Petaurista elegans (Temminck, 1836)

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 : 775

148.

Spotted Giant Flying Squirrel

Petaurista elegans

French: Pétauriste tacheté / German: Geflecktes Riesengleithdrnchen / Spanish: Ardilla voladora gigante moteada

Other common names: Lesser Giant Flying Squirrel

Taxonomy. Pteromys elegans Temminck, 1836 ,

“Java, Indonesia.”

According to Li Song and colleagues in

2013, cytochrome-b gene sequences suggest that subspecies marica is a distinct species and should be reclassified. Four subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

P.e.elegansTemminck,1836—JavaandKembangI.

P.e.banksiChasen,1933—NBorneoMts,alsoinBunguranandNNatunaIs(offWBorneo).

P.e.maricaThomas,1912—SChina(YunnanandGuangxi),N&EMyanmarandborderingareasofNEIndia,N,W&SThailand,Laos,Vietnam,andThai-MalayP.e.insula.

P.e. sumatrana Kloss, 1921 — Sumatra.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 296-376 mm, tail 340-405 mm; weight 0-84-16 kg. A relatively small species of Petaurista, the Spotted Giant Flying Squirrel is distinguished by presence of white dorsal spots against dark gray, yellowish gray, or brown-black dorsum. Toward rump, hair becomes more rufous. Tail is similar in color to dorsal pelage but not spotted. Patagium is reddish orange, and ventral pelage is orange to brown. Rump and base oftail are reddish brown. In subspecies banksi, top of head, neck, and back are glossy black, flecked with white. Tail is black and chestnut. Patagium is deep chestnut with tawny rufous below. Underparts are paler, an ocherous rufous. Edges offeet are black. There are dark rings around eyes, and there is a small black spot on chin. Subspecies marica has light upper parts with few white spots on back, orangebrown tail, and brown feet. Subspecies punctatus has dark upper parts, with many white spots, black tail, and black feet. Subspecies sumatrana is similar to punctatus, but it is flecked with far fewer white spots.

Habitat. Primary and partially cut temperate montane coniferous forests with understories of rhododendron (Rhododendron, Ericaceae) and tropical evergreen or dipterocarp forests. In the western part ofits distribution, the Spotted Giant Flying Squirrel is found at elevations of ¢.3000-4000 m. In Peninsular Malaysia,it often occurs at much lower elevations (¢.200-3000 m) in primary forests and those in which some timbering has occurred. It appears to be less common near human settlements. It is common and locally abundant and nests in hollows or on rocky ledges.

Food and Feeding. Diet of the Spotted Giant Flying Squirrel is thought to include seeds, fruit, and leaves.

Breeding. The Spotted Giant Flying Squirrel breeds prior to the rainy season, producing a single offspring per year.

Activity patterns. The Spotted Giant Flying Squirrel is nocturnal, only appearing after dusk, and arboreal. It nests in tree holes and on rock ledges.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Gliding dynamics of the Spotted Giant Flying Squirrel have been indirectly investigated. It appears to have one of the highest wing loadings among flying squirrels, which probably requires a faster glide to maintain glide ratio (horizontal distance/vertical height). It is quite vocal and can call up to 20 times with high-pitch expiratory monotones; less often,it emits muffled whirring sounds.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Spotted Giant Flying Squirrel is widespread and abundant in areas of appropriate habitat, with a stable population trend. It is nationally protected in Indonesia. In south-eastern Asia, it is threatened by industrial logging. Populations confined to small habitat fragments can potentially lead to decreased numbers and increased inbreeding and inbreeding depression.

Bibliography. Chowattukunnel & Esslinger (1979), Jackson (2012), Jackson & Thorington (2012), Kim Ke-Chung (1977), Koli (2016), Lee, Progulske & Lin Yaosung (1993), Lewis (1971), Li Song et al. (2013), Lin Yaosung et al. (1985), Muul & Liat (1971), Muul & Lim (1978), Muul et al. (1973), Oshida, Ikeda et al. (2001), Scheibe et al. (2007), Smith & Yan Xie (2008), Thorington & Darrow (2000), Thorington & Heaney (1981), Thorington et al. (2012), Walston, Duckworth & Molur (2008a), Yu Farong et al. (2006).

Figures

148. Spotted Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurisia elegans), 149. Yunnan Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista yunanensis), 150. Taiwan Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista lena), 151. Hainan Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista hainana), 152. Japanese Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista leucogenys), 153. Siberian Flying Squirrel (Pteromys volans), 154. Japanese Flying Squirrel (Pteromys momonga), 155. Woolly Flying Squirrel (Eupetaurus cinereus), 156. Black Flying Squirrel (Aeromys tephromelas), 157. Thomas's Flying Squirrel (Aeromys thomasi), 158. Smoky Flying Squirrel (Pteromyscus pulverulentus), 159. Hairy-footed Flying Squirrel (Belomys pearsonii), 160. Northern Chinese Flying Squirrel (Aeretes melanoplerus), 161. Complex-toothed Flying Squirrel (Trogopterus xanthipes), 162. Long-clawed Ground Squirrel (Spermophilopsis leptodactyla), 163. Barbary Ground Squirrel (Atlantoxerus getulus), 164. Striped Ground Squirrel (Euxerus erythropus), 165. Unstriped Ground Squirrel (Xerus rutilus), 166. Damara Ground Squirrel (Geosciurus princeps), 167. South African Ground Squirrel (Geosciurus inauris), 168. Pere David’s Rock Squirrel (Sciurotamias davidianus), 169. Forrest's Rock Squirrel (Sciurotamias forresti), 170. Siberian Chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus), 171. Least Chipmunk (Tamias minimus), 172. Yellow-pine Chipmunk (Tamas amoenus), 173. Townsend’s Chipmunk (Tamias townsendii), 174. Red-tailed Chipmunk (Tamias ruficaudus), 175. Shadow Chipmunk (Tamias senex), 176. Uinta Chipmunk (Tamias umbrinus)