17.

Sanghir Squirrel

Prosciurillus rosenbergii

French: Ecureuil de Rosenberg / German: Sangihe-Zwerghérnchen / Spanish: Ardilla de Sangihe

Taxonomy. Sciurus rosenbergii Jentink, 1879,

“Sangi-islands, Siao”

Sangi, Indonesia

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Sangihe Is, Indonesia.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 190 mm, tail 180 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. Dorsum of the Sanghir Squirrel is a rich chestnut-brown, venter varies from dark brownish to brownish buff, and tail is blackish. It can be distinguished from other species of similar size by absence of ear tufts, presence of middorsal stripe, and nape patches.

Habitat. Secondary and primary forests, up to elevations of ¢.1000 m and probably higher. The Sanghir Squirrel also inhabits plantations and gardens.

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

Breeding. There is no information available for this species.

Activity patterns. There is no specific information available for this species, but the Sanghir Squirrelis diurnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. In Sangihe Island, population density of the Sanghir Squirrel was estimated to be 1-8 ind/ha in primary forests and lower 0-5 ind/ha in secondary forests.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Sanghir Squirrel is common throughout much ofits distribution and is successful in secondary habitats and cultivated areas. Historical distribution of the Sanghir Squirrel, in the 1800s, was the islands of Sangihe, Siau, Tahulandang, and Ruang. It is doubtful that the distribution is currently this extensive due to high levels of deforestation and habitat conversion.

Bibliography. Chiozza (2008f), Musser et al. (2010), Riley (2002), Thorington et al. (2012).