Prosciurillus leucomus

Musser, Guy G., Durden, Lance A., Holden, Mary Ellen & Light, Jessica E., 2010, Systematic Review of Endemic Sulawesi Squirrels (Rodentia, Sciuridae), with Descriptions of New Species of Associated Sucking Lice (Insecta, Anoplura), and Phylogenetic and Zoogeographic Assessments of Sciurid Lice, Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 2010 (339), pp. 1-260 : 1-260

publication ID

https://doi.org/ 10.1206/695.1

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03DE87F1-FFD8-6133-FF01-FB2A2C77FDC5

treatment provided by

Felipe

scientific name

Prosciurillus leucomus
status

 

The Prosciurillus leucomus View in CoL Group

The first-named member of this assemblage, P. leucomus , was described by Müller and Schlegel in 1844. From then until now, 11 scientific names have been attached to the group, most of them described as species of Sciurus (table 11; also see Roux, 1910: 520). By 1940, Ellerman (1940: 375), in his compendium on the families and genera of living rodents, had transferred the taxa from Sciurus to Callosciurus and recognized a ‘‘ leucomus Group’’ containing nine species. During the years to follow, the taxa associated with the leucomus cluster were shifted from Callosciurus to Prosciurillus ( Moore, 1959; Corbet and Hill, 1992; Hoffmann et al., 1993; Thorington and Hoffmann, 2005) and the number of species recognized in primary checklists of mammals dropped to four ( Laurie and Hill, 1954: 93), then two ( Corbet and Hill, 1992: 304; Hoffmann et al., 1993: 436), and eventually was elevated to three ( Nowak, 1999: 1270; Thorington and Hoffmann, 2005: 785). We recognize five species (table 11).

Our hypotheses of species-boundaries are based on results from our qualitative study of variation in coat-color patterns and quantitative analyses of morphometric variation in cranial and dental traits, bolstered by insights from geographic and altitudinal distributions determined from collection localities of voucher specimens. Different chromatic patterns and pelage traits (variation in coloration of upperparts and underparts, presence or absence of ear tufts and when present their coloration and degree of expression, and presence or absence of nape patches and middorsal stripes) and geographic distributions of the various chromatic combinations provide the primary diagnosis for each species (summarized in table 12). Morphometric distinctions parallel the chromatic contrasts but are less conspicuous compared with the striking variation in color patterns and appreciated only with measurements from large samples. All the species are similar in body size and cranial and dental dimensions (tables 15–17). They are intermediate in physical size (130–210 g) between the larger-bodied Indomalayan tree squirrels Callosciurus prevostii (250–500 g) and Sundasciurus hippurus (260–365 g) and the smaller-bodied tree squirrels Callosciurus adamsi (115–154 g) and Sundasciurus lowii (60–120 g), and more similar to the common Callosciurus notatus (150–315 g) and C. nigrovittatus (147–257 g); see Medway (1969) and Payne et al. (1985). Among the Sulawesi endemics, Prosciurillus leucomus and its four allies are each physically much smaller than Rubrisciurus rubriventer but larger than each member of the Prosciurillus murinus group (table 3).

Definitions for three of the five species are enhanced by their sucking lice parasites. Each of the three species of squirrels that are defined by color pattern of fur, morphometric traits, and explicit geographic boundaries support a unique species of Hoplopleura (see accounts of the sucking lice). Unfortunately, we did not recover lice were from pelts of the other two species ( P. rosenbergii and P. weberi ).

GAZETTEER AND SPECIMENS EXAMINED: Collection localities for the 177 examples of P. leucomus , the 107 specimens of P. alstoni , the eight specimens of P. weberi , the 78 specimens of P. topapuensis , the 39 examples of P. rosenbergii , and the single subfossil of Prosciurillus sp. studied are listed below. The number preceding each locality in the gazetteers for P. leucomus , P. alstoni , P. weberi , P. topapuensis , and P. sp. keys to a symbol on the map in figure 11. The distribution of P. rosenbergii on islands forming Kepulauan Sangir is featured on the map in figure 28.

Prosciurillus leucomus

1. Likupang, 01 ° 419N, 125 ° 039E, coastal plain near sea level: USNM 216786–92; SNSD B3431; ZMB 92614.

2. Teteamoet (several miles southeast of Likupang; see Raven’s brief description of the place in Miller, 1917: 29), 01 ° 409N, 125 ° 059E (estimated from Raven’s map), on coastal plain near sea level: USNM 216769–216785 .

