This is a list of the mammal species recorded in Cape Verde. There are thirteen mammal species in Cape Verde, of which one is endangered and two are vulnerable.This list is derived from the IUCN Red List which lists species of mammals and includes those mammals that have recently been classified as extinct (since 1500 AD). The taxonomy and naming of the individual species is based on those used in existing Wikipedia articles as of 21 May 2007 and supplemented by the common names and taxonomy from the IUCN, Smithsonian Institution, or University of Michigan where no Wikipedia article was available.

The following tags are used to highlight each species' conservation status as assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature: EX Extinct No reasonable doubt that the last individual has died. EW Extinct in the wild Known only to survive in captivity or as a naturalized populations well outside its previous range. CR Critically endangered The species is in imminent risk of extinction in the wild. EN Endangered The species is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. VU Vulnerable The species is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild. NT Near threatened The species does not meet any of the criteria that would categorise it as risking extinction but it is likely to do so in the future. LC Least concern There are no current identifiable risks to the species. DD Data deficient There is inadequate information to make an assessment of the risks to this species.

Some species were assessed using an earlier set of criteria. Species assessed using this system have the following instead of near threatened and least concern categories: LR/cd Lower risk/conservation dependent Species which were the focus of conservation programmes and may have moved into a higher risk category if that programme was discontinued. LR/nt Lower risk/near threatened Species which are close to being classified as vulnerable but are not the subject of conservation programmes. LR/lc Lower risk/least concern Species for which there are no identifiable risks.

Order: Chiroptera (bats) The bats' most distinguishing feature is that their forelimbs are developed as wings, making them the only mammals capable of flight. Bat species account for about 20% of all mammals.

Family: Vespertilionidae Subfamily: Vespertilioninae Genus: Hypsugo Savi's pipistrelle, Hypsugo savii LR/lc Genus: Pipistrellus Kuhl's pipistrelle, Pipistrellus kuhlii LC Genus: Plecotus Grey long-eared bat, Plecotus austriacus LR/lc

Order: Cetacea (whales)

The order Cetacea includes whales, dolphins and porpoises. They are the mammals most fully adapted to aquatic life with a spindle-shaped nearly hairless body, protected by a thick layer of blubber, and forelimbs and tail modified to provide propulsion underwater.

Suborder: Mysticeti Family: Balaenopteridae Subfamily: Balaenopterinae Genus: Balaenoptera Common minke whale, Balaenoptera acutorostrata VU Sei whale, Balaenoptera borealis EN Bryde's whale, Balaenoptera brydei EN Blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus EN Fin whale, Balaenoptera physalus EN Subfamily: Megapterinae Genus: Megaptera Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae VU Suborder: Odontoceti Superfamily: Platanistoidea Family: Phocoenidae Genus: Phocoena Harbour porpoise, Phocoena phocoena VU Family: Physeteridae Genus: Physeter Sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalus VU Family: Kogiidae Genus: Kogia Pygmy sperm whale, Kogia breviceps DD Dwarf sperm whale, Kogia sima DD Family: Ziphidae Genus: Mesoplodon Blainville's beaked whale, Mesoplodon densirostris DD Gervais' beaked whale, Mesoplodon europaeus DD Genus: Ziphius Cuvier's beaked whale, Ziphius cavirostris DD Family: Delphinidae (marine dolphins) Genus: Orcinus Killer whale, Orcinus orca DD Genus: Feresa Pygmy killer whale, Feresa attenuata DD Genus: Pseudorca False killer whale, Pseudorca crassidens DD Genus: Delphinus Short-beaked common dolphin, Delphinus delphis LR/cd Genus: Lagenodelphis Fraser's dolphin, Lagenodelphis hosei DD Genus: Stenella Pantropical spotted dolphin, Stenella attenuata LR/cd Clymene dolphin, Stenella clymene DD Striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba DD Atlantic spotted dolphin, Stenella frontalis DD Spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris LR/cd Genus: Steno Rough-toothed dolphin, Steno bredanensis DD Genus: Tursiops Common bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus LC Genus: Globicephala Short-finned pilot whale, Globicephala macrorhynchus DD Genus: Grampus Risso's dolphin, Grampus griseus DD Genus: Peponocephala Melon-headed whale, Peponocephala electra DD

Order: Carnivora (carnivorans) There are over 260 species of carnivorans, the majority of which eat meat as their primary dietary item. They have a characteristic skull shape and dentition. Suborder: Caniformia Family: Phocidae (earless seals) Genus: Monachus Mediterranean monk seal, M. monachus possibly extirpated Suborder: Feliformia Family: Herpestidae (mongooses) Common slender mongoose, Herpestes sanguineus LC introduced

Order: Primates The order Primates contains humans and their closest relatives: lemurs, lorisoids, tarsiers, monkeys, and apes

Suborder: Haplorhini Infraorder: Simiiformes Parvorder: Catarrhini Superfamily: Cercopithecoidea Family: Cercopithecidae (Old World monkeys) Genus: Chlorocebus Green monkey, Chlorocebus sabaeus LC introduced

See also Wildlife of Cape Verde List of chordate orders Lists of mammals by region List of prehistoric mammals Mammal classification List of mammals described in the 2000s List of birds of Cape Verde List of reptiles of Cape Verde List of amphibians of Cape Verde

Notes

References