0178 – 6288). Volume 33, Number 123, March 2015. pp. 1-17. Dubai and Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (in Arabic). http://animals-ofpalestine.webs.com/persian-badger Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (2015b). Fauna Palaestina – Part Five. Zoological Studies in Palestine between 1983 – 2016 / Fauna Palaestina – Teil Fünf. Zoologische Studien in Palästina zwischen 1983 – 2016. ISBN 978-9950383-92-0. Erste Auflage / First Edition : July 2015, Ramadan 1436 H. 448 pp.

(English Part 304 Pages and the Arabic Part 144 Pages). Publisher: Dar Al Jundi Publishing House, Al-Quds (Jerusalem), State of Palestine. http://faunapalaestina-books.webs.com/& eBook (Google Drive): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C9Vo6oBn4AAYB7XnpeIGgEXgOBZFzar6/v iew?usp=sharing Khalaf, Norman Ali (17 August 2019). Research on Durham Weasels 1984/85. ‫دراﺳﺔ ﺣﯿﻮان إﺑﻦ ﻋﺮس ﻓﻲ دورھﺎم‬. Facebook. Photo Album. https://www.facebook.com/dr.norman.ali.khalaf/media_set?set=a.10157382702 789831&type=3 Khalaf-Prinz Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Sharif Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher Mohammad Ahmad Ahmad Mostafa Abdallah Mohammad (August 2020). The Weasel Project: Scientific Research on captive weasels (Mustela nivalis, Linnaeus 1766) in the Department of Zoology, University of Durham, Durham, England, during the Academic Year 1984-1985. Supervisor: Dr. Nigel Dunstone.

Scientific Research and Data & Scientific Diary. Research Notebook. pp. 1-56.

Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Volume 38, Number 188, August 2020, pp. 1-56. Published by Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Khalaf Department for Environmental Research and Media, National Research Center, University of Palestine, Gaza, State of Palestine. https://carnivores-of-palestine2.webs.com/weasels-in-durham & https://issuu.com/dr-norman-alikhalaf/docs/weasel_project_zoology_department_durham_universit Khalaf-Prinz Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Sharif Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher Mohammad Ahmad Ahmad Mostafa Abdallah Mohammad (September 2020). The Weasel Project: Scientific Research on captive weasels (Mustela nivalis, Linnaeus 1766) in the Department of Zoology, University of Durham, Durham, England, during the Academic Year 1984-1985 (Part Two). Documents, Data and Activity Charts & Graphs. Supervisor: Dr. Nigel Dunstone. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Volume 38, Number 189, September 2020, pp. 1-32. Published by Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Khalaf Department Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

32 for Environmental Research and Media, National Research Center, University of Palestine, Gaza, State of Palestine. https://carnivores-of-palestine2.webs.com/weasels-in-durham & https://issuu.com/dr-norman-alikhalaf/docs/weasel_project_2 Khalaf, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali (17.04.2021a). A rare record from the Gaza Strip: A Badger (Meles meles) was caught alive from the eastern boundaries of Gaza City on 14.04.2021. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/dr.norman.ali.khalaf/posts/10159077072824831 Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (29 April 2021b). A rare record from the Gaza Strip : A Syrian Marbled Polecat (Vormela peregusna syriaca Pocock, 1936) was caught alive from the eastern boundaries of Gaza City on 25.04.202.

Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10159103124479831&set=a.127745184830 Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (8 May 2021c). Ghurair Caucasi (Caucasian Badger). ‫ ﻏﺮﯾﺮ ﻗﻮﻗﺎزي‬. Wikipedia Arabic. http://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/‫ﻏﺮﯾﺮ_ﻗﻮﻗﺎزي‬ Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (10 May 2021d). Wait for my next scientific article on the rare presence of Caucasian Badgers (Meles meles canescens) in the Gaza Strip. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10159127512124831&set=a.12774518483 0 Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (28 May 2021e). Wait for my next scientific article on the rare presence of the Syrian Marbled Polecat (Vormela peregusna syriaca Pocock, 1936) in the Gaza Strip, and a review of its distribution in Palestine and the northern Arabian Peninsula. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10159168031439831&set=a.12774518483 0 Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (01 June 2021f). A rare second record in 2 months from the Gaza Strip: A Badger (Meles meles) was caught alive from Al-Tal Al-Akhdar Neighborhood area, east of Al-Bureij Refugee Camp in the Central Gaza Strip, Palestine on 31.05.2021. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/dr.norman.ali.khalaf/posts/10159176963374831 Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (01 June 2021g). Video: A rare second record in 2 months from the Gaza Strip: A Badger (Meles meles) was caught alive from Al-Tal Al-Akhdar Neighborhood area, east of Al-Bureij Refugee Camp in the Central Gaza Strip, Palestine on 31.05.2021. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/dr.norman.ali.khalaf/posts/10159176972044831 Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (06 June 2021h). Gaza Wildlife in Danger: A second rare record in 2 months from the Gaza Strip: A Syrian Marbled Polecat (Vormela peregusna syriaca Pocock, 1936) was caught alive from Rafah area, southern Gaza Strip on 05.06.2021. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10159187330659831&set=a.12774518483 0 Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

33 Khalaf-von Jaffa, Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam (07 June 2021i). We must establish the Gaza Nature Reserve as soon as possible to protect what is left of the rare wild animals of Gaza. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/dr.norman.ali.khalaf/posts/10159189340594831 Khalaf-Prinz Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Sharif Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher Mohammad Ahmad Ahmad Mostafa Abdallah Mohammad (November 2022). Rare Records of the Persian or Caucasian Badger (Meles meles canescens Blanford, 1875) from the Gaza Strip, and a review of its distribution in Palestine and the northern Arabian Peninsula. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288.

Volume 40, Number 215, November 2022, pp. 1-31. Published by Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Khalaf Department for Environmental Research and Media, Palestine National Research Center, University of Palestine, Gaza, State of Palestine. (Abstracts in English and Arabic). https://palestine-stamps.webs.com/persian-badger Khalaf-Prinz Sakerfalke von Jaffa, Sharif Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam Ali Taher Mohammad Ahmad Ahmad Mostafa Abdallah Mohammad (December 2022). Rare Records of the Syrian Marbled Polecat (Vormela peregusna syriaca Pocock, 1936) from the Gaza Strip, and a review of its distribution in Palestine and the northern Arabian Peninsula. Gazelle: The Palestinian Biological Bulletin. ISSN 0178 – 6288. Volume 40, Number 216, December 2022, pp. 1-40. Published by Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Khalaf Department for Environmental Research and Media, Palestine National Research Center, University of Palestine, Gaza, State of Palestine. (Abstracts in English and Arabic). https://palestine-stamps.webs.com/syrian-marbled-polecat

A Syrian Marbled Polecat (Vormela peregusna syriaca Pocock, 1936) which was caught alive from the Gaza Strip, and was sold to a Gazan zoo. Photo: Prof. Dr. Abdel Fattah N. Abd Rabou in 2007-2010. https://smujo.id/nb/article/view/949/2981?fbclid=IwAR2YOLpUxPzs9YiErdC07XA9FnMvDx5_89 kzSHN_0VP-xWPFZcqifalwZXY Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

34 King, C.M. (1984). The Mustelids. In: The Encyclopedia of Mammals, McDonalds, D. (Ed.). Facts on File, New York, ISBN-13: 978-0871968715, pp: 108132.

Kingdon, J. (1990). Arabian mammals: a natural history. Academic Press, London.

Kock, D. (1983). Identifizierung der Palästina-Genetten von J. Aharoni als Vormela peregusna (Güldenstädt, 1770). Z. Säugetierkd., 48: 381-383.

Kock, D.; Kinzelbach, R. (1982). Der Dachs, Meles (Linnaeus, 1758) in NW-Syrien.

Zeitschrift Für Säugetierkunde. Volume 47 (5), Verlag Paul Parey Hamburg und Berlin (Deutschland, Germany) 1982.

