Prosciurillus topapuensis (Roux, 1910)

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 : 718-719

20.

Mount Topapu Squirrel

Prosciurillus topapuensis

French: Ecureuil du Topapu / German: Topapu-Zwerghdrnchen / Spanish: Ardilla de Topapu

Taxonomy. Sciurus topapuensis Roux, 1910 ,

“Topapugebirge 1550 M. Central-Celebes.”

Restricted by G. G. Musser and colleagues in 2010 to Gunung Topapu.

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. C Sulawesi, highlands from Lake Lindu to Latimojong Mts.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 155-190 mm, tail 120-165 mm; weight 150-210 g. Dorsum of the Mount Topapu Squirrel is dark brown, flecked with black and orange, but grades to paler brown spotted with black and pale buff on sides of body, head, and limbs. Dorsal surface of feet, both hind and front, is the same asthe dorsum, but sometimes slightly paler or darker. A buffy ring encircles each eye, and ears have black tufts. Venter is dark gray, with silver highlights or washed with ocherous or pale buffy color. Tail has black and buffy rings, with a black terminal tuft. Overall coloration is similar to that of Alston’s Squirrel (P. alstoni), but it can be distinguished due to venter coloration.

Habitat. Tropical lowland evergreen rain forest to upper montane forest at elevations of ¢.350-2800 m.

Food and Feeding. Diet of the Mount Topapu Squirrel is composed of soft fruits, including figs, seeds, and arboreal insects, including caterpillars, beetles, and cockroaches.

Breeding. Female Mount Topapu Squirrels have one post-axillary and two inguinal pairs of teats.

Activity patterns. The Mount Topapu Squirrel mostly uses upper canopy of forest, but descends to forest floor when necessary, such as when crossing areas of broken canopy. It 1s aggressive, unwary, and very vocal. It vocalizes in response to birds, diurnal avian predators, approaching rain, and noises such as falling trees or human voices. Its vocalizations are similar to those of Alston’s Squirrel.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Mount Topapu Squirrel is known to be sympatric with the Celebes Dwarf Squirrel (P. murinus), the Sulawesi Giant Squirrel (Rubrisciurus rubriventer), the Lowland Long-nosed Squirrel (Hyosciurus ileile), and the Montane Long-nosed Squirrel (H. heinrichi).

Status and Conservation. The Mount Topapu Squirrel has not yet been assessed as a distinct species on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Musser et al. (2010), Thorington et al. (2012).

Figures

1. Neotropical Pygmy Squirrel (Sciurillus pusillus), 2. Black Giant Squirrel (Ratufa bicolor), 3. Indian Giant Squirrel (Ratufa indica), 4. Sri Lankan Giant Squirrel (Ratufa macroura), 5. Pale Giant Squirrel (Ratufa affinis), 6. Northern Palm Squirrel (Funambulus pennant), 7. Indian Palm Squirrel (Funambulus palmarum), 8. Jungle Palm Squirrel (Funambulus trisiriatus), 9. Dusky Palm Squirrel (Funambulus sublineatus), 10. Layard’s Palm Squirrel (Funambulus layardi), 11. Philippine Pygmy Squirrel (Exilisciurus concinnus), 12. Least Pygmy Squirrel (Exilisciurus exilis), 13. Tufted Pygmy Squirrel (Exilisciurus whiteheadi), 14. Lowland Long-nosed Squirrel (Hyosciurus ileile), 15. Montane Long-nosed Squirrel (Hyosciurus heinrich), 16. Sulawesi Giant Squirrel (Rubrisciurus rubriventer), 17. Sanghir Squirrel (Prosciurillus rosenbergii), 18. Celebes Dwarf Squirrel (Prosciurillus murinus), 19. Whitsh Dwart Squirrel (Prosciurillus leucomus), 20. Mount Topapu Squirrel (Prosciurillus topapuensis), 21. Alston’s Squirrel (Prosciurillus alstoni), 22. Weber’s Dwarf Squirrel (Prosciurillus weberi), 23. Secretive Dwarf Squirrel (Prosciurillus abstrusus)