Biswamoyopterus
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Skins of the three known Biswamoyopterus species |
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| Saha , 1981 |
Biswamoyopterus is a common type of flying squirrel in Southeast Asiawith three species, each known only from one or two individuals.
features
The two species of the genus Biswamoyopterus are relatively large flying squirrels and reach head-trunk lengths of about 40 centimeters with a significantly longer tail, which is about 60 centimeters long. Both species have a red-brown fur on the back with a mixture of black, gray and whitish-gray hair and a lighter belly side. Like all flying squirrels, the species of this genus also have a hairy sliding skin that connects the wrists and ankles and is enlarged by a fold of skin between the hind legs and the base of the tail. The sliding skin is muscular and reinforced at the edge, it can be tensed and relaxed accordingly in order to control the direction of the gliding flight.
Outwardly, the species are very similar to the giant flying squirrel ( Petaurista ), but in contrast to this, ear tufts. The examination of the dentition revealed considerable deviations from all known flying squirrels. The incisors are pigmented red in all flying squirrels, but not in these species. The enamel and the size of the molars are also different.
distribution
The two species of the genus occur in South and Southeast Asia, but are only documented from one site. The Namdapha flying squirrel ( Biswamoyopterus biswasi ) from the Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh in India and Biswamoyopterus laoensis from the Bolikhamsai province in Laos were described.
Way of life
There are no data or observations about the way of life of the flying squirrels of this genus. Like other flying squirrels, they are probably tree-living and nocturnal.
species
Biswamoyopterus is an independent genus within the flying squirrel (Pteromini), which was scientifically described as a type species in 1981 by Subhendu Sekhar Saha together with the Namdapha flying squirrel ( Biswamoyopterus biswasi ) . Saha named both the genus and the species after the Indian zoologist and conservationist Biswamoy Biswas , who led the expedition in which the species was discovered. The description as an independent genus was justified by clear differences, especially in the teeth of already known flying squirrels.
Until the first description of Biswamoyopterus laoensis as the second species of the genus in 2013, the genus was considered monotypical and is accordingly largely treated as monotypical in the literature to this day. In 2019, Biswamoyopterus gaoligongensis, a third species from the Gaoligong Shan in China, was described.
The following species are assigned to the genus Biswamoyopterus :
- Namdapha flying squirrel ( Biswamoyopterus biswasi Saha , 1981 ); Arunachal Pradesh , India
- Gaoligong flying squirrel ( Biswamoyopterus gaoligongensis Li et al., 2019 ); Gaoligong Shan China
- Laos flying squirrel ( Biswamoyopterus laoensis Sanamxay, Douangboubpha, Bumrungsri, Xayavong, Xayaphet, Satasook & Bates, 2013 ); Laos
Existence, endangerment and protection
The Namdapha flying squirrel is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) due to its very small assumed distribution area of less than 100 km 2 . Biswamoyopterus laoensis was not scientifically described until 2013 and is not yet recorded by the IUCN.
supporting documents
- ^ A b c Richard W. Thorington Jr., John L. Koprowski, Michael A. Steele: Squirrels of the World. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2012; Pp. 89-90. ISBN 978-1-4214-0469-1
- ↑ a b c Daosavanh Sanamxay, Bounsavane Douangboubpha, Sara Bumrungsri, Sysouphanh Xayavong, Vilakhan Xayaphet, Chutamas Satasook, Paul JJ Bates: Rediscovery of Biswamoyopterus (Mammalia: Rodentia: Sciuridae: Pteromyo species of a new description of Asia) in PDR. In: Zootaxa . Vol. 3686, No. 4, July 15, 2013, pp. 471-481, doi : 10.11646 / zootaxa.3686.4.5 .
- ↑ a b Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. 2 volumes. 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD et al. 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .
- ↑ a b Subhendu Sekhar Saha: A new Genus and a new species of flying squirrel (Mammalia: Rodentia: Sciuridae) from northeastern India , Bulletin of the Zoological Survey of India 4, 1981. ( PDF )
- ^ JL Koprowski, EA Goldstein, KR Bennett, C. Pereira Mendes: Biswamoyopterus. In: Don E. Wilson, TE Lacher, Jr., Russell A. Mittermeier (Eds.): Handbook of the Mammals of the World: Lagomorphs and Rodents 1. (HMW, Volume 6) Lynx Edicions, Barcelona 2016, ISBN 978- 84-941892-3-4 , p. 769.
- ↑ Quan Li, Xue-You Li, Stephen M. Jackson, Fei Li, Ming Jiang, Wei Zhao, Wen-Yu Song, Xue-Long Jiang: Discovery and description of a mysterious Asian flying squirrel (Rodentia, Sciuridae, Biswamoyopterus) from Mount Gaoligong, southwest China. ZooKeys 864, 2019; Pp. 147-160. doi : 10.3897 / zookeys.864.33678 .
- ↑ Biswamoyopterus biswasi in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2014.2. Posted by: S. Molur, 2008. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
literature
- Richard W. Thorington Jr., John L. Koprowski, Michael A. Steele: Squirrels of the World. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2012; 102. ISBN 978-1-4214-0469-1
- JL Koprowski, EA Goldstein, KR Bennett, C. Pereira Mendes: Biswamoyopterus. In: Don E. Wilson, TE Lacher, Jr., Russell A. Mittermeier (Eds.): Handbook of the Mammals of the World: Lagomorphs and Rodents 1. (HMW, Volume 6) Lynx Edicions, Barcelona 2016, ISBN 978- 84-941892-3-4 , p. 769.
