SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF CHINESE SABLE, WITH DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SUBSPECIES

Sable is one of the most well-known fur animals.This paper presents results of our systematic investigations on the sables of China.A total of 44 specimens (skulls 32,skins 41 + 383) were examined.After making comparisons of the specimens with the published records,we are of the opinion that there is only one species of sable,namely M.zibellina,and four subspecies of sables in China,namely averini,princeps,linkouen-sis and hamgyenensis.Of the four subspecies,M.zibellina linkouensis is considered as new to science,and M.zibellina averini from the Altai mountains,and M.zilellina,prin- ceps from the Great Khingans,were recorded for the first time from China.Maries sibellina linkoriensis subsp.nov.Holotype (002): An adult male collected on February 10,1977,from Linkou,Heilungjiang province.Paratype (005): An adult female,collected on December 9,1976,from the same region.Specimens examined: 5 11,from Linkou,Shangzhi,Hailin,all in Heihagjiang province.The holotype and paratype are deposited in the Institute of Forestry,Heilungjiang province.Diagnosis: Body long;winter pelage ashy-brown;throat patch dull,sometimes orange-yellow,but very small.Important characteristics of this new subspecies are compared in the following table: