Hodgson's giant flying squirrel

Last updated

Contents

Hodgson's giant flying squirrel
Petaurista magnificus.jpg
Three individuals painted for the planned—but never published—book on animals of Nepal by 19th century naturalist B.H. Hodgson [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Genus: Petaurista
Species:
P. magnificus
Binomial name
Petaurista magnificus
(Hodgson, 1836)
Petaurista magnificus distribution map.png
Range in red as reported by the IUCN, but see text

Hodgson's giant flying squirrel (Petaurista magnificus) is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. [2] This large flying squirrel lives in Himalayan forests in Asia. Like other flying squirrels, it is nocturnal and able to glide (not actually fly like a bat) long distances between trees by spreading out its patagium, skin between its limbs. [3] [4]

Distribution and habitat

The Hodgson's giant flying squirrel is native to the Himalayan region where found in Nepal, Bhutan, southern Xizang (Tibet) in China, and the Indian states of Sikkim, far northern West Bengal and much of Arunachal Pradesh. [3] [5] [6] Although also reported from Bangladesh, [7] Myanmar (Burma), [2] and the Indian states of Assam [8] and Meghalaya, [9] its presence south and east of the Indian part of the Brahmaputra (Siang) River is questionable and likely the result of misidentifications of other species of giant flying squirrels. [8] [10] A taxonomic review of all flying squirrels did not include Bangladesh, Myanmar, Assam or Meghalaya as part of the range of the Hodgson's giant flying squirrel, [11] a checklist and distribution review of mammals of India did not include Assam or Meghalaya as part of its range, [6] and a guide to the mammals of Mainland Southeast Asia did not recognise the species as part of the fauna of Myanmar. [12]

The Hodgson's giant flying squirrel occurs at altitudes of between 400 and 3,700 m (1,300–12,100 ft), [2] but it is mostly reported from 1,500 to 2,700 m (4,900–8,900 ft). [3] [13] It is found in tropical forests, subtropical forests and temperate broadleaf forests. [2] [14] Although found in both forests that are deciduous and evergreen, it appears to prefer the former. [15]

Taxonomy and description

The Hodgson's giant flying squirrel was named by Brian Houghton Hodgson in 1836 as Sciuropterus magnificus. It was later moved to the genus Petaurista , along with the other giant flying squirrels. [11] The English name was coined later to honour Hodgson. [16] Hodgson, who has been called the "father of Indian vertebrate zoology", [8] planned on making a major book covering mammals and birds of Nepal, but to his disappointment it was never published. However, the illustrations intended for the book, including one showing three Hodgson's giant flying squirrels, are in the collection of London's Natural History Museum. [1]

Two subspecies have been described: P. m. magnificus (at least in Nepal) and P. m. hodgsoni (at least in Darjeeling; scientific name also honouring Hodgson). The latter has somewhat darker fur and differs in certain cranial measurements. [8] Some authorities recognise both subspecies, [17] [18] [19] while others consider the species monotypic with P. m. hodgsoni being a synonym. [4] [11] [20]

Appearance

This large flying squirrel has a head-and-body length of about 36–51 cm (14–20 in), a tail length of 41.5–55 cm (16.5–21.5 in) and a weight of c.1.35–1.8 kg (3.0–4.0 lb). [3] [4] [14] There are some variations in the proportions; some individuals have a longer tail than the head-and-body, [4] but it is shorter in others. [14]

The shoulders of the Hodgson's giant flying squirrel are cream–buff or golden–yellowish. This contrasts clearly with the reddish–chestnut, maroon or russet upperparts, including flanks. [3] [8] [15] The "saddle" region of the back always appears overall dark and it is sometimes mixed with some black hairs, but it can also have some hairs that are white-tipped. [8] The top of the head is dark and connected by dark thin line or broad patch to the dark "saddle". There is typically no obvious light crown patch, [3] [8] but if present it only consists of a yellowish spot that occasionally forms a streak. [19] The underparts are chestnut–orange or orange–buff. [8] The tail is dark brown at the base, the rest being reddish-brown, apart from the tip which is black. The feet are also black. [15]

