Sciurus ignitus (Gray, 1867)
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6840226 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6818798 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/064D0660-FFE2-ED1F-FFCA-FB07FD2DFB9F |
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treatment provided by |
Diego |
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scientific name |
Sciurus ignitus |
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Bolivian Squirrel
French: Ecureuil de Bolivie / German: Bolivien-Hornchen / Spanish: Ardilla de Bolivia
Taxonomy. Macroxus ignitus Gray, 1867 ,
“Bolivia, near Yungas, upper Rio Beni.”
Five subspecies are recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution.
S.i.ignitusGray,1867—EofAndesinBoliviaandadjacentPeru.
S.i.argentiniusThomas,1921—BoliviatoNWArgentina.
S.i.boliviensisOsgood,1921—mostofBolivia.
S.i.cabreraiMoojen,1958—WBrazil.
S. i. irroratus Gray, 1867 — Peru, E of Andes.
Descriptive notes. Head—body 140-220 mm, tail 150-230 mm; weight 183-242 g. The Bolivian Squirrel has an agouti brown-gray dorsum, with protruding ears and postauricular buffy patch. Venter is whitish buff to pale orange. Tail is same as dorsum but often frosted in yellow to pale orange. Subspecies differ primarily in color of venter. Nominate ignitus has ocherous buff venter, argentinius has yellow undersides and pinkish to reddish tinge to ears, irroratus has yellow venter, and boliviensis has white venter. Subspecies cabrerai has distinct reddish tinge to dorsum and feet; dorsal surface is dark chestnut, grizzled with reddish hair tips; ears are edged in orange hairs with remainder of ears fulvous; there is a distinct postauricular tuft of fulvous fur; and upper surfaces of hands and feet are reddish.
Habitat. Rain and montane forests at elevations of 600-2700 m. The Bolivian Squirrel heavily uses understories and sub-canopies of disturbed and mature forests.
Food and Feeding. The Bolivian Squirrel forages on the ground and in the canopy. It is an omnivorous seed predator and frugivore that consumes nuts, mushrooms, fruits, and insects. It will also feed on cocoa and corn in small plantations. It might play an important role in seed dispersal and regeneration of the walnut (Juglans australis, Juglandaceae).
Breeding. Two female Bolivian Squirrels collected in August in Bolivia each had two embryos. Ajuvenile was captured in an arboreal trap in the dry season (June-July).
Activity patterns. The Bolivian Squirrel is diurnal and active throughout the year.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Bolivian Squirrel is usually solitary and constructs round dreys of green leaves and twigs. Nests are hidden in subcanopies of palms or dense vine tangles c.6—10 m off the ground. Individuals move readily on the ground and in the canopy.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List. Population trend of the Bolivian Squirrel is unknown. Lack of information on ecology, natural history, or threats likely impedes conservation and management efforts; it might be vulnerable to thinning and deforestation. Due to their small size, Bolivian Squirrels are not a preferred target of hunters. They are sometimes maintained as pets. Bolivian Squirrels are rarely detected in forests with high levels of human disturbance but seem to fare better than other rainforest squirrels. They are known to feed on cocoa and corn in Peru, where they can be considered pests.
Bibliography. Anderson (1997), Emmons (1990), Haugaasen & Peres (2005), Merrick et al. (2014), Thorington et al. (2012), Timm et al. (2015), Woodman et al. (1995).
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.