Kruukm, Hans and Kack, Lil De (1981). Food and Habitat of Badgers on Monte Baldo, Northern Italy. Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde. Volume 46 (5). Verlag Paul Parey, Hamburg und Berlin (Deutschland, Germany). 1981.

Kumerloeve, H. (1967). Zur Verbreitung kleinasiattischer Raub-und Huftiere sowie einiger Großnager. Säuget. Mitt., 4: 337-409.

Kurtonur, C., B. Ozkan, I. Albayrak, E. Kivanc and H. Kefelioglu (1996). Turkiye Omurgalilar Tur Listesi (Memeliler). R and D Facility Institute of Tubitak, Turkey.

Lehmann, E. (1966). Taxonomische Bemerkungen zur säugerausbeute der kumerloeveschen Orient-reisen. Zoologische Beiträge, 12: 251-317, Berlin.

Lewis, R. E. and Dr. Sana Issa Atallah (1966). A note on the occurrence of Mellivora capensis ssp. in Northern Saudi Arabia (Mellivorinae: Mustelidae). Zeit.

F. Säugetierkd., 31 (1966) 115: 390.

Lewis, R. E.; Lewis, J. H.; and Dr. Sana Issa Atallah (1968). A review of Lebanese mammals. Carnivora, Pinnipedia, Hyracoidea and Artiodactyla. J. of Zool.

(London) 154: 517-531.

List of mammals of the State of Palestine. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mammals_of_the_State_of_Palestine Marbled polecat in Bulgaria. http://eecodb.bas.bg/rdb/en/vol2/Voperegu.html Marbled Polecat Info. Sindyan. Facebook. 21. June 2019. https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=404437690158987&id=3 59015694701187 Marbled Polecat walks over rocks, Israel Video. https://www.gettyimages.fi/detail/video/marbled-polecat-walks-over-rocksisrael-stock-video-footage/1B08154_0010 Masseti, Marco (1995). Quaternary Biogeography of the Mustelidae Family on the Mediterranean Islands. Proc. II It. Symp. on Carnivores. Hystrix, (n.s.) 7 (1-2) (1995): 17-34.

Masseti, Marco (2009). Carnivores of Syria. In: Neubert, E., Amr, Z., Taiti, S. and Gumus, B. (Eds): Animal diversity in the Middle East. Proceedings of the 1st Middle Eastern Biodiversity Congress, Aqaba, Jordan 20-23 October 2008, ZooKeys, 31: 229-252.

Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

35 Mendelssohn, H., Yom-Tov, Y. (1999). Fauna Palaestina: Mammalia of Israel. The Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Jerusalem, Keterpress Enterprises, 439 pp.

Misonne, X. (1957). Mammifères de la Turquie sud-orientale et du nord de la Syrie. Mammalia, Paris. 21: 53.

Mustelid Specialist Group 1996 (2004). Vormela peregusna ssp. peregusna. In: IUCN 2004. 2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Mustelids of Lebanon (14.10.2020). Lebanese Wildlife. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/LebaneseWildlife/posts/1756539501175495 & https://www.facebook.com/LebaneseWildlife/photos/1756539304508848 & https://www.facebook.com/LebaneseWildlife/photos/1756539457842166 Nader, I. A. (1989). Rare and endangered mammals of Saudi Arabia. In: AbuZinada, A.H., Goriup, P. D., Nader, I. A. (eds): Proceedings of the First Symposium Wildlife Conservation and Development in Saudi Arabia. February 1987. National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development, Riyadh, S.A. Nader, I. A. (1990). Checklist of the mammals of Arabia. Fauna of Saudi Arabia, 11: 329-381.

Nader, I. A. (1996). Distribution and status of predators in Saudi Arabia. J. Wildlife Res, 1:210-214.

National Geographic. Vulnerable Marbled polecat. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/projects/photo-ark/animal/vormelaperegusna/ Neal, Ernest G. (1977). Badgers. Blandford Press: Poole Dorset. England 1977.