Confusion with Bhutan giant flying squirrel

A Bhutan giant flying squirrel, a species often confused with the Hodgson's giant flying squirrel Petaurista nobilis (Sikkim, India)2.jpg
A Bhutan giant flying squirrel, a species often confused with the Hodgson's giant flying squirrel

Despite already being scientifically described by John Edward Gray in 1842, the Bhutan giant flying squirrel (Petaurista nobilis) has often been confused with the Hodgson's giant flying squirrel, which is found in the same general region. In 1863, Edward Blyth considered the Bhutan giant flying squirrel as a synonym of the Hodgson's giant flying squirrel. [11] Many—but not all—later sources followed this and William Thomas Blanford considered the two as seasonal variants of one species, with the Bhutan giant flying squirrel being the "summer form" and the Hodgson's giant flying squirrel being the "winter form". This was repeated by others, even authorities with access to museum specimens showing that neither colour pattern is restricted to a specific season. [8] The situation was further confused by mislabeled museum specimens, including a misidentified Bhutan giant flying squirrel that was recognised as a paratype for the Hodgson's giant flying squirrel in 1918. [8] This confusion was the source of the incorrect reports of "Hodgson's giant flying squirrels" with a light stripe along the mid-back, [8] a claim sometimes still repeated based on the original misunderstanding by Blanford. [13] Only in the late 1970s and early 1980s was it firmly established that the two species differ both in their colour patterns and size. [8] [21] In addition to its larger average size (although its tail may be shorter) and differences in the skull, the Bhutan giant flying squirrel has flanks that are roughly the same colour as the shoulder patches, it often—but not always—has a light stripe along the mid-back, and it often—but not always—has a distinct pale fulvous or orange–buff band/patch on the crown (making the dark top of the head appear rather like a bandit mask). [4] [8] [13]

Behaviour

Hodgson's giant flying squirrel is a nocturnal species. At dusk its booming calls can be heard as it emerges from its daytime hiding place in the canopy. It then glides down from the treetops to the rhododendrons and bushes growing below; the glide may cover a distance of as much as 100 m (330 ft) and terminates with a short upward movement. [15] This squirrel feeds on fruits (especially nuts, chestnuts and acorns), young leaves, buds, flowers, grass, tree resin and insects. [3] [15] It sleeps during the day in a tree hole 5–15 m (15–50 ft) above the ground, lined with soft vegetation and fur. [15] [17] Little is known of its reproductive behaviour, but pregnant females have been recorded in November. [17] There is typically only one young in each litter (as typical of giant flying squirrels), [3] occasionally two. [17]

Status

The total number of Hodgson's giant flying squirrels is thought to be decreasing, but it is found in several protected areas and it is sufficiently widespread to be recognised as least concern by the IUCN. [2] The primary threat is habitat loss and degradation. [2] [13] Secondary threats are hunting for bushmeat and its pelt, [5] and capture for the local pet trade. [16] Captives are generally short-lived. [22] Free-ranging dogs sometimes kill Hodgson's giant flying squirrels. [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Squirrel</span> Family of rodents

Squirrels are members of the family Sciuridae, a family that includes small or medium-sized rodents. The squirrel family includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels, and flying squirrels. Squirrels are indigenous to the Americas, Eurasia, and Africa, and were introduced by humans to Australia. The earliest known fossilized squirrels date from the Eocene epoch, and among other living rodent families, the squirrels are most closely related to the mountain beaver and to the dormice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flying squirrel</span> Tribe of mammals

