Ictonychinae
Ictonychinae is a subfamily of mustelids that includes African polecats, zorillas, grisons, and related small carnivorous mammals.
Mustelidae: Mustelidae is the mammal family containing weasels, otters, badgers, martens, and their relatives. Ictonychinae is one branch within this diverse family of carnivorous mammals.
African polecat: The African polecat is a small, nocturnal mustelid native to much of sub-Saharan Africa. It is a familiar African representative of Ictonychinae.
Carnivorous diet: A carnivorous diet derives most food energy from animal tissue. Ictonychines feed chiefly on animal prey, though their diets vary by species.
True weasels: True weasels are mustelids of the genus Mustela, including stoats, least weasels, and long-tailed weasels. They are familiar small mustelids but belong to a different lineage from Ictonychinae.
Carnivora: Carnivora is the mammalian order that includes cats, dogs, bears, seals, and mustelids. Mustelids, including Ictonychinae, belong to this broader mammalian order.
Zorilla: The zorilla, or striped polecat, is an African mustelid with bold black-and-white markings and defensive scent glands. Its striped pattern and potent defense make it a distinctive member of the subfamily.
Scent gland: A scent gland is an organ that produces chemicals used in communication or defense. Several Ictonychinae use anal-gland secretions to deter predators.
Old World badgers: Old World badgers are robust, mostly burrowing mustelids in several genera, including Meles and Arctonyx. Their body plan and ecology contrast with the generally slender ictonychines.
Musteloidea: Musteloidea is a carnivoran superfamily comprising mustelids, skunks, raccoons, and red pandas. Molecular classifications place mustelids among these related carnivoran families.
Grison: A grison is a South and Central American mustelid in the genus Galictis. Grisons show that Ictonychinae includes American as well as African mammals.