Showing papers on "Flying squirrel published in 2017"

Ecology and protection of a flagship species, the Siberian flying squirrel

Abstract: Having clear ecological knowledge of protected species is essential for being able to successfully take actions towards conservation, but this knowledge is also crucial for managing and preventing conservation conflicts. For example, the Siberian flying squirrel, Pteromys volans , listed in the EU Habitats Directive and inhabiting mature forests that are also the target for logging, has had a major role in political discussions regarding conservation in Finland. This species has also been well-researched during recent decades, providing knowledge on the ecology and management of the animal. Herein, we review knowledge on habitats, demography, community interactions and spatial ecology of this flagship species. We compare the ecology of flying squirrels with that of other arboreal squirrels, and summarize conservation management and policy related to flying squirrels. Reviewed research on the Siberian flying squirrel shows that the species has many similarities in behaviour to other arboreal squirrels. For instance, arboreal squirrels deviate from the general pattern of male-biased sexual size dimorphism in mammals, which perhaps relates to the mating system of arboreal squirrels. Important differences are found in the response of Siberian flying squirrels to tree mast, i.e. pulsed food resource, compared to that of red squirrels, and in communal nesting behaviour compared to that of North American flying squirrels. The extensive knowledge on dispersal behaviour of the flying squirrel, well-studied habitat associations and the proved need for evidence-based conservation may guide researchers and managers working with other similar species. For conservation, the case of the Siberian flying squirrel demonstrates that habitat protection becomes both ineffective and uneconomical if ecological knowledge is not applied in the conservation planning process. The cost-effective conservation of the species requires both landscape-level conservation planning and flexible conservation options to increase the motivation of land owners for conservation.

Comparing regional forest policy scenarios in terms of predicted suitable habitats for the Siberian flying squirrel (Pteromys volans)

Abstract: Forecasting the potential impacts of forest policies on species of special conservation value is a prerequisite for safeguarding forest biodiversity. In this study, regional forest policy scenarios were compared in terms of predicted habitats suitable for the Siberian flying squirrel (Pteromys volans). To derive both patch- and landscape-scale models to predict species presence in a forest stand, species occurrence data from a systematic field survey covering the whole distribution area of the flying squirrel in Finland and Multi-Source National Forest Inventory data were combined. Then, the Finnish forestry model MELA and the derived occupancy models were applied to predict the quantity of suitable habitats for flying squirrels in three different 50-year policy scenarios. The results confirm that increasing the utilization of felling potential from the level of business-as-usual to the level stated as policy targets in regional forest programs decreases the amount of suitable habitat in the futur...

Influence of trap modifications and environmental predictors on capture success of southern flying squirrels

Abstract: Sherman traps are the most commonly used live traps in studies of small mammals and have been successfully used in the capture of arboreal species such as the southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans). However, southern flying squirrels spend proportionately less time foraging on the ground, which necessitates above-ground trapping methods and modifications of capture protocols. Further, quantitative estimates of the factors affecting capture success of flying squirrel populations have focused solely on effects of trapping methodologies. We developed and evaluated the efficacy of a portable Sherman trap design for capturing southern flying squirrels during 2015–2016 at the Alice L. Kibbe Field Station, Illinois, USA. Additionally, we used logistic regression to quantify potential effects of time-dependent (e.g., weather) and time-independent (e.g., habitat, extrinsic) factors on capture success of southern flying squirrels. We recorded 165 capture events (119 F, 44 M, 2 unknown) using our modified Sherman trap design. Probability of capture success decreased 0.10/1° C increase in daily maximum temperature and by 0.09/unit increase (km/hr) in wind speed. Conversely, probability of capture success increased by 1.2/1° C increase in daily minimum temperature. The probability of capturing flying squirrels was negatively associated with trap orientation. When tree-mounted traps are required, our modified trap design is a safe, efficient, and cost-effective method of capturing animals when moderate weather (temp and wind speed) conditions prevail. Further, we believe that strategic placement of traps (e.g., northeast side of tree) and quantitative information on site-specific (e.g., trap location) characteristics (e.g., topographical features, slope, aspect, climatologic factors) could increase southern flying squirrel capture success. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.

Yushe Squirrels (Sciuridae, Rodentia)

Abstract: Squirrels (Sciuridae) have been rarely recognized among surface finds of Yushe Basin The sciurids described here are small samples of mainly isolated teeth recovered from the fossil deposits of Yushe Basin by screening in 1987 and 1988 with additions from 1991, but include six species from two subfamilies They are Tamias cf T ertemtensis (Qiu 1991), Sciurus sp, Sinotamias sp, Marmota sp of Sciurinae, and Pliopetaurista rugosa Qiu 1991 and Hylopetes yuncuensis sp nov (Pteromyinae) Among these squirrels, three taxa (Tamias cf T ertemtensis, Pliopetaurista rugosa, and Hylopetes yuncuensis) occur in more than one formation, with a temporal interval of 63 Ma to 34 Ma indicated by paleomagnetic stratigraphy Morphological comparisons with species related to the chipmunk and the flying squirrel indicate agreement with a geologic span of late Miocene to early Pliocene for the fossil-bearing beds The Yushe sciurid fauna is most similar in composition to those of Ertemte and Harr Obo of Inner Mongolia, strongly implying chronological similarity and biogeographical affiliation of these assemblages However, the Yushe fauna contains proportionally more arboreal sciurids than the two Inner Mongolian faunas, and lacks the ground squirrel genus Prospermophilus, which is considered indicative of semi-arid grassland and is abundant in the Inner Mongolian faunas This discrepancy highlights ecological distinctions between the Shanxi fauna and Inner Mongolian faunas, Yushe Basin being moister

Comparative hair morphology of the giant flying squirrels Petaurista petaurista, Petaurista magnificus and Petaurista philippensis (Sciuridae: Rodentia: Mammalia)

Abstract: The microscopic hair characteristics of three giant flying squirrel species namely, P. petaurista, P. magnificus and P. philippensis were examined using the optical light microscope at the Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata during January–July 2016. The microscopic characteristics (cuticula and medulla) of hair of three species studied showed similar characteristics, however, the three species can be differentiated by their cross-section of hair viz., ‘oval’, ‘biconvex’ and ‘oblong’ in P. petaurista, P. magnificus and P. philippensis, respectively. The high-resolution photo-micrographs and key characteristics of hair were presented here can be used as an appropriate reference for species identification.

Microscopic hair characteristics of Namdhapa Flying Squirrel Biswamoyopterus biswasi Saha, 1981 (Sciuridae: Rodentia: Mammalia)

Abstract: The microscopic characteristics of dorsal guard hairs of the Namdhapa flying squirrel Biswamoyopterus biswasi were examined using the optical light microscope at the Zoological Survey of India during May 2016. The unique microscopic characteristics such as ‘multicellular’ and ‘multiserial ladder’, the structure of medulla and ‘biconvex’, shape of the cross-section of dorsal guard hair determines the species identity of B. biswasi. The high-resolution photo-micrographs and key characteristics of hair presented here can be used as an appropriate reference for species identification.