3. Pulau Lembeh, 01 ° 269N, 125 ° 139E (elevation of collection site is not recorded but highest point of the island is 447 m): Meyer (1896: 25) reported two specimens from this island. One (SNSD B3081) resides in the collection at Dresden, the other was sold (C. Stefen, in litt., 2008).

4. Manado (also spelled ‘‘Menado’’), 01 ° 309N, 124 ° 509E, coastal plain near sea level: ANSP 14156; MZB 6235–37; RMNH 13343 (paralectotype of Sciurus leucomus ; specimen ‘‘ a ’’ in Jentink’s catalog, 1888: 24), specimens ‘‘ c ’’ and ‘‘ q ’’ in Jentink’s (1888: 24–25) catalog, RMNH 24434, and an uncataloged specimen; ZMA 19.867 –19.871; ZMB 4119.

5. Lotta, 01 ° 259N, 124 ° 499E, coastal plain near sea level: ZMB 92616. Meyer (1896: 25) reported a specimen from Lotta.

6. Ajermadidi (also spelled Airmadidi), 01 ° 269N, 124 ° 589E, 200–300 m (estimated from Sheet NA 51-12): USNM 217823.

7. Rurukan, 01 ° 219N, 124 ° 529E, 900 m: AMNH 196569, 196563–68, 196570–73; ANSP14157; BMNH 1899.12.9.80, 1899.12.9.81, 1899.12.9.82; FMNH 8329; ZMB 13829/ 13929, 84939, 84940.

7. Tonsealama (also known as ‘‘Tonsea’’), 01 ° 199N, 124 ° 559E, 600–700 m (estimated from Sheet NA 51-12): BMNH 1940.670, 1940.671 (‘‘Tonsea’’); MZB 6229–33.

8. Kema, 01 ° 229N, 125 ° 039E, coastal plain near sea level: RMNH 13344 (lectotype of Sciurus leucomus ; specimen ‘‘b’’ in Jentink’s catalog, 1888: 24).

9. Tondano, 01 ° 199N, 124 ° 549E, 600–700 m (estimated from Sheet NA 51-12): MZB 6234.

10. Gunung Masarang, 01 ° 199N, 124 ° 519E, 3500 ft (1067 m): ANSP 14154, 14155; BMNH 1897.1.2.15, 1897.1.2.16; SNSD B3430.

11. Tomohon, 01 ° 199N, 124 ° 499E, 700–800 m (estimated from Sheet NA 51-12): BMNH 1899.10.1.5; NMB 4246/1105, 9544/1197.

12. Temboan (on Kuala Kalait, ‘‘is a new clearing of eight houses and lies from Mt. Sapoetan south, 55 ° west and about six miles from Loboe,’’ wrote Raven in his field journal, 1916: 3 (in mammal division library at USNM), 01 ° 039N, 124 ° 339E (estimated from Raven’s map), 500 m (estimated from Sheet NA 51-12): USNM 217822, 217825, 217826.

13. Amurang, 01 ° 119N, 124 ° 359E, on coastal plain near sea level: MZB 1500, 1501; SNSD B261, B622.

14. Tulabolo (‘‘Toelabello’’ in Jentink’s [1888: 25] catalog), 00 ° 319N, 123 ° 169E, 760 ft (230 m; see Fooden [1969: 137] for details): RMNH: specimens ‘‘ i ’’ and ‘‘ j ’’ in Jentink’s (1888: 25) catalog (paralectotypes of Sciurus leucomus occidentalis ).

15. Gorontalo, 00 ° 319N, 123 ° 039E, coastal plain near sea level: SNSD B168 (holotype of Sciurus leucomus occidentalis ). ‘‘Panybie’’: RMNH: specimen ‘‘ l ’’ in Jentink’s (1888: 25) catalog. ‘‘ Modélido ’’: RMNH: specimen ‘‘ m ’’ in Jentink’s (1888: 25) catalog. (Specimens ‘‘ l ’’ and ‘‘ m ’’ are paralectotypes of Sciurus leucomus occidentalis .) The last two localities are near Gorontalo (see Meyer, 1896: 26) but we don’t know exactly where.

16. Limboto (also spelled Limbotto), northwest shore of Danau Limboto, 00 ° 379N/122 ° 579E, 0–100 m (estimated from Sheet NA51-14): RMNH: specimen ‘‘ p ’’ in Jentink’s (1888: 25) catalog (paralectotype of Sciurus leucomus occidentalis ).

