RE the confusion in the press, identifying the SARS-affected civets as
mustelids:
 
It's not unusual for folks to get the relationships between ferrets and
other animals confused. Here's the taxonomic classification (a sort of
a family tree of animal relationships).  Note that even the scientists
disagree on some of the classifications and names, but in general the
relationships are pretty well-accepted.
 
Order Carnivora
    Superfamily Canoidea: dog-like carnivores
    (sometimes called Arctoidea: bear-like carnivores)
       Canidae: dogs
       Ursidae: bears
       Phocidae: seals
       Odobenidae: walruses
       Otariidae: sea lions
       Procyonidae: raccoons, coati, pandas
       Mustelidae: otters, weasels and FERRETS
           subfamily Lutrinae: otters
           Melinae: European and Asian badgers
           Mellivorinae: ratel or honey badger
           Mephitinae: skunks
           Mustelinae: weasels, stoats, polecats, mink. pine martin,
                       fisher, wolverines -- and FERRETS!
               Taxidiinae: American badger (some put this under Melinae)
 
        Superfamily Feloidea or Aeluroidea: cat-like carnivores
               Viverridae: CIVETS and genets
               Herpestidae: mongooses
               Felidae: cats
               Hyaenidae: hyenas
 
Part of the confusion may be that the word "viverridae" apparently comes
from a latin word that probably referred to weasels (I don't have the
reference for this in front of me, but I think it was Pliny).  Of course,
this was before the current system of taxonomic classification, so the
categories had not yet been defined.
 
I sometimes tell people that ferrets are in the same family as otters,
since most people view otters as playful, positive creatures.  Skunks
just don't have the same positive press.
 
Hope this helps.
Claire
[Posted in FML issue 4159]