Flying squirrels are a tribe of 50 species of squirrels in the family Sciuridae. Despite their name, they are not in fact capable of full flight in the same way as birds or bats, but they are able to glide from one tree to another with the aid of a patagium, a furred skin membrane that stretches from wrist to ankle. Their long tails also provide stability as they glide. Anatomically they are very similar to other squirrels with a number of adaptations to suit their lifestyle; their limb bones are longer and their hand bones, foot bones, and distal vertebrae are shorter. Flying squirrels are able to steer and exert control over their glide path with their limbs and tail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western woolly flying squirrel</span> Species of rodent

The western woolly flying squirrel is a species of very large flying squirrel in the genus Eupetaurus. It is native to northern Pakistan and northwestern India. It was long considered the only species in the genus until the description of two other species in 2021. Until recently, scientific knowledge of this rare species was limited to 11 skins collected in the late nineteenth century. However, recent research has confirmed that it remains in Kashmir. It is among the longest members of the family Sciuridae, and one of the biggest gliding animals known. Observations confirm that despite its size, it does glide effectively, like other flying squirrels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sciurinae</span> Subfamily of rodents

Sciurinae is a subfamily of squirrels, uniting the flying squirrels with certain related tree squirrels. Older sources place the flying squirrels in a separate subfamily (Pteromyinae) and unite all remaining sciurids into the subfamily Sciurinae, but this has been strongly refuted by genetic studies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grizzled giant squirrel</span> Species of rodent

The grizzled giant squirrel is a large tree squirrel in the genus Ratufa found in the highlands of the Central and Uva provinces of Sri Lanka, and in patches of riparian forest along the Kaveri River and in the hill forests of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala states of southern India. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the species as near threatened due to habitat loss and hunting.

<i>Biswamoyopterus</i> Genus of rodents

Biswamoyopterus is a genus of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It contains three known species of very large flying squirrels, with B. laoensis being among the longest of all squirrels. They are distributed in forests in northeast India, southwest China and Laos. Despite their size, species in this genus tend to be very elusive; due to this, all of them have been described relatively recently. Additionally, they are easily confused with certain Petaurista giant flying squirrels that are more common and overlap in range with the rare Biswamoyopterus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red giant flying squirrel</span> Species of rodent

The red giant flying squirrel or common giant flying squirrel is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae (squirrels). It is found in a wide variety of forest–types, plantations and more open habitats with scattered trees in Southeast Asia, ranging north to the Himalayas and southern and central China. One of the largest arboreal squirrels, all populations have at least some reddish-brown above and pale underparts, but otherwise there are significant geographic variations in the colours. The taxonomic position of those in the Sundaic region is generally agreed upon, but there is considerable uncertainty about the others, which variously have been included in this or other species, or recognized as their own species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern Himalayan broadleaf forests</span>

The Eastern Himalayan broadleaf forests is a temperate broadleaf forest ecoregion found in the middle elevations of the eastern Himalayas, including parts of Nepal, India, Bhutan, Myanmar and China. These forests have an outstanding richness of wildlife.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orange-bellied Himalayan squirrel</span> Species of rodent

The orange-bellied Himalayan squirrel is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is found in Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Bhutan.

The Kashmir flying squirrel is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is monotypic within the genus Eoglaucomys. It is found in Afghanistan, India and Pakistan. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests. It is threatened by habitat loss. The Afghan flying squirrel is usually considered a subspecies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern palm squirrel</span> Species of rodent

The northern palm squirrel, also called the five-striped palm squirrel, is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. Some authorities recognize two subspecies, F. p. pennantii and F. p. argentescens. It is a semi-arboreal species found in tropical and subtropical dry deciduous forests and many other rural and urban habitats. It is a common species with a wide range and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red and white giant flying squirrel</span> Species of rodent

The red and white giant flying squirrel is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is a very large, dark rufous-red, buff and white flying squirrel found in forests at altitudes of 800–3,500 m (2,600–11,500 ft) in mainland China and 1,200–3,750 m (3,940–12,300 ft) in Taiwan, although the population of the latter island is distinctive and likely better regarded as a separate species, the Taiwan giant flying squirrel. Additionally, the red and white giant flying squirrel possibly ranges into northeastern South Asia and far northern Mainland Southeast Asia. This squirrel has a wide range and is relatively common, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature lists it as being of "least concern".