17. Bumbulan, 00 ° 299N, 122 ° 049E, coastal plain near sea level: AMNH 152916–20, 152922– 31, 152933–37; MZB 6239–42, 6246–48.

18. Paguat (also spelled Pagowat), 00 ° 269N, 121 ° 549E, coastal plain near sea level: RMNH specimen ‘‘ k ’’ in Jentink’s (1888: 25) catalog (paralectotype of Sciurus leucomus and Sciurus leucomus occidentalis ).

19. Sungai Paleleh (‘‘I went inland about four or five miles over the mountains and made camp at the edge of the Paleleh River, which is a small brook … with steep mountains or hills on all sides’’ [Raven, in Miller, 1915: 23]), 00 ° 599N, 121 ° 499E (estimated from Raven’s map), 700 m (estimated from Sheet NA 51-14): USNM 200270–73.

20. Matinan (‘‘Matinang’’ is an older spelling), 01 ° 059N, 121 ° 429E (for village near coast;

TABLE 12

Some Characteristics Distinguishing Members of the Prosciurillus leucomus Group Listed are pelage traits, extremes (mm) in ranges of selected external and cranial measurements, and weight (g) summarized from tables 14–16; ranges of collection elevations and general geographic distributions are included.

specimens came from south of village at 600 m in foothills of Pegunungan Paleleh): AMNH 196547–49.

21. G unung Matinan (also spelled ‘‘Matinang’’), part of the broader Pegunungan Paleleh in the northwestern part of the northern peninsula, 1000 m: NMB 1198 (skin)/9543 (skull), paralectotype of Sciurus leucomus occidentalis .

22. Gunung Ile-Ile, 00 ° 589N, 121 ° 489E (one of the high places in the more expansive Pegunungan Peleleh traversing the northwestern part of the northern peninsula): AMNH 196559– 62 (500 m), 196550–58 (1700 m).

23. Tolitoli, 01 ° 039N, 120 ° 499E (estimated from Raven’s map), on coastal plain near sea level: USNM 200274.

24. Labuan Sore (spelled ‘‘ Laboea Sore’ ’ on specimen labels and ‘‘ Laboean Sore’ ’ on Raven’s map), on east coast just north of Marantate , about midway between Towera and Toboli, 00 ° 379S, 120 ° 039E (estimated from Raven’s map; see Bynum et al., 1997, who discussed this collection locality), 200 m (estimated from Sheet SA 51–1): USNM 218074–77 .

25. Bumbarujaba (spelled ‘‘Bumbaroedjaba’’ on specimen labels), on highway crossing the peninsula between Tawaeli and Toboli, 00 ° 439S, 120 ° 049E (estimated from Raven’s map), 915 m (according to Riley, 1924: 2): USNM 218708, 218709.

Specimens from the northern peninsula we studied but did not map are listed here. RMNH specimens ‘‘ d–h,’’ ‘‘ n,’’ and ‘‘ o ’’ (‘‘Célèbes’’) are entered in Jentink’s (1888: 24–25) catalog. (Jentink’s skin ‘‘ d ’’ was collected by S.C.J.W. van Musschenbroek, who was ‘‘resident’’ [5 district officer] in Manado during 1875–76; see Van Steenis-Kruseman [1950: 378]. This animal therefore must be from NE Celebes. Other material that was collected by van musschenbroek includes the rats Maxomys musschenbroekii and M. hellwaldii , and the civet Macrogalidia musschenbroekii , all obtained near Manado. C. Smeenk, personal commun., 2010.) Six further paralectotypes of Sciurus leucomus are in RMNH: 39392 and 39393 (skeletons ‘‘ a ’’ and ‘‘ b ’’ in Jentink’s [1887: 191] osteological catalog), and RMNH 39395–98 (skulls ‘‘ c–f ’’ in Jentink’s [1887: 191] osteological catalog, all collected by E.A. Forsten in 1841 from ‘‘Célèbes’’ [5 NE Celebes]. Three uncataloged skins from ‘‘N. Celebes’’ and a skin from ‘‘Minahasa, Celebes’’ are also housed in RMNH. SNSD B2745 and ZMB 92379, 92380, and 92615 are from ‘‘Main, Minahasa.’’ ‘‘Minahasa, N. Celebes’’ is the only locality designation for NMB 9546/1104 and SNSD B2745. Seven specimens at BMNH (1849.3.2.7, 1886.6.26.1, 1943.239– 1943.243) are from ‘‘ Celebes.’’

