Petaurista siangensis, Choudhury, 2013

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 : 772

145.

Mebo Giant Flying Squirrel

Petaurista siangensis

French: Pétauriste du Siang / German: Siang-Riesengleithérnchen / Spanish: Ardilla voladora gigante de Mebo

Taxonomy. Petaurista siangensis Choudhury, 2013 ,

“Mebo, near Milang Village, Upper Siang District, Arunachal Pradesh, India.”

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Assumed to be between the Siang and Dibang rivers in Arunachal Pradesh, NE India.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 575 mm, tail 560 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. Data are from the type specimen. The Mebo Giant Flying Squirrel is dark rufous brown on dorsum. Underparts are rufous buff, with some grizzled hairs on lower areas near base of tail. Upper surfaces of patagium are lighter brown and less rufous, and under surface is light rufous buff. Head and sides of neck are rich orange to rich rufous brown. There are white tufts with black tips below ears. Basal one-half of non-distichous tail is rufous brown and fades to dark blackish brown on posterior one-half. Feet are black.

Habitat. Middle elevation broadleaf subtropical and temperate forest.

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 Mebo Giant Flying Squirrel is nocturnal and arboreal.

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

Status and Conservation. Not yet assessed on The [UCN Red List. No information is available on population trends of or threats to the Mebo Giant Flying Squirrel. More surveys and basic research on its distribution, population status, and natural history are needed to better understand threats and useful conservation action.

Bibliography. Choudhury (2013b).

Figures

135. Namdapha Flying Squirrel (Buswamoyopterus biswasi), 136. Laotian Giant Flying Squirrel (Buswamoyopterus laoensis), 138. Red Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista petaurista), 139. Chinese Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista xanthotis), 140. Red-and-white Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaunista alborufus), 141. Indian Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista philippensis), 142. Gray-headed Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista caniceps), 143. Hodgson’sGiant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista magnificus), 144. Mechuka Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaunrista mechukaensis), 145. Mebo Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista siangensis), 146. Mishmi Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista mishmiensis), 147. Bhutan Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista nobilis)