Sciuropterus alboniger Hodgson, 1836 Sciuridae Don E. Wilson Thomas E. Lacher, Jr Russell A. Mittermeier 3NGGZ Hodgson 1836 [2128,2471,2473,2519] Mammalia Sciuridae Hylopetes Animalia Rodentia 55 763 Chordata species alboniger    123.    Particolored Flying Squirrel    French: Polatouche bicolore/ German:  Schwarzwei(3-Gleithornchen/ Spanish: Ardilla voladora bicolor   Taxonomy. Sciuropterus alboniger Hodgson, 1836,   “central and Northern regions of Nipal [Nepal].”  Four subspecies are recognized.    Subspecies and Distribution.  H.a.albonigerHodgson,1836—C&NNepal,NEIndia(includingSikkim),SChina(SETibet=Xizang,NWYunnan),Bhutan,N,W&EMyanmar,NThailand,Laos,extremeNECambodia,andVietnam.  H.a.chianfengensisWangSung&LuChangkwun,1966—H.a.I,China.  H. a. orinus G. M. Allen, 1940— SE China (Sichuan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Zhejiang, and Yunnan).   Descriptive notes.Head—body 175-247 mm,tail 180-230 mm; weight 236-270 g. Nominate alboniger is relatively small. Dorsal hair of the Particolored Flying Squirrel is medium brown to blackish buffy; sides, dorsal patagium, and legs are dark gray to black. Venteris white to pinkish cream. Cheeks and throat are white to buff; ventral surface of tail is dark. Ears are large and black at bases; hands and feet are blackish. Subspecies orinus is large; terminal three-quarters oftail is black.   Habitat.Mid-elevation tropical and subtropical montane regions at elevations of 1500-4500 m. The Particolored Flying Squirrel is found most often in oak (Quercus, Fagaceae) and rhododendron (Rhododendron, Ericaceae) forests or evergreen broadleaved forests of other tree species; it has also been found at lower elevations.   Food and Feeding.The Particolored Flying Squirrel feeds primarily on fruits, nuts, leaves, buds, and other plant parts from various trees including Psidium guajava (Myrtaceae), Mangifera sp. (Anacardiaceae), Neolamarckia cadamba (Rubiaceae), and Ficus curtipes (Moraceae).   Breeding.Breeding of the Particolored Flying Squirrel takes place in spring from April to mid-June. Litter sizes are 2-3 young.   Activity patterns.Particolored Flying Squirrels are nocturnal and nest in tree cavities.   Movements, Home range and Social organization.The Particolored Flying Squirrel makes high-pitched vocalizations used to locate it during night surveys. It might create nests lined with fine grasses in tree hollows, oak-leaf balls, and ferns. It has been seen gliding from limestone caves.   Status and Conservation.Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Particolored Flying Squirrel is widespread but seldom seen. It is included on Schedule II (Part II) of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. It occurs in Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Current population trend is decreasing. Threats in southern Asia include habitat destruction due to dam building, road expansion, deforestation, mining, fires, and hunting for meat. Threats in South-east Asia and China are not specifically known. Additional study on distribution, taxonomic relationships, abundance, general ecology, and threats are needed to permit effective conservation management of the Particolored Flying Squirrel.   Bibliography.Duckworth, Tizard & Molur (2008), Hilaluddin et al. (2005), Jackson (2012), Jackson &Thorington (2012), Koli (2016), Smith & Yan Xie (2008), Thomas (1921e), Thorington, Koprowski et al. (2012), Thorington, Musante et al. (1996). 3862940379 55 763