<Unknown Taxon>

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 : 763

120.

Vordermann’s Flying Squirrel

Petinomys vordermanni

French: Polatouche de Vordermann / German: Vordermann-Gleithornchen / Spanish: Ardilla voladora de Vordermann

Taxonomy. Sciuropterus vordermanni

Jentink, 1890, “Belitung I, Indonesia.”

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. S Myanmar, Thai-Malay Peninsula, Borneo, and Belitung I (off NE Sumatra).

Descriptive notes. Head-body 92-120 mm, tail 89-120 mm; weight 22-52 g. Vordermann’s Flying Squirrel is one of the smallest flying squirrels. It has anterior-positioned eyes for binocular vision, elongated coronoid process, and highly developed condylar process. Dorsal fur is black, with rusty tips, and underparts are rusty white. Patagium has buff margin. Each eye has a black ring; whiskers occur at bases of each ear; and cheeks are orangey. One specimen from Trengganu (Peninsular Malaysia) had white spots on its back.

Habitat. [Lowland rainforest, orchards and rubber plantations, forests bordering swamps, and primary forests after selective logging.

Food and Feeding. Vordermann’s Flying Squirrel eats fruit and seeds.

Breeding. Vordermann’s Flying Squirrel has 1-3 young/litter.

Activity patterns. Vordermann’s Flying Squirrels are nocturnal and arboreal, restricting all activities to canopies or subcanopies.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Vordermann’s Flying Squirrel reportedly lives in nest holes 0-3-6 m above the ground.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List. Vordermann’s Flying Squirrel is threatened by habitat loss due to logging and agriculture. Its current population trend is decreasing. It occurs in many protected areas. More surveys and basic research on its distribution, population status, and natural history are needed to better understand threats and useful conservation action.

Bibliography. Deveaux et al. (1988), Francis & Gumal (2008d), Harris (1944), Hautier et al. (2009), Jackson (2012), Jackson & Thorington (2012), Meijaard (2004), Muul & Liat (1971), Muul & Thonglongya (1971), Nakagawa et al. (2007), Phillipps & Phillipps (2016), Thorington, Koprowski et al. (2012), Thorington, Pitassy & Jansa (2002).