Little sun squirrel

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Little sun squirrel
Systematics
Subordination : Squirrel relatives (Sciuromorpha)
Family : Squirrel (Sciuridae)
Subfamily : Ground Squirrel (Xerinae)
Tribe : Protoxerini
Genre : Sun squirrel ( Heliosciurus )
Type : Little sun squirrel
Scientific name
Heliosciurus punctatus
( Temminck , 1853)

The small or spotted sun squirrel ( Heliosciurus punctatus ) is a species of squirrel from the genus of the sun squirrel ( Heliosciurus ). It occurs in coastal West Africa from Sierra Leone to Ghana .

features

The little sun squirrel is a medium-sized squirrel and reaches an average head-trunk length of about 18.0 to 18.5 centimeters, the tail is about 20 to 21 centimeters long and the weight is about 110 to 255 grams, an average of about 170 Gram. The rear foot length is 37 to 50 millimeters, the ear length 14 to 19 millimeters. The females are, on average, slightly larger and heavier than the males. The back fur of the animals, the flanks and the legs are interspersed with dark brown and gray and sand-colored. The fur is long and soft, the hair is sepia-brown at the base, it is followed by brown and sand-colored ribbons and the tip of the hair is black. The belly side is gray and the insides of the hips are colored dark gray. The tail is comparatively long with 120% of the head-trunk length, it is thin and has alternating dark and paler rings, the underside of the tail is lighter than the top. From the partially sympatric occurring red-footed sun squirrel ( Heliosciurus rufobrachium ) it is distinguished by its small size and by the lack of red component on the legs. Compared to the gray foot squirrel ( Heliosciurus gambianus ) it has a significantly darker dorsal fur.

distribution

The little sun squirrel occurs in coastal West Africa from Sierra Leone via Liberia and Ivory Coast to Ghana . A further extension to Guinea is possible, but not confirmed.

Way of life

The little sun squirrel lives in the lowlands in the tropical primary forest as well as in the secondary forest, in smaller forest stands as well as in savannas and open areas. The little sun squirrel can probably also occur in heavily modified habitats. No studies are available on the ecology and way of life.

Systematics

The little sun squirrel is classified as an independent species within the genus of the sun squirrel ( Heliosciurus ), which consists of six species. The first scientific description comes from Coenraad Jacob Temminck from the year 1853, who described the species as Sciurus punctatus without specifying a location from the coast of " Guinea ". The possible location was later narrowed down to the Gold Coast in western Ghana. Sometimes the squirrel was regarded as a subspecies of the gray footed squirrel ( Heliosciurus gambianus ), but is now mostly regarded as an independent species.

Within the species, two subspecies are distinguished with the nominate form :

  • Heliosciurus punctatus punctatus : nominate form; occurs in the coastal forests from Liberia to the Volta in Ghana. Compared to H. p. savannius , the shape is darker.
  • Heliosciurus punctatus savannius : In the savannah area in the interior of the Ivory Coast, it is the lighter form.

Status, threat and protection

The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) does not classify the little sun squirrel in a hazard category, but rather lists it as "data deficient" due to the limited data available on occurrence and populations. There are no known risks to the existence of the plant, but the majority of the distribution area is strongly affected by logging and the conversion of former forest areas into plantations and agricultural areas. However, the species is relatively adaptable to changes in habitat.

supporting documents

  1. ↑ a b c d e Richard W. Thorington Jr. , John L. Koprowski, Michael A. Steele: Squirrels of the World. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2012; P. 227. ISBN 978-1-4214-0469-1
  2. ↑ a b c Richard W. Thorington Jr., Chad E. Shennum: Heliosciurus punctatus, Punctate Sun Squirrel (Small Sun Squirrel). 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. 65-66; ISBN 978-1-4081-2253-2 .
  3. ↑ a b Heliosciurus punctatus 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 .
  4. ↑ a b Heliosciurus punctatus in the IUCN 2015-4 Red List of Threatened Species . Posted by: P. Grubb, 2008. Retrieved December 7, 2015.

literature

  • Richard W. Thorington Jr. , John L. Koprowski, Michael A. Steele: Squirrels of the World. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2012; P. 227. ISBN 978-1-4214-0469-1
  • Richard W. Thorington Jr., Chad E. Shennum: Heliosciurus punctatus, Punctate Sun Squirrel (Small Sun Squirrel). 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. 65-66; ISBN 978-1-4081-2253-2 .

Web links