Mengkoka miniature squirrel
| Mengkoka miniature squirrel | ||||||||||||
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| Prosciurillus abstruse | ||||||||||||
| Moore , 1958 |
The Mengkoka dwarf squirrel ( Prosciurillus abstrusus ) is a species of squirrel from the genus of the Sulawesi dwarf squirrel ( Prosciurillus ) that occurs on the island of Sulawesi , which belongs to Indonesia .
features
Like the other species of Sulawesi miniature squirrel, the Mengkoka miniature squirrel is one of the smaller species of squirrel endemic to the island of Sulawesi. It reaches a head-torso length of about 11.5 to 14.8 centimeters. The tail is about 7 to 13 centimeters long, which is slightly shorter than the rest of the body. The back color and the tail of the animals are dark brown with sand-colored spots. The underside is dark gray-white, with some individuals there is also a pale sand-colored spot on the throat.
In terms of size and color, the Mengkoka dwarf squirrel corresponds to the common Sulawesi dwarf squirrel ( Prosciurillus murinus ), but it is somewhat more cloudy. In addition, the ears of the Mengkoka dwarf squirrel are white on the top instead of dark brown.
distribution
The Mengkoka dwarf squirrel occurs in the Mengkoka Mountains in the southeast of the Indonesian island of Sulawesi , where it is only known from its original location. Heights of 1500 to 2000 meters are assumed to be the height distribution.
Way of life
There is hardly any data on the way of life of the Mengkoka miniature squirrel, and no studies have been carried out since it was first described in the 1950s. It lives in the transition areas of the tropical mountain forests of medium and high elevations in the Mengkoka Mountains. The females have three pairs of teats, the litter size is unknown.
Systematics
The Mengkoka dwarf squirrel is classified as a separate species within the genus of the Sulawesi dwarf squirrel ( Prosciurillus ), which currently consists of seven species, while only five species were recognized until 2005. The first scientific description comes from Joseph Curtis Moore from 1958, who described the species using individuals from the Gunung Tanke Salokko from the Mengkoka Mountains in southeast Sulawesi from an altitude of 1500 meters.
Apart from the nominate form, no further subspecies are distinguished within the species .
Status, threat and protection
The Mengkoka miniature squirrel is listed as data deficient by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) due to the very incomplete data situation . Population figures are not known, but the habitats are considered to be comparatively unaffected, local hunting and human forest use may be relevant.
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; P. 175. ISBN 978-1-4214-0469-1
- ↑ a b c Prosciurillus abstrusus in the Red List of Threatened Species of the IUCN 2014.3. Posted by: F. Chiozza, 2008. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
- ↑ a b c Prosciurillus abstrusus 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; P. 175. ISBN 978-1-4214-0469-1
Web links
- Prosciurillus abstrusus inthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2014.3. Posted by: F. Chiozza, 2008. Retrieved March 14, 2015.