Idiurus zenker, Matschie, 1894

Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Anomaluridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 270-279 : 279

6.

Zenker’s Pygmy Anomalure

Idiurus zenker

French: Anomalure de Zenker / German: Zenker-Gleitbilch / Spanish: Anomaluro pequeno

Other common names: Pygmy Scaly-tailed Flying Squirrel, Zenker’s Flying Squirrel

Taxonomy. I diurus zenkeri Matschie, 1894 ,

“Yaunde-Station” (= Yaoundé, Cameroon, West Africa).

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. C Africa, in Cameroon (SW and Mt Cameroon), Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic, and Republic of the Congo border (Ngotto Forest), and in NE DR Congo (from the Aruwimi and Congo rivers to the foothills of Ruwenzori and Kivu). It may also occur in the extreme W of Uganda.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 60-90 mm, tail 70-130 mm; weight 14-17 g. Zenker’s Pygmy Anomalure is the smallest species of anomalures. Dorsal fur is medium brown, with a dark gray base; ventral fur is a similar color to dorsal pelage. Vibrissae are ¢.35 mm in length. Tail is ¢.130% of head-body length and has two lines of short hairs placed laterally on each side. Zenker’s Pygmy Anomalure has a long thin tail (longer than head-body length) thatis fringed on underside by two rows of short stiff hairs.

Habitat. [.owland and montane equatorial moist forests.

Food and Feeding. Zenker’s Pygmy Anomalure feeds on insects, nuts, oil-palm fruits, and possibly exudates or nectar. Notched upper incisors project out of the mouth, which suggests that some food requires sharp chiseling.

Breeding. There is no information available for this species.

Activity patterns. Zenker’s Pygmy Anomalure roosts in hollow trees, or occasionally under bark, in small groups, but it can be found in colonies of up to 100 individuals. They nest in trees, including species of Gilbertiodendron (Fabaceae) , Klainedoxa (Irvingiaceae) , Paramacrolobium , Pentaclethra , and Pseudoprosopis (all Fabaceae ). They share their hollows with Pel’s Anomalure ( Anomalurus peli), the Long-eared Pygmy Anomalure ( I. macrotis ), and the Cyclops Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros cyclops).

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Zenker’s Pygmy Anomalure is a very efficient, fast, and agile glider. It might travel several kilometers in a night to feed. It emits a shrill, mouse-like squeak.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The [UCN Red List. Zenker’s Pygmy Anomalure is widespread, and its major conservation threat includes localized deforestation in parts of its distribution.

Bibliography. Allen (1922), Delany (1975), Haltenorth & Diller (1977), Jackson (2012), Jackson & Thorington (2012), Kingdon (1997), Rahm (1966), Rosevear (1969), Sanderson (1940), Schunke (2005), Schunke & Hutterer (2001, 2007), Stafford & Thorington (2013b).

Figures

1. Beecroft’s Anomalure (Anomalurus beecrofty), 2. Lord Derby’s Anomalure (Anomalurus derbianus), 3. Pel’s Anomalure (Anomalurus pelii), 4. Lesser Anomalure (Anomalurus pusillus), 5. Long-eared Pygmy Anomalure (Idiurus macrotis), 6. Zenker’s Pygmy Anomalure (Idiurus zenker), 7. Cameroon Anomalure (Zenkerella insignis)

Distribution. C Africa, in Cameroon (SW and Mt Cameroon), Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic, and Republic of the Congo border (Ngotto Forest), and in NE DR Congo (from the Aruwimi and Congo rivers to the foothills of Ruwenzori and Kivu). It may also occur in the extreme W of Uganda.