Indian palm squirrel
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Indian palm squirrel ( Funambulus palmarum ) |
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| ( Linnaeus , 1766) |
The Indian palm squirrel ( Funambulus palmarum ) is a species of squirrel from the genus of the striped palm squirrel ( funambulus ). It is common in a large area of central and southern India, as well as Sri Lanka .
features
The Indian palm squirrel reaches a head-torso length of about 14.6 to 15.0 centimeters with a weight of about 100 to 120 grams. The tail is 14.7 to 15.8 inches long and is about the same length as the rest of the body. The animals are brown on top with three light-sand-colored back stripes, the belly is also light-sand-colored. A red center line runs on the tail.
distribution
The Indian palm squirrel occurs in central and southern India as well as in Sri Lanka . The altitude distribution ranges from the lowlands to heights of about 2000 meters.
Way of life
The distribution areas of the Indian palm squirrel overlap in large parts with those of the northern palm squirrel ( Funambulus pennantii ). The Indian palm squirrel prefers the higher elevations with deciduous forests and colonizes human settlements from there. In the Western Ghats , too , the species occurs in the higher elevations, but displaces the northern palm squirrel in the Dekkan Plateau , for example . However, the species is not found in the area's evergreen rainforests.
It is diurnal and mainly lives in trees, but rarely comes to the ground. The animals feed on fruits, nuts, buds, sprouts, bark, nectar and insects. In the Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu , the animals use more than 50 different plants and feed, among other things, on the nectar of the kapok tree ( Ceiba pentandra ), which they may use to help pollinate the trees. When foraging for food, they examine the bark of trees, probably looking for insects.
The nests are built on branches, they are round and resemble bird nests. Communication takes place via high-pitched whistling tones that resemble birdsong and are slightly darker than those of the northern palm squirrel. The Bengal uhu ( Bubo bengalensis ) is one of the main predators .
Systematics
The Indian palm squirrel is classified as an independent species within the genus of the striped palm squirrel ( funambulus ), which consists of five species. The first scientific description comes from Carl von Linné from 1766, who described the species in the 12th edition of his Systema Naturæ and specified America, Asia and Africa as the distribution area. The terra typica was later restricted to the east coast of Madras , India.
Within the species, three subspecies are distinguished including the nominate form :
- Funambulus palmarum palmarum : nominate form, in western and southern India up to about 16 degrees north latitude. The back side is gray to brown, with the northern forms being more gray and the southern forms a little darker.
- Funambulus palmarum brodiei in Sri Lanka. This is the lightest shape with almost orange side stripes. The animals of the highlands are a little darker.
- Funambulus palmarum robertsoni in eastern India between the 20th and 24th degrees north latitude. This is the smallest subspecies and the basic color is gray without a brown tinge.
Status, threat and protection
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The Indian palm squirrel is the most common squirrel of its genus. It is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). This is justified by the large and expanding distribution area, the assumed frequent occurrence of the species and the great adaptability to habitat changes. There are no known threats to the company's existence.
supporting documents
- ↑ a b c d e f g Richard W. Thorington Jr., John L. Koprowski, Michael A. Steele: Squirrels of the World. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2012; Pp. 162-163. ISBN 978-1-4214-0469-1
- ↑ a b c Funambulus palmarum in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2014.2. Posted by: PO Nameer, S. Molur, 2008. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
- ↑ a b c Funambulus palmarum In: Don E. Wilson , DeeAnn M. Reeder (Ed.): 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 .
literature
- Richard W. Thorington Jr., John L. Koprowski, Michael A. Steele: Squirrels of the World. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2012; Pp. 162-163. ISBN 978-1-4214-0469-1
Web links
- Funambulus palmarum inthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2014.2. Posted by: PO Nameer, S. Molur, 2008. Retrieved December 27, 2014.