Pteromyscus pulverulentus (Gunther, 1873)
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6840226 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6818906 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/064D0660-FF8B-ED76-FF6B-F7D5F794F537 |
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treatment provided by |
Diego |
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scientific name |
Pteromyscus pulverulentus |
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Smoky Flying Squirrel
Pteromyscus pulverulentus View in CoL
French: Polatouche fuligineux / German: Rauchgraues Gleithornchen / Spanish: Ardilla voladora ahumada
Taxonomy. Sciuropterus pulverulentus Gunther, 1873 ,
“Penang, Malaysia.”
Two subspecies are recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution.
P.p.pulverulentusGunther,1873—Thai-MalaiPeninsulaandWSumatra.
P. p. borneanus Thomas, 1908 — NW Borneo.
Descriptive notes. Head-body 200-290 mm, tail 177-235 mm; weight 134— 315 g. The Smoky Flying Squirrel is about twice the size of the Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus). The Smoky Flying Squirrel is brown to blackish on dorsum and tail, with sprinkling of white; underparts are white to yellowish; and face and cheeks are gray. Nominate pulverulentus has brownish black upper parts, with sprinkling of white; underside of patagium is light grayish brown; tail is brownish gray; and edge of patagium is yellowish white. Underparts of subspecies borneanus are whitish.
Habitat. Primarily lowland primary forests below elevations of ¢.3000 m. The Smoky Flying Squirrel is relatively rare and even less common at higher elevations. Although a few secure populations are found on Borneo,it is often replaced by the Javanese Flying Squirrel (fomys horsfieldir) in more disturbed habitat on the Malay Peninsula.
Food and Feeding. The Smoky Flying Squirrel eats beetles, seeds, fruit, and leaves.
Breeding. The Smoky Flying Squirrel appears to be reproductive throughout the year, with a peak in April-June, although only a small number of females have been observed to be reproductive at any one time. In Peninsular Malaysia, average litter size for 14 females was 1-3 young (range 1-2), with an average pregnancy rate over a threeyear period of only 9%.
Activity patterns. Smoky Flying Squirrels are nocturnal and nest in tree cavities. They also rely on exposed nests in undisturbed forests.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no information available for this species.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. Current population trend of the Smoky Flying Squirrel is decreasing. Because it lives at low elevation, it is vulnerable to habitat destruction. Part of its distribution exists within well-managed national parks. More surveys and basic research on its distribution, population status, and natural history are needed to better understand threats and useful conservation action.
Bibliography. Ahl (1987), Aplin & Duckworth (2008), Haslauer (2002), Jackson (2012), Jackson & Thorington (2012), Muul & Liat (1971, 1974), Thorington & Darrow (2000), Thorington & Heaney (1981), Thorington, Koprowski et al. (2012), Thorington, Pitassy et al. (2002).
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.
