Thorntail bilch

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Thorntail bilch
Dornschwanzbilch (Zenkerella insignis)

Dornschwanzbilch ( Zenkerella insignis )

Systematics
Subclass : Higher mammals (Eutheria)
Superordinate : Euarchontoglires
Order : Rodents (Rodentia)
Family : Thorntail squirrel (Anomaluridae)
Genre : Thorntail bilche
Type : Thorntail bilch
Scientific name of the  genus
Zenkerella
Matschie , 1898
Scientific name of the  species
Zenkerella insignis
Matschie , 1898

The thorntail bilch ( Zenkerella insignis ) is a rodent in the thorntail squirrel family and the only species in its genus. The first describer , the German zoologist Paul Matschie , named the species after the botanist and zoologist Georg August Zenker . The thorntail bilch is considered a living fossil .

features

The animal reaches a head-trunk length of 18 to 23 cm, to which a bushy tail about 16 cm long comes. As with other thorntail squirrels, there are thorny scales on the underside of the tail. The fur of the thorntail bill appears on the upper side in different shades of gray, the belly is generally lighter and the tail is usually darker. On the ankles of the rear feet, black hair covers a place with glands whose function is not yet known.

distribution

This rodent lives in western central Africa . The range is thought to extend over Cameroon , the Central African Republic , Equatorial Guinea and the Democratic Republic of the Congo , although the species has not been detected in all of the states mentioned.

Way of life

The Dornschwanzbilch uses rainforests in the lowlands and comparable regions as a habitat . As only fourteen specimens have been found so far, very little is known about the way of life of the thorntail bilch. In contrast to other thorntail squirrels, there is no sliding membrane , so it is believed that the species is more likely to walk on the ground and climb trees. Presumably these animals are mainly nocturnal loners. Up to three young animals are born per litter, otherwise nothing is known about reproduction. After the suckling period, the young animals receive pre-chewed food from their parents' cheek pouches. It is believed that the thorntail billy eats the same food as other thorntail squirrels.

Systematics

Historical representation of the thorn tail bilch

The thorn-tailed billy is classified as the only species within the monotypical genus Zenkerella within the thorn-tailed squirrels (Anomaluridae). There is no close relationship to the dormouse . The first scientific description comes from the German zoologist Paul Matschie from 1898, who described the species using individuals from Yaoundé in Cameroon. He named the genus after the botanist and zoologist Georg August Zenker , head of the scientific Yaoundé station in Cameroon. Apart from the nominate form, no subspecies are distinguished within the species .

Hazard and protection

Like other rainforest dwellers, the species is believed to be threatened by deforestation . Despite the poor information situation, the Dornschwanzbilch is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN (World Conservation Union) .

supporting documents

  1. ↑ Steven Heritage, David Fernández, Hesham M. Sallam, Drew T. Cronin, Josè Manuel Esara Echube, Erik R. Seiffert: Ancient phylogenetic divergence of the enigmatic African rodent Zenkerella and the origin of anomalurid gliding . In: PeerJ. No. 4 , 2016, p. e2320 , doi : 10.7717 / peerj.2320 .
  2. ^ Brian J. Stafford, Richard W. Thorington, Jr .: Genus Zenkerella, Cameroon Anomalure. and Zenkerella insignis, Cameroon Anomalure (Cameroon Scaly-Tail) In: Jonathan Kingdon, David Happold, Michael Hoffmann, Thomas Butynski, Meredith Happold and Jan Kalina (eds.): Mammals of Africa Volume III. Rodents, Hares and Rabbits. Bloomsbury, London 2013, pp. 615-617; ISBN 978-1-4081-2253-2 .
  3. ↑ a b c Zenkerella insignis . In: Don E. Wilson , DeeAnn M. Reeder (Eds.): Mammal Species of the World. A taxonomic and geographic Reference. 2 volumes. 3. Edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 .
  4. ↑ Bo Beolens, Michael Watkins, Michael Grayson: The Eponym Dictionary of Mammals. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2009, ISBN 978-0-8018-9304-9 , p. 459.
  5. ↑ Zenkerella insignis in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2010. Posted by: Hutterer, R. & Decher, J., 2008. Accessed March 18, 2011th

literature

  • Brian J. Stafford, Richard W. Thorington, Jr .: Genus Zenkerella, Cameroon Anomalure. and Zenkerella insignis, Cameroon Anomalure (Cameroon Scaly-Tail) In: Jonathan Kingdon, David Happold, Michael Hoffmann, Thomas Butynski, Meredith Happold and Jan Kalina (eds.): Mammals of Africa Volume III. Rodents, Hares and Rabbits. Bloomsbury, London 2013, pp. 615-617; ISBN 978-1-4081-2253-2 .

Web links

  • Harvey, M. & B. Lundrigan. 2004 Zenkerella insignis , Animal Diversity Web, Retrieved March 18, 2011