Hyosciurus heinrich, Archbold & Tate, 1935
publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6840226 |
DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6840505 |
persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/064D0660-FFC4-ED39-FAC8-FAFAF703FCAF |
treatment provided by |
Diego |
scientific name |
Hyosciurus heinrich |
status |
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Montane Long-nosed Squirrel
French: Ecureuil de Heinrich / German: Bergland-Ferkelhérnchen / Spanish: Ardilla de hocico largo de montana
Taxonomy. Hyosciurus heinrichi Archbold & Tate, 1935 ,
“Latimodjong Mts., south-
ern Celebes, 2300 m” (Sulawesi, Indonesia).
This species is monotypic.
Distribution. WC Sulawesi Mts.
Descriptive notes. Head-body 195-240 mm, tail 656-120 mm; weight 228-370 g. Dorsum of the Montane Longnosed Squirrel is dark brown, flecked with buff and black, and venter is dark brownish gray with highly variable patches of white fur in mid-ventral region. The white fur can vary from a swath of irregularly outlined white, extending from neck to base oftail, to an irregular white stripe that is divided by background brown pelage into patches of white on chest and inguinal regions. Tail is the same color as dorsum, and a ring of hairless dark buffy colored skin encircles each eye. On nape of neck, hair coloration is reversed, with 30-40 mm in the median portion. The Montane LLong-nosed Squirrel can be distinguished from the Lowland Long-nosed Squirrel (H. ileile) by its white venter, which is cream colored in the Lowland Long-nosed Squirrel. The Montane Longnosed Squirrel is also more gracile,less stocky, lighter weight, has a darker dorsum, longer coloration reversal on nape, shorter body and tail, and longer ears and muzzle than the Lowland Long-nosed Squirrel.
Habitat. Primary montane tropical rainforests at elevations of ¢.1279-2287 m.
Food and Feeding. The Montane Long-nosed Squirrel consumes fruits, acorns, and arthropods. It uses its long muzzle and elongated claws to root through leaf litter to expose arthropod prey.
Breeding. Litter size in the Montane Long-nosed Squirrel is 1-2 young and females have three pairs of teats, one abdominal and two inguinal.
Activity patterns. The Montane Long-nosed Squirrel is diurnal, terrestrial, and very secretive. Its vocalizations are described as a series of single “chirps” that sound much like a bird, but are different from vocalizations of other Sulawesi squirrels. Frequency of the chirps increases with the intensity of the alarm, and when the animal is greatly alarmed or agitated, the chirps may carry tones of a “chuck,” and can even become a chatter.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no information available for this species.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Montane Long-nosed Squirrel occurs at extremely low densities in suitable habitat. However, its habitat is not under threat, as there is no forest exploitation above 1500 m throughout its distribution.
Bibliography. Musser et al. (2010), Ruedas (2008), Thorington et al. (2012).
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.