Northern Palm Squirrel
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Northern Palm Squirrel ( Funambulus pennantii ) |
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| Funambulus pennantii | ||||||||||||
| Wroughton , 1905 |
The northern palm squirrel ( Funambulus pennantii ) is a species of squirrel from the genus of the striped palm squirrel ( funambulus ). It is distributed from central and northern India via Pakistan to southeastern Iran .
features
The northern palm squirrel reaches a head-trunk length of about 13.4 to 15.5 centimeters with a weight of about 95 to 105 grams. The tail becomes 13.0 to 13.5 centimeters long and is thus slightly shorter than the rest of the body. The animals are dark brown on top with five light back stripes, of which the middle one extends to the top of the tail. The lateral stripes extend from the ear to the base of the tail, on the head there are two further stripes, one from the eye to the ear and one from below the ear under the eye to the muzzle.
distribution
The northern palm squirrel is found in central and northern India , parts of northern Bangladesh , southern Nepal, and from Pakistan to southeastern Iran , perhaps as far as Afghanistan . It was also introduced as a neozoon into various regions, especially on the Andaman Islands , which belong to India , in Perth ( Western Australia ) and in Israel . The populations living in Assam are also likely to have been introduced.
Way of life
The northern palm squirrel is a very adaptable species and lives primarily in open spaces and bushes, as well as near human settlements. It occurs in dry tropical and subtropical deciduous forests, mountain forests, grass and shrubbery areas, plantations and agricultural areas. In Jodhpur , average territory sizes of 0.21 hectares for males and 0.15 hectares for females were determined.
The animals are diurnal and live mainly in the branches of bushes and trees. They feed omnivorously on plants, insects (especially termites) and small birds when they can prey on them. They also get honey from unguarded beehives. They build a round nest that is placed in tree hollows, in the branches of trees, between palm leaves or on buildings.
Reproduction takes place in this species throughout the year, especially in March and April and July to August. The courtship behavior consists of chases in which the males run after the females, special mating calls and mutual grooming. It lasts for about a day and during this time the female mates four to five times with one or more males. A litter consists of two to four hairless young animals, which have a head-trunk length of about 4 to 5 centimeters with a tail of one to 2 centimeters in length. After 10 to 15 days, the young open their eyes, the female takes care of the young for about 25 to 30 days.
Systematics
The northern 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 Robert Charles Wroughton from 1905, who described the species using individuals from Mandvi Taluka in the region around Surat in the Indian state of Gujarat .
Two subspecies are distinguished within the species, including the nominate form :
- Funambulus pennantii pennantii : nominate form, in Nepal and India to Bangladesh. The shape is darker than funambulus p. argentescens .
- Funambulus pennantii argentescens in Pakistan and southeastern Iran. The shape is paler than the nominate shape, especially on the ventral side, and has white parts, the tail is whitish. She also has paler legs and feet.
Status, threat and protection
The northern palm squirrel is next to the Indian palm squirrel 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 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 h i j Richard W. Thorington Jr., John L. Koprowski, Michael A. Steele: Squirrels of the World. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2012; Pp. 163-164. ISBN 978-1-4214-0469-1
- ↑ a b c Funambulus pennantii in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2014.2. Posted by: PO Nameer, S. Molur, 2008. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
- ↑ a b c Funambulus pennantii 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. 163-164. ISBN 978-1-4214-0469-1
Web links
- Funambulus pennantii inthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2014.2. Posted by: PO Nameer, S. Molur, 2008. Retrieved December 28, 2014.