Zenkerella insignis Matschie 1898

7.

Cameroon Anomalure

Zenkerella insignis

French: Anomalure aptére / German: Dornschwanzbilch / Spanish: Anomaluro de Camerun

Other common names: Cameroon Scaly-tail, Cameroon Scaly-tailed Squirrel, Flightless Scaly-tailed Squirrel

Taxonomy. Zenkerella insignis Matschie, 1898,

“Kamerun, Afr. Occ., Yaunde” (= Yaoundé, Cameroon, West Africa).

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. C Africa in S Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea (including Bioko I), N Gabon, N & W Republic of the Congo, and SW Central African Republic. It may also occur within DR Congo.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 180-930 mm, tail 150-180 mm; weight 180— 220 g. It is a medium-sized anomalure, but it does not have a gliding membrane. Dorsal surface is slate gray with ochertints; ventral surface is very pale gray. Tail is bushy and black in color, with a terminaltuft.

Habitat. Rainforest and semideciduous forest.

Food and Feeding. There is no information available for this species.

Breeding. There is no information available for this species.

Activity patterns. Some authors suggest that the Cameroon Anomalure is diurnal because it does not glide and gliding rodents tend to be nocturnal. Other authors, however, suggest that it is nocturnal and nests in tree hollows during the day.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no specific information available for this species, but the Cameroon Anomalure appears to be arboreal and ground dwelling.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Deforestation may be a conservation threat in parts of the distribution of the Cameroon Anomalure, although further research is needed to determineits status.

Bibliography. Aellen & Perret (1958), Bates (1905), Happold (1987), Kingdon (1997), Pérez del Val et al. (1995), Roche (1972), Stafford & Thorington (2013c).