<i>Petaurista</i> Genus of rodents

Petaurista is a genus of rodent in the family Sciuridae. They are large to very large flying squirrels found in forests and other wooded habitats in southern and eastern Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spotted giant flying squirrel</span> Species of rodent

The spotted giant flying squirrel, also known as the lesser giant flying squirrel, is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is found in hill and mountain forests at altitudes of 200–4,000 m (660–13,120 ft) in Southeast Asia north to central China and the east Himalayan region, although the northern populations sometimes are regarded as separate species as the grey-headed giant flying squirrel, Chindwin giant flying squirrel and P. marica. Two of these, as well as a few other populations, lack the white spots on the upperparts for which it is named. Although a large flying squirrel, it is a relatively small giant flying squirrel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bhutan giant flying squirrel</span> Species of rodent

The Bhutan giant flying squirrel, also known as the Gray's giant flying squirrel or noble giant flying squirrel, is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. This species lives in Himalayan forests and it is one of the largest flying squirrels. Like other flying squirrels, it is mainly nocturnal and able to glide long distances between trees by spreading out its patagium, skin between its limbs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian giant flying squirrel</span> Species of rodent

The Indian giant flying squirrel, also called the large brown flying squirrel or the common giant flying squirrel, is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. It is capable of gliding flight using a skin membrane, the patagium, stretched between front and hind legs. It is found in mainland Southeast and South Asia, and southern and central China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black giant squirrel</span> Species of rodent

The Malayan or black giant squirrel is a large tree squirrel native to the Indomalayan zootope. It is found in tropical forests from northern Bangladesh, northeastern India, Odisha, India, eastern Nepal and Bhutan, to Myanmar and southern China, south through mainland Southeast Asia, as well as several Indonesian islands and provinces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern Himalayan subalpine conifer forests</span>

The Eastern Himalayan subalpine conifer forests is a temperate coniferous forests ecoregion which is found in the middle and upper elevations of the eastern Middle Himalayas, in western Nepal, Bhutan, northern Indian states including Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim and adjacent Myanmar and China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Japanese dwarf flying squirrel</span> Species of rodent

The Japanese dwarf flying squirrel is one of two species of Old World flying squirrels in the genus Pteromys. During the day this squirrel hides in a hole, usually in a coniferous tree, emerging at night to feed.

The Mechuka giant flying squirrel is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae. First described in 2007 from East Himalayan forests at altitudes of 1,500–2,500 m (4,900–8,200 ft) in the region of Mechuka of north-central Arunachal Pradesh in India, its taxonomic status and position is not fully resolved. it was originally described as P. nigra but has been replaced by mechukaensis because it was a primary homonym of P. nigra Wang 1981.