Prosciurillus alstoni

1. Malakosa, Kuala Navusu, 00 ° 589S, 120 ° 279E (estimated from Sheet SA 51-1): 100 ft (30 m), AMNH 226076–81; 125 ft (38 m), AMNH 226082; 130 ft (40 m), AMNH 226083–85; 150 ft (46 m), AMNH 226086; 175 ft (53 m), AMNH 226087; 400 ft (122 m), AMNH 226088–96; 450 ft (137 m), AMNH 226097–99; 500 ft (152 m), AMNH 226100; 750 ft (229 m), AMNH 226101.

2. Tolai, Sungai Tolewonu, 01 ° 049S, 120 ° 279E (estimated from Sheet SA 50-8): 400 ft (122 m), AMNH 226510–12; 500 ft (152 m), AMNH 226513, 226514; 540 ft (165 m), AMNH 226515; 650 ft (198 m), AMNH 226516, 226517; 800 ft (244 m), AMNH 226518; 950 ft (290 m), AMNH 226519; 1000 ft (305 m), AMNH 226520, 226521; 1050 ft (320 m), AMNH 226522; 1100 ft (335 m), AMNH 226523, 226525; 1200 ft (366 m), AMNH 226524.

3. Pinedapa, 01 ° 259S, 120 ° 359E (estimated from Raven’s map), 100 ft (31 m): USNM 219511– 21, 219523–40.

4. Mapane, 01 ° 269S, 120 ° 409E, near sea level: SNSD B3826 (lectotype of Sciurus sarasinorum ).

5. Tonkean, near Sinorang, 01 ° 249S, 122 ° 309E, 0– 100 m (see Fooden, 1969: 137: SNSD B3178 (lectotype of Sciurus tonkeanus ), B3179– B3186 (paralectotypes of tonkeanus ; see Feiler, 1999: 407).

6. Usu (‘‘Oesoe’’ on old maps; also spelled ‘‘Ussu’’), 02 ° 369S, 121 ° 069E, coastal plain at the northern end of Teluk Bone, 0–100 m: NMB 1199 (skin), 8080 (skull), paralectotype of Sciurus sarasinorum .

7. Wawo, on the plain between the coast and western foothills of Pegunungan Mekongga (also spelled ‘‘Mengkoka’’), 03 ° 419S, 121 ° 029E, 50 m: AMNH 101329–39, 101347.

8. Pegunungan Mekongga, Masembo, which is southeast of Wawo and the highest place in the southern portion of Pegunungan Mekongga (see maps and discussion in Heinrich [1932] and Stresemann [1940]) 03 ° 359S, 121 ° 159E (for the Pegunungan), 550 m: AMNH 101340–46.

9. Mowewe, 04 ° 109S, 121 ° 529E, approximately 500 m: NMB 1626 (skin), 4243 (skull), lectotype of Sciurus mowewensis . Sungai Ahua: NMB 1627 (skin), 4244 (skull), paralectotype of Sciurus mowewensis .

10. Lalolei (spelled ‘‘Lalolis’’ on specimen tags and some maps), 03 ° 579S, 122 ° 039E, 300 m: AMNH 101325–28.

11. Pulau Buton, off the coast of the southeast peninsula, topographic relief ranges from sea level to 1190 m: MZB 6250, 6251. We do not know where on the island these two squirrels were collected and simply placed a dot randomly within the island’s outline. Sody (1949: 107) examined the pair and noted that ‘‘These two animals have been a long time in the Museum [MZB], until lately stuffed, now made to study skins. On the glass of the case, in which they were exhibited, was an indication: ‘ Sciurus tonkeanus Meyer. Boeton, Mohari leg.’ I am not able to say much more.’’

12. Pulau Kabaena, off the coast of the southeast peninsula, topographic relief ranges from sea level to 1570 m: SMF 721 (holotype of Sciurus elbertae ), 4878 (both specimens, skulls only, were kindly examined for us by G. Storch). Schwarz (1911: 639) identified the type locality as ‘‘Eempuhu, East Kabaëna.’’ We could not find Eempuhu on any maps or in any gazetteers consulted and simply placed a dot on the eastern side of the island.

