Callosciurus caniceps (Gray, 1842)
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6840226 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6818732 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/064D0660-FFD6-ED2B-FFC1-F7F6F674F2C2 |
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treatment provided by |
Diego |
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scientific name |
Callosciurus caniceps |
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Gray-bellied Squirrel
Callosciurus caniceps View in CoL
French: Ecureuil a ventre gris / German: Graubauchschénhérnchen / Spanish: Ardilla de vientre gris
Taxonomy. Sciurus caniceps Gray, 1842 ,
“Bhotan,”
restricted by Robinson and Kloss
in 1918 to N Tenasserim, Myanmar.
Eight subspecies are recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution.
C.c.canicepsGray,1842—MyanmarandThailandmainland.
C.c.adangensisMiller,1903—LangkawiandsmallIsoffthecoastofSWpeninsularThailand.
C.c.altinsularisMiller,1903—HighI,MerguiArchipelago(offSMyanmar).
C.c.bimaculatusTemminck,1853—upperpeninsularThailandandMyanmarandtheiroffshoreIs.
C.c.casensisMiller,1903—GohSindararNua(offWpeninsularThailand).
C.c.concolorBlyth,1856—MalayPeninsula.
C.c.domelicusMiller,1903—Domel,Bentinck,andKisseraingIs,MerguiArchipelago(offSMyanmar).
C. c. fallax Robinson & Kloss, 1914 — Phangnan I (off E peninsular Thailand).
Descriptive notes. Head-body 215-222 mm,tail 219-243 mm; weight 266-313 g. Dorsum and tail of the Gray-bellied Squirrel are speckled olive-brown; it has gray orsilvery gray underparts, which may be washed with red, lateral stripes are absent. Tail frequently has a black tip. Nominate subspecies caniceps is bright orange on dorsum, grading to agouti gray ventrally, with an abruptly black tail tip. The bright orange is thought to be molted to agouti gray in the wet season. Subspecies adangensis has a distinct black tail-tip, and a buffy midline on ventral surface of tail. Subspecies altinsularis is much paler than neighboring subspecies. Subspecies bimaculatus lacks a reddish suffusion in dorsal midline, but it shows this coloration on sides. It has a distinct black tail-tip and a silvery gray venter, sometimes suffused with red. Subspecies casensis is very pale gray on ventral surface of tail. Subspecies concolor has reddish suffusion in midline of dorsum, and usually lacks a black tail-tip; it is silvery gray underneath. Subspecies domelicus is dark gray ventrally, fairly dark dorsally, and intensely red on sides. Subspecies fallax has a pale tail, but a darker pelage on dorsum and venter.
Habitat. Secondary and disturbed forests, and plantations and gardens. The Gray-bellied Squirrel occurs in lowland dipterocarp forests in Malaysia. In China,it also occurs in dipterocarp forests with thick brushy vegetation. It may be found at elevations of up to ¢.2500 m, but it is more common at lower elevations.
Food and Feeding. The Gray-bellied Squirrel feeds on 13 species of plants. Its dietary composition has been recorded as fruits (45%), leaves (21%), bark (17%), flowers (10%), and other (7%). Insects are also included in the diet.
Breeding. Female Gray-bellied Squirrels reach sexual maturity at approximately 230 g. When a female comes into estrus, she attracts 6-8 males and mates with 4-6 overa sixhour period. After mating with a female, a male gives a barking vocalization for 12-35 minutes, during which time the female and the other males do not move. In the Ulu Gombak Forest Reserve, pregnant females have been trapped in most months of the year, and littersize is 1-5, with a mean of 2:2 (n = 14).
Activity patterns. The Gray-bellied Squirrel is most active from 1600 h to 1800 h, but it is also active in the morning. It is usually seen at heights of 0-10 m, less frequently at 10-15 m, and infrequently at greater heights or on the ground. Nest is spherical, with a poorly defined lateral entrance through an outer wall of small twigs or coarse leaves, which is lined with shredded fibrous material. Nest is usually in upper branches of a small tree or bush, but one was found on the ground at the foot of a bamboo clump, among leaf litter.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. Among individuals, home ranges of overlap, both between and within sexes, with those of males averaging 2-4-2-6 ha, and those of females, 1:2-1-5 ha. Home range of the Gray-bellied Squirrel does not change seasonally. They alert each other to presence of predators through specific calls, which appear to be related to type of predator observed. They appear to be well-habituated to presence of humans.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Graybellied Squirrel is widely distributed, has a presumed large population, occurs in a number of protected areas, and is adapted to human disturbance. There are no major threats to the population.
Bibliography. Abdullah et al. (2001), Duckworth (2008), Hayssen et al. (1993), Lundahl & Olsson (2002), Moore & Tate (1965), Robinson & Kloss (1918a), Saiful et al. (2001), Tamura (1993), Tamura & Yong Hoisen (1993).
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.