References

  1. 1 2 Pethers, H. (11 July 2011). "Behind the scenes: the Hodgson project". Natural History Museum, London. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Molur, S. (2016). "Petaurista magnificus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T16721A22271868. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T16721A22271868.en . Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Jackson, S.M. (2012). Gliding Mammals of the World. CSIRO Publishing. pp. 112–135. ISBN   9780643092600.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Thorington, R.W. Jr.; J.L. Koprowski; M.A. Steele; J.F. Whatton (2012). Squirrels of the World. Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 115. ISBN   978-1-4214-0469-1.
  5. 1 2 Krishna, M.C.; A. Kumar; O.P. Tripathi; J.L. Koprowski (2016). "Diversity, Distribution and Status of Gliding Squirrels in Protected and Non-protected Areas of the Eastern Himalayas in India". Hystrix: The Italian Journal of Mammalogy. 27 (2): 1–9. doi:10.4404/hystrix-27.2-11688.
  6. 1 2 Sharma, G.; M. Kamalakannan; K. Venkataraman (2015). "A Checklist of Mammals of India with their distribution and conservation status". Zool. Surv. India, Kolkata.
  7. ↑ Aziz, A. (2011). "Notes on the status of mammalian fauna of the Lawachara National Park, Bangladesh". Ecoprint. 18: 45–53. doi: 10.3126/eco.v18i0.9398 .
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Ghose, R.K.; S.S. Saha (1981). "Taxonomic review of Hodgson's giant flying squirrel, Petaurista magnificus (Hodgson) (Sciuridae: Rodentia), with description of a new subspecies from Darjeeling District, West Bengal, India". The Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society. 78 (1): 93–102.
  9. ↑ Sclater, W.L. (1981). Catalogue of mammalia: Preserved in the Indian Museum Calcutta. Vol. II. Cosmo Publication.
  10. ↑ Choudhury, A.U. (2013). The mammals of North East India. Gibbon Books & The Rhino Foundation with support from COA, Taiwan, Guwahati. ISBN   978-93-80652-02-3.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Jackson, S.M.; R.W. Thorington Jr. (2012). "Gliding Mammals – Taxonomy of Living and Extinct Species". Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology. 638 (638): 1–117. doi:10.5479/si.00810282.638.1.
  12. ↑ Francis, C.M. (2008). A Guide to the Mammals of Southeast Asia. Princeton University Press. ISBN   978-0-691-13551-9.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Koli, V.K. (2016). "Biology and Conservation Status of Flying Squirrels (Pteromyini, Sciuridae, Rodentia) in India: An Update and Review". Proc Zool Soc. 69 (1): 9–21. doi:10.1007/s12595-015-0141-z. S2CID   255613233.
  14. 1 2 3 4 Koirala, S.; H.B. Katuwal; B. Achami; K.B. Shah (2016). "Parasites of Hodgson's Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista magnificus)". Int. J. Adv. Res. Biol. Sci. 3 (7): 8–13.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Smith, A.T.; Xie, Y., eds. (2008). A Guide to the Mammals of China. Princeton University Press. pp. 178–179. ISBN   978-0-691-09984-2.
  16. 1 2 Thapa, S.; H.B. Katuwal; S. Koirala; B.V. Dahal; B. Devkota; R. Rana; H. Dhakal; R. Karki; H. Basnet (2016). Sciuridae (Order: Rodentia) in Nepal. Small Mammals Conservation and Research Foundation, Kathmandu, Nepal. pp. 24–26.
  17. 1 2 3 4 Datta, R.; R. Nandini (2015). "Sciurids". In A.J.T. Johnsingh; N. Manjrekar (eds.). Mammals of South Asia. Vol. 2. Universities Press, India. p. 536. ISBN   9788173715891.
  18. ↑ Srinivasulu, C.; S. Chakraborty; M.S. Pradhan (2003). "Checklist of Sciurids (Mammalia: Rodentia: Sciuridae) of South Asia". Zoos' Print Journal. 19 (2): 1351–1360. doi:10.11609/JoTT.ZPJ.19.2.1351-60 (inactive 2024-04-26).{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of April 2024 (link)
  19. 1 2 Menon, V. (2014). Indian Mammals. Hachette Book Publishing. ISBN   978-93-5009-760-1.
  20. ↑ Thorington, R.W. Jr; Hoffman, R.S. (2005). "Species Petaurista magnificus". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 754–818. ISBN   978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC   62265494.
  21. ↑ Saha, S.S. (1977). "A new subspecies of the flying squirrel, Petaurista nobilis (Gray), from Bhutan". Proc. Zool. Soc., Calcutta. 28 (1): 27–29.
  22. ↑ Shrestha, T.K. (1997). Mammals of Nepal: With Reference to Those of India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Pakistan. R.K. Printers, Teku, Kathmandu. pp. 83–84. ISBN   978-0952439066.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.