Nehring, A., (1902). Über Foetorius sarmaticus und Spermophilusb von Konstantinopel, Sitz. Ber. Ges. Naturf. Fr. Berlin.

Neumyer, Scott (24.08.2015). Israel's 10 most beautiful animals. https://www.fromthegrapevine.com/nature/israels-10-beautiful-animals Özkurt, Ş., M. Sözen, N. YİĞİT, E. Çolak (1998). Notes on distributional records and some characteristics of five carnivore species (Mammalia, Carnivora) in Turkey. Turkish J. Zool. 22: 285-288. Özkurt, Ş., M. Sözen, N. YİĞİT, E. Çolak (1999). A study on Vormela peregusna Güldenstädt, 1770 (Mammalia: Carnivora) in Turkey. Turkish J. Zool., 23: 141-144. Özkurt, Ş., M. Sözen, N. YİĞİT, E. Çolak & Reyhan Verimli (2000). On colouration and karyology of the Marbled Polecat, Vormela peregusna, in Turkey.

Zoology in the Middle East.

Volume 21, 2000, Issue 1. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09397140.2000.10637828?journ alCode=tzme20 Ognev, S. I. (1931). The Mammals of Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Vol. 2, Carnivora, Fissipidae. Glavnauka. Moscow. 775 pp.

Ognev, S. I. (1935). The Mammals of Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Vol. 3, Carnivora, Fissipidae, and Pinnipidae. Glavnauka. Moscow. 752 pp.

Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

36 Orni, Efraim and Elisha Efrat (1966). Geography of Israel. Second Revised Edition.

Israel Program for Scientific Translations, Jerusalem. 363 pp.

Palestine Wildlife Society (2016). Mammals: Marbled Polecat Vormela peregusna. http://www.wildlife-pal.org/en/life/type/2 Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (2000). Biodiversity in Palestinian territory.

Ramallah, Palestine.

Palestinian Institute for Arid Land and Environmental Studies (1996). A preliminary investigation of biodiversity in Palestine: Problems and prospects, West Bank, Palestine.

Petroelje, Tyler (2011). Vormela peregusna Marbled Polecat. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan, Museum of Zoology. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Vormela_peregusna/ Pocock, R. I. (1936). The Polecats of the Genus Putorius and Vormela in the British Museum. P. Z. S. London, 1936: 720.

Prince, F. P. G. (2001). Research in zoological gardens. Lutra, 44 (2): 75-80.

Qumsiyeh, Mazin B. (1992). Review of “Mammals of Arabia” by D.L. Harrison and P.J. Bates. J. Mammal., 73: 228-229.

Qumsiyeh, Mazin B. (1996). Mammals of the Holy Land. Texas Tech University Press. pps. 389.

Qumsiyeh, Mazin B. (2017). Fauna of Wadi Al-Quff Protected Area: Amphibians, Reptiles and Mammals. Jordan Journal of Natural History, 3, (2017), pp. 70-92. https://www.rscn.org.jo/fauna-wadi-al-quff-protected-area-amphibians-reptilesand-mammals & http://www.rscn.org.jo/sites/default/files/basic_page_files/Article_5_0.pdf

Syrian Marbled Polecat. Facebook of Shea Sandy. 16.10.2018. https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F shea.sandy%2Fposts%2F10156081522116731 Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

37 Qumsiyeh, Mazin B., Amr, Zuhair, S., Shafee, D. (1993). The status and conservation of carnivores in Jordan. Mammalia, 57 (1): 55-62.

Rifai, L. B.; D. M. Al Shafee, W. N. Al Melhim, and Zuhair S. Amr (1999). Status of the Marbled Polecat, Vormela peregusna (Güldenstädt, 1770) in Jordan. Zoology in the Middle East, 17: 5-8. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09397140.1999.10637764?journ alCode=tzme20 Roberts, T. J. (1977). Mammals of Pakistan. Ernst Benn Ltd., London, 361 pp.

