156.

Black Flying Squirrel

Aeromys tephromelas

French: Polatouche noir / German: Schwarzes Gleithérnchen / Spanish: Ardilla voladora negra

Other common names: Large Black Flying Squirrel

Taxonomy. Pteromys tephromelas Gunther, 1873,

“Wellesley, Penang I, Malaysia.”

Two subspecies are recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

A.t.tephromelasGunther,1873—Thai-MalayPeninsula(includingPenangI),NWSumatra,andSiberutI(offWSumatra).ItmayoccurinNThailand,butreportsareunconfirmed.

A. t. phaeomelas Glinther, 1873 — scattered populations in N, W & E Borneo.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 375-4-385 mm, tail 395-443-5 mm; weight mean 1-1 kg (males) and 1-2 kg (females). The Black Flying Squirrel is large, with naked ears. It is comparable to the Spotted Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista elegans). Nominate tephromelas is dark gray-brown to fully black, with fine pale dorsal flecking; phaeomelas has orange-red pelage; ventral hairs are sparse and slightly paler.

Habitat. Primary, partially cut primary, and secondary tropical forests in lowlands and foothills. The Black Flying Squirrel is often found nearvillages and,less often, in more dense and isolated forests or in clearings with tall trees.

Food and Feeding. Diet of the Black Flying Squirrel consists of seeds, fruits, and other plant matter.

Breeding. Female Black Flying Squirrels only produce single young. Young are fully developed and independent at c. 3-4 months old.

Activity patterns. The Black Flying Squirrel is nocturnal and seeks shelter during the daylight hours in nests within large tree trunk cavities. It is a canopy-dwelling species that moves about treetops foraging for food.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no information available for this species.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List. Little is known about habitat requirements and current status of the Black Flying Squirrel.

If now restricted to lowlands and foothills in Peninsular Malaysia, it could be Near Threatened. Current population trend is unknown. It is said to be adaptable and may be able to persist in degraded habitat unless forest is lost completely. Very little is known about status and habitat requirements of the Black Flying Squirrel and more research is needed before specific threats can be assessed.

Bibliography. Aplin, Lunde et al. (2008), Jackson (2012), Jackson & Thorington (2012), Muul & Liat (1971), Scheibe et al. (2007), Thorington & Darrow (2000), Thorington & Heaney (1981), Thorington & Santana (2007), Thorington, Koprowski et al. (2012), Thorington, Pitassy & Jansa (2002).