Paraxerus lucifer (Thomas, 1897)

Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Sciuridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 648-837 : 837

291.

Black-and-red Bush Squirrel

Paraxerus lucifer

French: Ecureuil rouge et noir / German: Schwarzrotes Buschhornchen / Spanish: Ardilla de matorral negra y roja

Taxonomy. Xerus lucifer Thomas, 1897 ,

“Misuku Mts, Kombe Forest, Malawi.”

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. SW Tanzania and N Malawi. It may occur in NE Zambia.

Descriptive notes. Head-body mean 228.7 mm (males) and 230-8 mm (females), tail mean 198 mm (males) and 197-2 mm (females); weight c.680-685 g. Dorsal pelage of the Black-and-red Bush Squirrel is bright rufous or russet; some individuals have prominent reddish black patch in center of back. Fur is long and dense. Flanks, sides, forelimbs, hindlimbs, feet, crown of head, cheeks, and chin are also bright rufous. Tail is rufous,grizzled with black. Underparts, including throat and chest, are light gray.

Habitat. Montane tropical moist forests above elevations of 2000 m.

Food and Feeding. The omnivorous Black-and-red Bush Squirrel forages on the ground and eats fruits, nuts, vegetable matter, termites, and ants.

Breeding. Females appearto reproduce seasonally and become pregnant again shortly after parturition. One female caught in September was pregnant and lactating, while eight females examined in March-April were not reproductively active, suggesting that reproductive period may occur during spring and summer.

Activity patterns. The Black-and-red Bush Squirrel is diurnal and arboreal. Individuals vocalize frequently and loudly.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no information available for this species.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List. Little is known about distribution, ecological requirements, and population size of the Blackand-red Bush Squirrel. Habitat loss in its restricted distribution might be a major threat.

Bibliography. Ansell (1978), Ansell & Ansell (1973), Ansell & Dowsett (1988), Kingdon (1974, 1997), Thorington et al. (2012).

Figures

277. Ribboned Rope Squirrel (Funisciurus lemniscatus), 278. Congo Rope Squirrel (Funisciurus congicus), 279. Carruther’s Mountain Squirrel (Funisciurus carruthersi), 280. Du Chaillu’s Rope Squirrel (Funisciurus duchaillui), 281. Lunda Rope Squirrel (Funisciurus bayonii), 282. Green Bush Squirrel (Paraxerus poensis), 283. Cooper's Mountain Squirrel (Paraxerus cooperi), 284. Boehm' ’ s Bush Squirrel (Paraxerus boehmi), 285. Alexander’s Bush Squirrel (Paraxerus alexandri), 286. Ochre Bush Squirrel (Paraxerus ochraceus), 287. Red Bush Squirrel (Paraxerus palliatus), 288. Striped Bush Squirrel (Paraxerus flavouvittis), 289. Swynnerton’s Bush Squirrel (Paraxerus vexillarius), 290. Smith’s Bush Squirrel (Paraxerus cepapi), 291. Black-and-red Bush Squirrel (Paraxerus lucifer), 292. Vincent's Bush Squirrel (Paraxerus vincent)

Distribution. SW Tanzania and N Malawi. It may occur in NE Zambia.