Dear Readers,

In this issue we present information on the status of mustelids, viverrids and herpestids of India. The members of this group include stoats, martens, weasels, otters, civets and mongoose which we come across in our day to day life, but we hardly bother to look into their way of life. This group consists of around 136 species distributed worldwide, of which 32 species occur in India. Though the members of the family Mustelidae, Viverridae and Herpestidae outnumber other carnivores in terms of diversity, they are not as intricately involved in human culture as are felids and canids. Nevertheless, over the centuries human beings are exploiting them either for fur, meat or for the secretion that they produce from their scent glands. Also, they are kept as pets to eradicate snakes, scorpions and other domestic pests, or merely for amusement. In view of the general ferocious nature of the members of this group, magical and aphrodisiac powers have been attributed to the internal organs, fat, and other body parts of a wide variety of species and these are extensively used as medicine or as amulets.

Because of their small size, together with small cats and red panda this group is termed as small carnivores. Unlike large carnivores, which depend on a relatively narrow prey base, the small carnivores have a wide dietary range such as mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and variety of invertebrates particularly insects, and fruits. Thus, the presence of large assemblages of small carnivores is an indicator of rich biological diversity. In our second issue of the bulletin we presented information on the status of small cats of India and together with this issue we have completed a review of the status of knowledge on small carnivores of India. As evident from these works, it is clear that the mustelids, viverrids and the herpestids are the least studied species in India, and possibly elsewhere too. In our endeavour to provide sound ecological information for decision making, we in the Wildlife Institute of India initiated ecological studies on small carnivores such as otters, small cats and more recently small carnivores of Western Ghats. The results of some of these studies are reflected in this issue.

The small carnivores use a large variety of habitats ranging from rain forests to arid deserts, high altitude ecosystems, wetlands, coastal and marine ecosystems for their sustained reproduction. Conservation of natural habitats at a landscape level should therefore be the highest priority for ensuring survival of the small carnivores and also other wildlife.

In the next issue we are bringing out a directory on Protected Areas of India. Later this year, we would bring out the sixth issue on 'Indian Primates'. Your contribution by way of papers, articles, notes and information on Indian primates is solicited.

S.K. Mukherjee