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Neotropical pygmy squirrel

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Neotropical Pygmy Squirrel
Temporal range: Recent
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
Order:
Family:
Subfamily:
Sciurillinae

Moore, 1959
Genus:
Sciurillus

Thomas, 1914
Species:
S. pusillus
Binomial name
Sciurillus pusillus
(E. Geoffrey, 1803)
Subspecies[2]
  • S. p. pusillus
  • S. p. glaucinus
  • S. p. kuhlii
Neotropical Pygmy Squirrel

The Neotropical pygmy squirrel (Sciurillus pusillus) is a very small tree squirrel, being the only living species in the genus Sciurillus and the subfamily Sciurillinae. It is found in the lowland rainforests of Brazil, Colombia, Peru, French Guiana, Guyana and Suriname.

Description

The Neotropical pygmy squirrel is the smallest species of tree squirrel native to the Americas, measuring on average just 10 cm (3.9 in) in head-body length, with an 11 cm (4.3 in) tail. Adults weigh from 30 to 48 grams (1.1 to 1.7 oz). The fur is grizzled grey over the body, with paler, but not sharply contrasting, fur on the underparts. The head is slightly reddish, with distinct white markings behind the ears. The limbs are slender, with the forelimbs elongated to assist in climbing. Females have six teats.[3]

Distribution and habitat

The table below lists the three recognized subspecies of Sciurillus pusillus, along with any synonyms associated with each subspecies:[2]


Sciurillus pusillus taxonomy
Subspecies Authority Synonyms
S. p. pusillus E. Geoffroy (1803) none
S. p. glaucinus Thomas (1914) hoehnei
S. p. kuhlii Gray (1867) none

Biology and behaviour

References

  1. ^ Template:IUCN2008
  2. ^ a b Thorington, R.W., Jr.; Hoffmann, R.S. (2005). "Sciurillus pusillus". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: a taxonomic and geographic reference (3rd ed.). The Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 754–818. ISBN 0-8018-8221-4. OCLC 26158608. {{cite book}}: External link in |chapterurl= (help); Unknown parameter |chapterurl= ignored (|chapter-url= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ Jessen, R.R.; et al. (2013). " Sciurillus pusillus (Rodentia: Sciuridae)". Mammalian Species. 45 (903): 75–79. doi:10.1644/903.1. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help)

Bibliography

  • John F Eisenberg and Kent H Redford, 2000. Mammals of the Neotropics: Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil