Petinomys setosus (Temminck, 1844)
publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6840226 |
DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6818827 |
persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/064D0660-FFF8-ED06-FAC5-F2E2FBBFF0AE |
treatment provided by |
Diego |
scientific name |
Petinomys setosus |
status |
|
Temminck’s Flying Squirrel
French: Polatouche a ventre blanc / German: Temminck-Gleithornchen / Spanish: Ardilla voladora de Temminck
Other common names: \ White-bellied Flying Squirrel
Taxonomy. Sciuropterus setosus Temminck, 1844 ,
“Padang, Sumatra, Indonesia.”
This species is monotypic.
Distribution. Highly fragmented distribution in N & E Myanmar (Sagaing, Shan, and Khan states), NW Thailand, the Thai-Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and the N third of Borneo.
Descriptive notes. Head-body 92-128 mm, tail 85-118 mm; weight 26-58 g. Temminck’s Flying Squirrel is small. Specimens from north of Isthmus of Kra differ slightly from those in the south, which may justify subspecies status. Specimens from the north are marginally larger in size, and they usually have a white-tipped tail. Northern specimens also have gray shoulders, grizzled dorsum, white cheeks, and black eye ring with black line continuing to nose. Those from the south have blackish brown dorsum, dark patagium, and blackish brown tail with whitish, pink, or buff colored basal fur. Cheeks are gray, sometimes with pinkish or yellowish wash. Throat and anterior ventral surface are whitish and sometimes these light patches form a partial collar. Based on sequence of cytochromeb gene, Temminck’s Flying Squirrel is closely related to the Indochinese Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes phayrei) and the Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans); analyses of numerous morphological traits support the relationship with the Southern Flying Squirrel.
Habitat. Wet tropical primary forests and small village rubber plantations. In the southern part of its distribution, Temminck’s Flying Squirrel is experiencing greater habitat loss and is found in lowland forests. In Thailand and probably Myanmar,it is found in high-elevation dry deciduous, tropical, or monsoon forests.
Food and Feeding. Temminck’s Flying Squirrel eats seeds and fruit.
Breeding. Female Temminck’s Flying Squirrel probably have 1-2 young/litter.
Activity patterns. Temminck’s Flying Squirrel is nocturnal and arboreal.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no information available for this species.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List. Current population trend of Temminck’s Flying Squirrel is decreasing. It is threatened by logging and rapid habitat conversion especially in southern parts ofits distribution. Habitat changes that limit connectivity are detrimental becauseit is unwilling to travel on the ground and its limited glide distance. More surveys and basic research on its distribution, population status, and natural history are needed to better understand threats and useful conservation action.
Bibliography. Corbet & Hill (1980), Dunn et al. (1968), Francis & Duckworth (2008c), Jackson (2012), Jackson & Thorington (2012), McKenna (1962), Muul & Liat (1971), Muul & Thonglongya (1971), Oshida & Yoshida (1998), Phillipps & Phillipps (2016), Thorington & Heaney (1981), Thorington, Koprowski et al. (2012), Thorington, Musante et al. (1996), Thorington, Pitassy & Jansa (2002), Woodruff & Turner (2009).
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.