Biswamoyopterus laoensis, Sanamxay, Douangboubpha, Bumrungsri, Xayavong, Xayaphet, Satasook & Bates, 2013

Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Sciuridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 648-837 : 769

136.

Laotian Giant Flying Squirrel

Biswamoyopterus laoensis

French: Polatouche du Laos / German: Laos-Riesengleithornchen / Spanish: Ardilla voladora de Laos

Taxonomy. Biswamoyopterus laoensis Sanamxay, 2013 ,

“Ban Thongmai, Pak Kading District, Bolikhamxai Province, Lao PDR.”

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Distribution of the species is not known, the type specimen was collected from a market in C Laos.

Descriptive notes. Head-body mean 460 mm, tail mean 620 mm; weight mean 1-8 kg. The Laotian Giant Flying Squirrel. is large; dorsal pelage consists. of dark reddish brown and black hairs, grizzled whitish gray. Crown of head is pale gray, patagium is orangish, and underparts are white.

Habitat. There is no information available for this species.

Food and Feeding. There is no information available for this species.

Breeding. There is no information available for this species.

Activity patterns. There is no specific information available for this species, but the Laotian Giant Flying Squirrel is nocturnal and arboreal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no information available for this species.

Status and Conservation. Not yet assessed on The IUCN Red List. Current population trend of the Laotian Giant Flying Squirrel is unknown. More surveys and basic research onits distribution, population status, and natural history are needed to better understand threats and useful conservation action.

Bibliography. Sanamxay et al. (2013).

Figures

135. Namdapha Flying Squirrel (Buswamoyopterus biswasi), 136. Laotian Giant Flying Squirrel (Buswamoyopterus laoensis), 138. Red Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista petaurista), 139. Chinese Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista xanthotis), 140. Red-and-white Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaunista alborufus), 141. Indian Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista philippensis), 142. Gray-headed Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista caniceps), 143. Hodgson’sGiant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista magnificus), 144. Mechuka Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaunrista mechukaensis), 145. Mebo Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista siangensis), 146. Mishmi Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista mishmiensis), 147. Bhutan Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista nobilis)