We assessed the distribution and relative abundance of giant squirrels and flying squirrels in the state of Karnataka, India Two species of giant squirrels, the Indian giant squirrel and the grizzled giant squirrel, and two species of flying squirrel, the large brown flying squirrel and the small Travancore flying squirrel, were found to occur in Karnataka Indian giant squirrels and large brown flying squirrels were more widely distributed than the other two species The distributional range included the forests of the Western and Eastern Ghats However, their distribution was confined only to forests with tall trees Indian giant squirrels and large brown flying squirrels occur in both deciduous and evergreen forests Small Travancore flying squirrels occupied high-rainfall evergreen forests on western slopes in the Western Ghats, and the grizzled giant squirrels occupy riverine forests This report of the small Travancore flying squirrel is the first of this species from Karnataka, and this population is the most northern population of its distributional range Hunting was found to be a major threat, and influenced the abundance of all species except the grizzled giant squirrel Hunting was primarily for domestic consumption

New Site Record for Small Travancore Flying Squirrel Petinomys Fuscocapillus Fuscocapillus from Karnataka

Distribution and relative abundance of giant squirrels and flying squirrels in Karnataka, India / Distribution et abondance relative des espèces d'écureuils géants et volants à Karnataka, Inde

Petinomys fuscocapillus, Jerdon 1847, Travancore flying squirrel, is known to occur in the forests of India and Sri Lanka. In spite of extensive surveys very few individuals were recorded in the la...

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Predicting the Potential Distribution and Conservation Needs of Travancore Flying Squirrel, Petinomys fuscocapillus, in Peninsular India and Sri Lanka, using GARP:

Flying squirrels are capable of gliding and one of the least known mammals of the world. Work on these animals is less and sporadic due to their crepuscular and cryptic habits. At the present scenario, a complete pilot study is in an urgent need to formulate conservation strategies and policies to conserve them in India. Therefore, a thorough review on biology and conservation status of flying squirrels in India is provided here. A total of 13 species of flying squirrels present in India i.e., Belomys pearsonii, Biswamoyopterus biswasi, Eupetaurus cinereus, Eoglaucomys fimbriatus, Hylopetes alboniger, Petaurista elegans, P. mishmiensis, P. magnificus, P. mechukaensis, P. nobilis, P. petaurista, P. philippensis and Petinomys fuscocapillus, wherein three are endemic to the country. P. philippensis has broader distribution and is found to be more studied than others. Eastern part of the country contains the highest species number (n = 10) follows three in northern part, two in southern part and one in western part subsequently. All species are facing threat to their population due to native habitat loss, degradation and hunting. Harmonization, alliances and partnership between various stakeholders along with better application of standard techniques would be strengthen to develop conservation strategies and implementing their coordinated actions could preserve flying squirrels’ future in the country landscape.

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Biology and Conservation Status of Flying Squirrels (Pteromyini, Sciuridae, Rodentia) in India: An Update and Review

Petinomys fuscocapillus (Travancore flying squirrel), Jerdon 1847, is a near threatened species, native to India and Sri Lanka. Deforestation, wood plantation, infrastructure development, poaching and natural predators are major threats to the species. This study reports for the first time the molecular phylogenetic position and level of genetic divergence of P. fuscocapillus among the flying squirrel species of South and Southeast Asia, based on two mitochondrial genes. The phylogenetic analysis confirms that the P. fuscocapillus and Petinomys setosus (Temminck’s flying squirrel) are sister taxa and share most recent common ancestry. Phylogenetic position of other flying squirrels obtained in the present study was also supported by the previous studies. We also emphasize on the extensive survey for population sampling, need for plantations to maintain a continuous canopy and enforcement of strict laws at the potential geographical distribution of the species in two countries.

https://www.currentscience.ac.in/Volumes/110/04/0659.pdf

New Site Record for Small Travancore Flying Squirrel Petinomys Fuscocapillus Fuscocapillus from Karnataka

Citations

Distribution and relative abundance of giant squirrels and flying squirrels in Karnataka, India / Distribution et abondance relative des espèces d'écureuils géants et volants à Karnataka, Inde

Predicting the Potential Distribution and Conservation Needs of Travancore Flying Squirrel, Petinomys fuscocapillus, in Peninsular India and Sri Lanka, using GARP:

Biology and Conservation Status of Flying Squirrels (Pteromyini, Sciuridae, Rodentia) in India: An Update and Review

Molecular Phylogeny of Rediscovered Travancore Flying Squirrel ( Petinomys fuscocapillus ) and its Conservation Implications