Dremomys lokriah (Hodgson, 1836)
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6840226 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/064D0660-FFC3-ED3F-FA63-F969FC6EF473 |
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treatment provided by |
Diego |
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scientific name |
Dremomys lokriah |
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Orange-bellied Himalayan Squirrel
French: Ecureuil 4 ventre roux / German: Orangebauch-Himalayahoérnchen / Spanish: Ardilla del Himalaya de vientre naranja
Taxonomy. Sciurus lokriah Hodgson, 1836 ,
“central and Northern regions of Nipal”
(Nepal).
Six subspecies are recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution.
D.l.garonumThomas,1922—NEIndia(GaroHillsandKhasiHillsofMeghalaya)andextremeNEBangladesh.
D.l.motuoensisCaiGuiquan&ZhangNaizhi,1980—SChina(Motuo,ETibet).
D.l.nielamuensisLiJianxiong&WangYingxiang,1992—SChina(Nielamu,CTibet).
D. l. pagus Moore, 1956 — NE India (Lushai Hills of Mizoram) and W Myanmar (Chin Hills). Populations in W Yunnan (China) are of uncertain subspecific affiliation but are likely to be macmillani, nielamuensis or both.
Descriptive notes. Head—body 165-205 mm,tail 135-220 mm; weight 150-200 g. The Orange-bellied Himalayan Squirrel has a dull agouti dorsum and lacks red coloration on cheeks and hips. Ventrally, it is yellow to orangish and lacks a reddish brown perineal patch. Tail hairs are tipped with white; and underside oftail is black, mixed with a few orange hairs. Nominate subspecies lokriah has a brown dorsum, bright orange venter with a pale throat, and no orange at base oftail. Subspecies garonum is similar to lokriah, but venteris paler yellow or ocherous-buff. Subspecies macmillani has a coarsely grizzled olive-gray dorsum; nape and crown are tawnier, with a thin black line extending from nape to lower back; deep ocherous buffy patches behind ears; and a bright buffy venter with a rufous patch in inguinal area and at base oftail. Subspecies motuoensis lacks black mid-dorsal stripe of macmillani, and has a much darker dorsum and venter (a darker yellowish brown dorsally) than other subspecies. Subspecies nielamuensis is smaller than other subspecies, with a pale olive-gray dorsum and a pale yellow or orange venter. Subspecies pagus has pale yellow venter with gray bases of hairsvisible, lacks a rufous anal patch, and usually lacks mid-dorsal black stripe.
Habitat. Subtropical forests and oak-rhododendron (Quercus, Fagaceae; Rhododendron, Ericaceae) forests at low elevations; coniferous forests at high elevations. The Orangebellied Himalayan Squirrel is found at elevations of ¢.900-3000 m. It nests in tree holes that are generally close to the ground; nest is made of oak leaves and fern fronds, lined with grass.
Food and Feeding. The Orange-bellied Himalayan Squirrel commonly feeds on insects, fruits (including those of mistletoe parasitic plants and Pandanus furcatus, Pandanaceae), and fallen nuts and fruits on the ground.
Breeding. Parturition occurs between May and August and litter-sizes of the Orangebellied Himalayan Squirrel are 2-5 young.
Activity patterns. There is no specific information available for this species, but the Orange-bellied Himalayan Ground Squirrel is diurnal.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Orange-bellied Himalayan Ground Squirrel comes to the ground to forage but also spends time in trees.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Orange-bellied Himalayan Squirrel has a wide distribution, a presumed large population, but a declining population trend. It is hunted for meat in India and is threatened by deforestation and habitat fragmentation.
Bibliography. Corbet & Hill (1992), Francis (2008), Jordan etal. (2005c), Li Jianxiong & Wang Yingxiang (1992), Molur (2008d), Moore & Tate (1965), Smith & Yan Xie (2008), Thorington et al. (2012).
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.
