Petinomys mindanensis (Rabor, 1939)

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 : 762

118.

Mindanao Flying Squirrel

Petinomys mindanensis

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

Taxonomy. Sciuropterus mindanensis Rabor, 1939 ,

“Badiangon, Gingoog, Oriental Mis-

amis Province, northern coast of Mindanao, Philippines.”

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. S Philippines, in Dinagat, Siargao, and Mindanao Is, on Mindanao it has been reported from Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Cotabato, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental and the E border of Sarangani, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Sur, and Zamboanga del Norte provinces.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 320-370 mm, tail 340-460 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. Body and tail lengths of the Mindanao Flying Squirrel are greater than those of all other congeners, with the possible exception of the Travancore Flying Squirrel (P. fuscocapillus). Compared with the Basilan Flying Squirrel (P. crinatus), also found in the Philippines, the Mindanao Flying Squirrel has more rounded rather than flattened tail. During World War II, the holotype was destroyed. Upper parts are grizzled chestnut brown, with hairs along middle of back tipped in black. Ears are small and naked on top, but there are three long tufts of hair projecting from below and from either side of ears. Throat is buff, and cheeks are buff-brown.

Habitat. Wet tropical and subtropical primary forests at elevations of 500-1600 m but most common at mid-elevations.

Food and Feeding. There is no information available for this species.

Breeding. There is no information available for this species.

Activity patterns. There is no specific information available for this species, but the Mindanao Flying Squirrel is nocturnal and arboreal.

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

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Current population trend of the Mindanao Flying Squirrel is unknown. Additional information on ecology and distribution is needed before conservations threats can be assessed.

Bibliography. Chiozza (2008a), Hayssen (2008a), Heaney & Rabor (1982), Heaney et al. (1998), Jackson (2012), Jackson & Thorington (2012), Musser & Heaney (1992), Thorington et al. (2012).

Figures

110. Kashmir Flying Squirrel (Eoglaucomys fimbriatus), 111. Northern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus), 112. Southern Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans), 113. Javanese Flying Squirrel (lomys horsfieldu), 114. Mentawai Flying Squirrel (lomys sipora), 115. Temminck’s Flying Squirrel (Petinomys setosus), 116. Travancore Flying Squirrel (Petinomys fuscocapillus), 117. Basilan Flying Squirrel (Petinomys crinitus), 118. Mindanao Flying Squirrel (Petinomys mindanensis), 119. Whiskered Flying Squirrel (Petinomys genibarbis), 120. Vordermann’s Flying Squirrel (Petinomys vordermanni), 121. Hagen’s Flying Squirrel (Petinomys hageni), 122. Siberut Flying Squirrel (Petinomys lugens), 123. Particolored Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes alboniger), 124. Indochinese Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes phayrei), 125. Red-cheeked Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes spadiceus), 126. Palawan Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes nigripes), 127. Jentink’s Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes platyurus), 128. Sumatran Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes winston), 129. Sipora Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes sipora), 130. Gray-cheeked Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes sagitta), 131. Bartels’s Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes bartelsi), 132. Selangor Pygmy Flying Squirrel (Petawurillus kinlochii), 133. Hose’s Pygmy Flying Squirrel (Petaurillus hosei), 134. Lesser Pygmy Flying Squirrel (Petaurillus emiliae)

Distribution. S Philippines, in Dinagat, Siargao, and Mindanao Is, on Mindanao it has been reported from Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Cotabato, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental and the E border of Sarangani, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Sur, and Zamboanga del Norte provinces.