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Mutable Sun Squirrel

Heliosciurus mutabilis

French: Ecureuil variable / German: Variables Sonnenhérnchen / Spanish: Ardilla sol mutable

Taxonomy. Sciurus mutabilis Peters, 1852,

“Africa orientalis, Boror, 17° Lat. Austr.,” Mozambique.

Five subspecies are recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

H.m.mutabilisPeters,1852—SMalawiandadjacentMozambique.

H.m.beiraeRoberts,1913—STanzaniaandcoastalMozambique.

H.m.chirindensisRoberts,1913—ChirindaForest(EZimbabwe).

H.m.shirensisGray,1867—S&EZambia,NMalawi,SWTanzania,Mozambique,andSEZimbabwe.

H. m. vumbae Roberts, 1937 — SE Zimbabwe and Mozambique highlands.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 225-7 mm (males) and 231 mm (females), tail mean 235-2 mm (males) and 274 mm (females); weight mean 332-9 g (males) and 382-5 g (females). The Mutable Sun Squirrel has dramatic variation of pelage color between molts in October and May. It generally has paler brown to gray pelage, distinct tail rings, and clear demarcation between grizzled dorsal and pale sparse ventral pelage. Nominate mutabilis has dark brown dorsal pelage and whitish to yellow to grayish ventral pelage. Tail rings are light. Some individuals have dark midline stripe along dorsum from forehead to tail or dark patch on back. Subspecies beirae has distinct light tail rings and white ventral pelage. Venter of chirindensis is buffy white, with ocher tinge, to deep ocher or gray-brown with distinct tail rings. Subspecies shirensis is paler, with white to buff venter, and lacks dorsal black patch; tail has 16 light tail rings. Subspecies vumbae has dark pelage, with uniform ventral and dorsal color; dorsal band is dark and subtler than on other subspecies.

Habitat. Diverse lowland or montane evergreen forests, riparian forests, and thickets in Brachystegia and Julbernardia (both Fabaceae) woodlands.

Food and Feeding. Mutable Sun Squirrels are known to eat fruit of Kigelia (Bignoniaceae) and ivy leaves; they also eat insects and other vegetation.

Breeding. A female Mutable Sun Squirrel from eastern Zimbabwe was pregnant with four young in August.

Activity patterns. The Mutable Sun Squirrel is diurnal and runs quickly among denser branches and canopy. It nests in cavities in trees.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Mutable Sun Squirrel is asocial and is rarely reported in sight of another individual. It nests in tree cavities or thick tangles of vines on high branches.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Mutable Sun Squirrel is widespread, presumably has large populations, and occurs in protected areas. No data are available on population trends. No particular threats have been identified although locally populations may be vulnerable to land-use changes.

Bibliography. Ansell (1960), Happold (2013e), Skinner & Chimimba (2005), Smithers & Wilson (1979), Thor ington et al. (2012).