Saleh, M. A. and M. Basuony (1998). A contribution to the mammalogy of the Sinai Peninsula. Mammalia 62: 557-575.

Sanborn, C. C. (1940). Mammals from Iraq. Appendix F, pps. 156-162 in Field, H. The Anthropology of Iraq. Pt. I. No. 1. The Upper Euphrates. Field Mus. Nat. Hist. Anthrop. Ser. 30.

Schlawe, L. (1981). Material, Fundorte, Text- und Bildquellen als Grundlage für eine Artenliste zur Revision der Gattung Genetta G. Cuvier, 1816 (Mammalia, Carnivora, Viverridae). Zool. Abh. (Dres.), 37: 85-182.

Serhal, A. (1985). Wild mammals of Lebanon. Rihani House Est, Beirut.

Subspecies Syrian Marbled Polecat Vormela peregusna syriaca Pocock, 1936.

BioLib. https://www.biolib.cz/en/taxon/id774044/ Temple, H.J., Cuttelod, A. (2008). The status and distribution of Mediterranean mammals. IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources), New York.

Tez, Coskun; Islam Gunduz and Haluk Kefelioglu (2001). Contributions to Distribution, Reproduction Biology and Ecology of Vormela peregusna (Güldenstädt, 1770) (Mammalia: Carnivora) in Turkey. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 4: 74-76. https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=pjbs.2001.74.76 The Animal Files. Marbled Polecat. https://www.theanimalfiles.com/mammals/carnivores/polecat_marbled.html The Father Schmitz Collection. https://smnh.tau.ac.il/en/the-father-schmitzcollection/ Tikhonov, A.; P. Cavallini, T. Maran, A. Krantz, J. Herrero, G. Giannatos, M. Stubbe, J. Conroy, B. Krystufek, A. Abramov, C. Wozencraft (2008). Vormela peregusna. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Tristram, H. B. (1866). Report on the Mammals of Palestine. Proc. Zool. Soc. London.1866: 84-93.

Tristram, H. B. (1867). The Natural History of the Bible. Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge Publ. London. 515 pp.

Tristram, H. B. (1884). The Fauna and Flora of Palestine. The Survey of Western Palestine. Palestine Exploration Fund, London. 455 pp.

UNEP (2003). Desk study on the environment in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), Nairobi, Kenya.

Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

38 Wikipedia. Europäischer Dachs. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europ%C3%A4ischer_Dachs Wikipedia. European Badger. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_badger Wikipedia. Ghurair Caucasi. ‫ ﻏﺮﯾﺮ ﻗﻮﻗﺎزي‬.http://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/ ‫ﻏﺮﯾﺮ_ﻗﻮﻗﺎزي‬ Wikipedia. Ghurair Europi. ‫ ﻏﺮﯾﺮ أوروﺑﻲ‬. https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%BA%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B1_%D8%A3 %D9%88%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A8%D9%8A Wikipedia. Haywanat Filastin. ‫ﺣﯿﻮاﻧﺎت ﻓﻠﺴﻄﯿﻦ‬. by: Prof. Dr. Norman Ali Bassam Khalaf-von Jaffa. (In Arabic). http://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%AD%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86% D8%A7%D8%AA_%D9%81%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B7%D9%8A%D9%86 Wikipedia. Marbled polecat. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marbled_polecat Wikipedia. ‫إﺑﻦ ﻋﺮس ﻣﻨﺘﻦ ﻣﺠﺰع‬. https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%86_%D8%B9%D8%B1 %D8%B3_%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AA%D9%86_%D9%85%D8%AC%D8%B2%D 8%B9 Wikipedia. Tigeriltis. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tigeriltis Wikipedia. Transkaukasischer Dachs. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transkaukasischer_Dachs Wozencraft, W.C. (1993). In Order Carnivora: Mammal Species of the World. In: A Taxonomic and Geographic References, Wilson, D.E. and D.M. Reeder (Eds.).

2nd Edn., Smith Institute, Washington, DC. Yassin, M. M., Abd Rabou, A. N., Al-Agha, M. R. (2006). Preliminary survey of terrestrial vertebrate fauna and people’s awareness towards wildlife in the Northern Governorate of the Gaza Strip. Al-Azhar Bull Sci: Zool. Bot. 17(1):17-41.

Yom-Tov, Y. (1988). The zoogeography of the birds and mammals of Israel. In: Yom-Tov Y, Techernov E (eds.). The zoogeography of Israel: The distribution and abundance at a zoogeographical crossroad. ed., Dr. W. Junk Publishers, Dordrecht.

Yom-Tov, Y. (2003). Poaching of Israeli wildlife by guest workers. Biol Conserv, 110: 11-20.

Zootierliste. Syrian Marbled Polecat Vormela peregusna syriaca Pocock, 1936. https://www.zootierliste.de/en/?klasse=1&ordnung=115&familie=11514&art= 21102413 . ‫ ﺤیﺎة ﻓﻠسطین اﻟبر�ﺔ‬: ‫ﻓیسبوك‬ https://www.facebook.com/PalestineWild/posts/600535690027808?stream_ref =10 . (‫ و�ﺎﻟﺔ اﻷﻨبﺎء واﻟمﻌﻠوﻤﺎت اﻟﻔﻠسطینیﺔ )وﻓﺎ‬. ‫اﻟحیﺎة اﻟحیواﻨیﺔ ﻓﻲ ﻓﻠسطین‬ http://www.wafainfo.ps/atemplate.aspx?id=2378

Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

39

Gaza Wildlife in Danger: A second rare record in 2 months from the Gaza Strip: A Syrian Marbled Polecat (Vormela peregusna syriaca Pocock, 1936) was caught alive from Rafah area, southern Gaza Strip on 05.06.2021. https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10159187330659831&set=a.127745184830

Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022

‫‪40‬‬ ‫ﻤوﻗﻊ "اﻟحﻘیﻘﺔ اﻟدوﻟیﺔ" اﻷردﻨﻲ ‪ .‬ﻤواطن ﯿتمكن ﻤن ﻗتﻞ ﺤیوان ﻏر�ب اﻟشكﻞ دﻫسﺎً �مر�بتﻪ ﻓجر "اﻟجمﻌﺔ" ‪ ..‬ﺘﻘر�ر‬

‫ُﻤصور ‪ .‬ز�د اﻟمراﺸدة ‪. 01.07.2011 .‬‬ ‫‪http://www.factjo.com/pages/fullnews.aspx?id=28422‬‬ ‫ﻋﺎﺌﻠﺔ اﻟﻌرﺴیﺎت ﻓﻲ ﻟبنﺎن ‪ .‬ﻓیسبوك ‪.‬‬ ‫‪https://www.facebook.com/LebaneseWildlife/posts/1756539501175495‬‬ ‫اﻟحیﺎة اﻟبر�ﺔ اﻟﻌراﻗیﺔ ‪ .‬ﻓیسبوك ‪.‬‬ ‫‪https://www.facebook.com/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%8A%D8%A7%D‬‬ ‫‪8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9‬‬‫‪%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A9‬‬‫‪857867184256968‬‬ ‫اﻟمر�ز اﻟﻌراﻗﻲ ﻟﻠحیﺎة اﻟبر�ﺔ ‪ .‬ﻓیسبوك ‪.‬‬ ‫‪https://www.facebook.com/IraqiWildlifeCenter‬‬ ‫ﻤحمد ﺤمدان ﺼیﺎد اﻷﻓﺎﻋﻲ )‪) . (24.04.2021‬اﻟﻐر�ر( اﻟحیوان اﻟذي �خشﺎﻩ اﻟجمیﻊ ﻤﻊ ﻤحمد ﺤمدان ‪ .‬ﯿوﺘیوب ‪.‬‬ ‫‪https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS1M6v2pr0Q‬‬ ‫ﻤحمد ﺤمدان ﺼیﺎد اﻷﻓﺎﻋﻲ )‪) . (25.04.2021‬إﺒن ﻋرس( �ﻌیش ﻓﻲ ﻓﻠسطین وﺘحدﯿداً ﻓﻲ اﻟمنﺎطق اﻟشرﻗیﺔ ﻟمدﯿنﺔ‬

