Real flying squirrels

Real flying squirrels
Japanese flying squirrel ( Pteromys momonga )
Systematics
Order : Rodents (Rodentia) Subordination : Squirrel relatives (Sciuromorpha) Family : Squirrel (Sciuridae) Subfamily : Tree squirrel and flying squirrel (Sciurinae) Tribe : Flying Squirrel (Pteromyini) Genre : Real flying squirrels
Scientific name
Pteromys
Cuvier , 1800

The real flying squirrels or Old World flying squirrels ( Pteromys , from Greek πτερο- ptero- 'wing' and μῦς mys 'mouse') are a type of flying squirrel . Only two species are included in this genus:

• European flying squirrel , Pteromys volans ( Linnaeus 1758 ), Northern Europe, Siberia , Korea , Sakhalin , Hokkaidō
• Japanese flying squirrel , Pteromys momonga ( Temminck 1844 ), Honshū , Kyushu

The designation as “real” or “European” flying squirrels is probably a bit unfortunate and has to be explained from a Eurocentric point of view, since the only species of flying squirrel occurring in Europe belongs to this genus. Both species are inhabitants of boreal coniferous forests .

literature

• Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. 2 volumes. 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD et al. 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .

Web links

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