Prosciurillus weberi

1. Masamba, 02 ° 349S, 120 ° 199E, coastal plain, 0– 100 m: MZB 6252, 6253. 2. Palopo (‘‘near Palopo’’), 03 ° 019S, 120 ° 139E, 0–100 m: BMNH 94.7.4.6 (a skin only, which is one of the specimens upon which Jentink’s [1890] original description of Sciurus weberi is based, and is a paralectotype); MZB 6254, 6256; RMNH 13342 (lectotype of Sciurus weberi ); ZMA 11.327 and 11.328 (each is a paralectotype of Sciurus weberi ).

Prosciurillus topapuensis

1. Valley of Sungai Miu, Sungai Miu (right side), 01 ° 239S, 119 ° 589E (estimated from Sheet SA 50-8), 350 m: AMNH 224042.

2. Valley of Sungai Miu, Sungai Sadaunta (also spelled ‘‘Sidaonta’’ or Sidaunta’’; tributary on right side of Sungai Miu), 01 ° 239S, 119 ° 589E (estimated from Sheet SA 50-8), 675 m: AMNH 224041.

3. Sungai Sadaunta, 2500 ft (762 m): AMNH 224581; 2700 ft (824 m), AMNH 224582.

4. Sungai Sadaunta, 2850 ft (869 m): AMNH 224584, 224585.

5. Sungai Sadaunta: 2900 ft (884 m), AMNH 224599, 224611.

6. Sungai Sadaunta: 3000 ft (915 m), AMNH 224586–88; 3050 ft (930 m), AMNH 226835.

7. Valley of Danau Lindu, Tomado (a village on western shore of Danau Lindu), 01 ° 199S, 120 ° 039E (estimated from Sheet SA 5-8), 1000 m: AMNH 226932 (caught at 1140 m).

8. Gunung Kanino, 01 ° 179S, 120 ° 089E (estimated from Sheet SA 50-8), 4600 ft (1402 m): AMNH 225501, 225502; 4650 ft (1418 m), AMNH 225504.

9. Gunung Kanino, 4700 ft (1433 m): AMNH 225503.

10. Gunung Kanino, 4800 ft (1463 m): AMNH 223532–35; 4900 ft (1509 m), AMNH 225505.

11. Gunung Kanino, 5050 ft (1540 m): AMNH 225506, 225507.

12. Gunung Nokilalaki, 01 ° 139S, 120 ° 089E, 7520 ft (2293 m): AMNH 223531.

13. Gunung Lehio, 01 ° 339S, 119 ° 539E, at or above 6000 ft (1829 m): USNM 218714–18, 218720–23.

14. Rano Rano, 01 ° 309S, 120 ° 289E, 6000 ft (1829 m): USNM 219483, 219484, 219486, 219487, 219490–501, 219503.

15. Besoa, 01 ° 449S, 120 ° 139E (for ‘‘Besoa District,’’ HOUSND, 1944); see description in gazetteer for Rubrisciurus rubriventer collection localities: USNM 219485, 219488, 219489, 219502. Along the ‘‘Lindoe Trail’’: USNM 218719.

16. Gunung Topapu, approximately 02 ° S, 120 ° 159E (estimated from a copy of the map used by P. and F. Sarasin, the collectors of the specimen), 1550 m: NMB 1628 (skin), 4245 (skull).

17. Pegunungan Latimojong, 03 ° 309S, 121 ° 239E, 2200 m: AMNH 196534–44; 2800 m, AMNH 196545, 196546.

The following specimens were studied but the place where they were caught is not mapped.

Central Core, Tamalanti, 3300 ft (1006 m): BMNH 1940.691e, 1940.691f, 40.691g (holotype of Callosciurus leucomus hirsutus ), 1940.691h–1940.691j. Laurie and Hill (1954: 156) noted that Tamalanti is a ‘‘Plantation between Rantekaroa [02 ° 509S, 119 ° 509E] and Koelawi [01 ° 279S, 119 ° 599E],’’ which was also the only information Musser and Paula Jenkins found when they searched through fieldnotes and other documents at BMNH.

Prosciurillus sp.

1. Ulu Leang I (a cave about 40 km northeast of

Ujung Pandang in the Maros region; see map and description in Glover, 1976), 0–100 m:

AMNH 269955 (subfossil fragment of a right dentary; see table 33 and fig. 29).

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Mammalia

Order

Rodentia

Family

Sciuridae

Genus

Prosciurillus

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