‫ﻏزة ‪ .‬ﻓیسبوك‪.‬‬ ‫‪https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1437082853321401&set=a.297519877277‬‬ ‫‪710‬‬ ‫أ‪ .‬د‪ .‬ﻧﻮرﻣﺎن ﻋﻠﻲ ﺑﺴﺎم ﺧﻠﻒ اﻟﯿﺎﻓﺎوي )‪ 8‬ﻣﺎﯾﻮ ‪ .(2021‬ﻏﺮﯾﺮ ﻗﻮﻗﺎزي ‪ .‬وﯾﻜﯿﺒﯿﺪﯾﺎ اﻟﻌﺮﺑﯿﺔ ‪.‬‬ ‫‪ http://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/‬ﻏﺮﯾﺮ_ﻗﻮﻗﺎزي‬ ‫اﻟﻈﺮﺑﺎن اﻟﻤﺮﻗﻂ )إﺑﻦ ﻋﺮس ﻣﻨﺘﻦ ﻣﺠﺰع أو ﺳﻤﻮر( ‪ .‬ﺳﻨﺪﯾﺎن ‪ .‬ﻓﯿﺴﺒﻮك ‪ 21 .‬ﯾﻮﻧﯿﻮ ‪. 2019‬‬ ‫‪https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=404437690158987&id=3‬‬ ‫‪59015694701187‬‬ ‫أﺣﻤﺪ أﯾﺪّك )‪ . (01.06.2021‬اﻟﻨﺴﻨﺎس )اﻟﻈﺮﺑﺎن( اﻟﻤﻌﺮق اﻟﺴﻮري ‪ .‬ھﻮاة اﻟﺤﯿﺎة اﻟﺒﺮﯾﺔ اﻟﺴﻮرﯾﺔ ‪ ،‬زواﺣﻒ‬ ‫وﻣﻔﺼﻠﯿﺎت ﺳﻮرﯾﺎ ‪ .‬ﻓﯿﺴﺒﻮك ‪.‬‬ ‫‪https://www.facebook.com/groups/393649654827265/permalink/89971267755‬‬ ‫‪4291‬‬ ‫ﻋﯿﺴﻰ اﻟﺮواﺟﻔﺔ )‪ . (6.6.2021‬ﺗﻢ ﻣﺸﺎھﺪة ﺣﯿﻮان اﻟﺴﻤﻮر )اﻟﺴﻠﻮل ‪ ،‬أم ﺧﻮﯾﺼﺔ( وﺗﻮﺛﯿﻖ اﻟﻤﺸﺎھﺪة ﺑﺎﻟﻔﯿﺪﯾﻮ ﻓﻲ ﻗﺮﯾﺔ‬ ‫اﻟﺮاﺟﻒ ﻓﻲ ﺟﺒﺎل اﻟﺸﺮاه ‪ ،‬ﺟﻨﻮب ﻏﺮب اﻟﺒﺘﺮاء ﻓﻲ اﻷردن ﺑﺘﺎرﯾﺦ ‪ . 4.6.2021‬ﻓﯿﺴﺒﻮك ‪ .‬ﻋﯿﻦ اﻟﺒﺮﯾﺔ – ﻓﻠﺴﻄﯿﻦ ‪.‬‬ ‫‪https://www.facebook.com/groups/1857807634535452‬‬

‫َ‬ ‫اﻟﻌﺎﻟﻤﯿﻦ‬ ‫واﻟﺤﻤ ُﺪ �ِ رب‬ ‫‪Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – ISSN 0178-6288 – Volume 40 – Number 216 – December 2022‬‬